The Niland Conference Centre News Rosary Priory, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey Heath, Bushey, Herts WD23 4EE Telephone 020 8950 4000 E-mail: [email protected]

Greetings and Blessings for 2011 from the Niland Conference Centre Team Co-ordinator: Adminstrator:

Sr. Marie-Henry Keane OP Mrs. Caroline McNiff Sr. Amy Dunne OP Sr. Annette McGarry OP Sr. Frances Hayes OP Sr. Nadia Popach OP Sr. Regina McGarry OP

2010 Topped and Tailed by the Cold White Stuff! Abundant and widespread snow meant we had a slow start to the year at the Niland Conference Centre. Although we had several bookings for early January many groups and individuals had to cancel because of the treacherous travelling conditions. Nevertheless in the end about four hundred people came later in the month. Over the year about five thousand people participated in a wide variety of programmes ranging from the Spiritual to Health and Social Services, Conferences and Education. The Centre continues to prove a popular venue for individuals and groups. In October our new Website was launched. Our site address is: www.nilandconferencecentre.co.uk

The Sisters organised many events during the year. As well as our regular Days of Reflection we had an excellent day on Climate Change in April led by Kevin McCullough from CAFOD, and an Introductory Day on Racial Justice by a team from CARJ (Catholic Association for Racial Justice). In the coming year we hope to offer additional days to further sensitise us to the vulnerable and marginalised in our society and the world. We organised a Day for Religious on the Prophetic Dimension of Religious Life, led by Sr. Camilla Burns SND In April we had an excellent illustrated talk by Midge Wax on the artist Marc Chagall. The main talk was a ‘tour’ of Chagall’s paintings. Our speaker then introduced us to one of Britain’s best kept treasure secrets, Chagall’s stained glass windows in the little church in Tudeley, Kent. Well worth braving the M25 to visit! An evening of music, classical and folk, raised funds for The Denis Hurley Centre for the Poor in South Africa. The year ended as it began, in a white blanket of snow. Fortunately this happened after the Centre closed for the Christmas Holiday. Sr. Regina OP CAFOD DAY ON CLIMATE CHANGE Kevin McCullough, Head of Campaigns at CAFOD, was himself present in Copenhagen at the COP 15 Conference on Climate Change. I met him there and knew that he would be able to lead an interesting and informative day on Climate Change at the Niland Conference Centre. Sr. Regina and I arranged with Kevin to come on Saturday, 10 April. He prepared an inspiring, fact filled and gripping PowerPoint presentation which helped all of us to understand the facts of climate change and the impli-

cations for very poor people affected by theses changes. We had a very good question and answer session and he gave encouragement to the efforts being made by the people present to preserve the planet. All were very happy with the day. Sr. Mary Alphonsus OP MARC CHAGALL The man and his art: 97 years of artistry Earlier this year I was delighted to be invited to give a talk at the Niland Conference Centre, Rosary Priory, on the subject of the Russian/ Jewish artist Marc Chagall. Apart from the lovely and unique surroundings and the very special audience, I felt that the whole atmosphere was one filled with a great desire to learn, to hear about the life, and to see the works of my favourite artist. Marc Chagall, apart from his Circus paintings which I didn’t have time to talk about, almost always had something of a religious theme to his works, so it meant so much to be with those who would truly understand. It was all the more meaningful for me because of my son’s connection with Rosary Priory, and the fact that my wife Myrna had attended school there. Bless you and thank you for inviting me. Mitch Wax Friends of the Congregation Gathering On Saturday, 2 October, we had one of our favourite days at the Niland Conference Centre, our annual Friends of the Congregation Gathering. Despite indifferent weather, friends flocked from near and far, about ninety of us. We had several messages

of regret from many friends who were not free to attend. Sr. Marie-Henry’s topic for our Talk, a reflection on Matisse’s Rosary Chapel in Vence, was an inspired choice. Matisse, a hedonistic atheist and Sr. Jacques-Marie, A Dominican, developed an unlikely yet deep friendship. A friendship so beautiful that Matisse gifted the Dominican Sisters with the creation of what he considered his masterpiece, the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence. For us Dominicans, we were celebrating the gift of our friends, a gift as Sr. Ann said in her opening welcome, that enriches and helps shape who we are. Afternoon tea together gave us plenty of time to catch up on each others’ news. The very heavy rain that seems to be part of most days recently did nothing to dampen our spirits and most were able to join the Rosary Priory community for Evening Prayer in the convent chapel at the end of our gathering. Sr. Regina OP

Evening Prayer in the Convent Chapel

Friends’ Day 2010 For the friends of the Dominicans, the annual open day at the Niland Conference Centre is always an occasion to look forward to, for meeting old friends and making new ones; for catching up with the news of friends and family, while enjoying the generous hospitality of the Sisters who provide a continuous flow of tea and coffee together with a variety of delicious comestibles which all can enjoy to their hearts’ content. We then move on to the lecture hall where there is always a talk or a lecture by a well-known speaker. This year we heard the fascinating and true story of how the Sisters at the Dominican Convent in the town of Vence on the French Riviera persuaded the renowned artist Henri Matisse, who lived in the vicinity, to decorate their new chapel of the Rosary. The story was presented, with PowerPoint illustration, by Sr Marie-Henry Keane with her usual vigour, energy and inimitable style. It was a performance that will be long remembered. Paul Pinto Advent Readings and Songs On Saturday 27 November a group of about thirty hardy people braved the freezing night temperatures to come to a Ceremony of Advent Readings, Songs and Carols with Sr Avril Foster OP at the Niland Conference Centre. The themes reflected not only the waiting expectancy of Advent, looking to its joyous conclusion at Christmas, but also the darker side of Christ's time on earth: that the force of evil and the necessity for repentance are also part of the awareness of our preparation for his coming. Readings were read by several of the Sisters, and included passages from Isaiah and poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins, John Betjeman and Robert Graves, and the songs ranged from the traditional Advent carol O come, O come Emmanuel to more recent arrangements by John Bell. The evening concluded with

refreshments. Donations were received for St Mungo's, the charity supporting London's Homeless. Sr. Avril OP Stained glass windows in the Niland Conference Centre

As soon as visitors come through the main door they see the three panelled stained glass window. It has a story to tell about the origins and on going life of the Dominican Sisters of Newcastle Natal South Africa, where our foundress, Rose Niland, began her ministry of education in 1886. The left hand panel shows St. Dominic’s Academy, Natal. For over a hundred years girls who have been educated at St. Dominic’s school have gone on to make significant contributions to South African life. Since the Academy was in a rural area where the local people were generally poor and needy, their life of poverty evoked from the Sisters a desire to be of service to them in their need. The right panel is set in England with Caldecote Towers and Rosary Priory in the background. A Sister carries a globe for, as the flags of South Africa, England, Ireland, Holland, USA, Canada, Liberia, the Caribbean, Ethiopia and Italy show, our mission was to expand over many countries. The Windows were designed and executed by Steve Collins.

Outside the main entrance of the Centre there is a small stained glass window in memory of Mr. Denis Bridge, the Centre’s architect. He had served our Congregation well for many years. The Bridge family donated the window to the Centre. The fish motif is a reminder of the architect’s love of the skill and artistry of the fisherman. Sr. Marie-Henry Keane OP

Visitors’ comments: “So enjoy coming to this place! Being able to participate in the talk – with prayer and singing I find good.” Rosemary “I have been coming to the Niland Conference Centre since 2000. First for afternoon sessions with Sr. Regina and then for most of the Reflection Days. They are most uplifting and I go away with so much peace and a lot to think about.” Ouida “An Excellent day – thank you.” Maureen “Thank you so much for the inspirational day of reflection to help us on our journey through Advent. It is such a joy to come to these quiet days and to take time to ponder.” Patricia

Future Dates: Saturday 12th March 2011 — Gospel of St. Matthew Saturday 26th March 2011 — Sacred Poetry, including Psalms Tuesday 29th March 2011 — Lenten Day of Reflection Saturday 2nd April 2011 — Day for Religious Wednesday 11th May 2011 — Vatican Council II Tuesday 7th June 2011 — Resurrection to Pentecost Saturday 1st October 2011 — Friends of the Congregation For details go to: www.nilandconferencecentre.co.uk The Niland Conference Centre Facilities The Niland Conference Centre is a single-storey building in spacious grounds. It is wheelchair accessible and limited free parking is available. Wifi is available throughout the centre.

The Conference Room Accommodates 100 people with comfortable seating. An induction loop is provided for hearing impaired people.

The Newcastle and Lima Room Accommodates up to 60 people.

The Siena Room Accommodates up to 10 people.

Equipment available by arrangement •

Projection Screen

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Digital projectors

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Flipcharts

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DC/DVD/Video Player