© 2005 - 2008 Friends of Augustine

Lay Groups - England & Scotland

Rome Lay Conference 2006

National Conference: Boarbank Hall Jan 2008

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If this is your first visit to our web site you may not know who Augustine is never mind who are his “friends”. Briefly; Augustine is St Augustine of Hippo, born in 354 AD and one of the “Fathers of the (Christian) Church”. “Friends of Augustine” are lay people, often but not exclusively, parishioners of an “Augustinian” community led Church.

You (Lord) alone are always present, even to those who have set themselves apart from you.

Friends of Augustine  National Meeting         25th-27th Jan 2008

We were given a very warm welcome and hospitality by The Canonesses of St Augustine in Cumbria at Boarbank Hall. The programme is still available in .pdf format.

Speakers:

Fr Martin Nolan OSA gave a series of talks on “The Birth of Jesus in Eternity, in in Time and in You”. “What does it avail me that this birth is always happening if it doesn’t happen in me?” - St Augustine.

Sr Margaret Atkins CRSA gave a talk on “Augustine’s Life in Art” with the aid of slides and prints of:

1) Panel paintings depicting St. Augustine’s life. These paintings had lain hidden from public view for many years in Carlisle cathedral.  

2) Fresco's by  in the San Agostino church in San Gimignano, Tuscany.

A list of references were made available for further reading.

 

On Saturday we were joined by Fr John Byrne OSA and Bernadette Toal from the Orlagh Retreat Centre near Dublin. Bernadette, our representative on the OSA International Lay Committee, brought information on the Word on Web Lent programme 2008, a live web-based interactive faith development via Pod cast and web conferencing.  Information was also made available about the “One World Week With Augustine” - “WWWA” 11 - 18th May 2008: A proposal to bring people together to explore the Spirituality of St Augustine via the theme of Friendship.

 

We had two meetings on the way forward. It was agreed we will continue with two meetings a year, possibly alternating between Clare Priory and Boarbank Hall as venues. We all felt that we knew each other a lot better, and got on very well. Communications between groups was felt as vital as ever and all groups agreed to inform  each other of their activities. The format of the meetings; talks on St Augustine and individual groups’ plans was felt to be correct and the need to reach out internationally, Holland last year and Ireland via Bernadette this meeting.

 

For photographs and links to documents click here.

 

 

Pope Benedict speaks on Augustine

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Next Friends of Augustine National Meeting -

CLARE PRIORY  5th - 7th September 2008