BBC 2 TV: The Monastery / The Convent
Invite Your Neighbours And Friends To A ‘Convent’ Night!
Image: Copyright Poor Clares, Arundel 2006
Remember BBC 2’s The Monastery?
Thousands of people enquired about Catholic life and beliefs in the wake of the programmes. They presented every parish with a wonderful evangelisation opportunity… and now the Sisters are joining in! The Poor Clares in Arundel have opened their doors to four women who spent forty days and nights in a world centred on prayer and without materials possessions. Why not invite people round to watch the programmes with you? CASE has created some free The Convent materials for non-Catholic enquirers.
The transmission dates are: 14th, 21st, 28th June and 5th July. For more information please contact: CASE, 114 West Heath Road, London NW3 7TX.
Tel: 020 8458 3316
Email: info@caseresources.org.uk
Website: www.life4seekers.co.uk/TheConvent.htm
Don't miss the follow-up programme titled The Monastery Revisited which will be transmitted on BBC 2 on Wednesday June 7th!
See our dedicated Monastery page at: www.life4seekers.co.uk; a The Convent equivalent will follow soon.
Please consider using these television opportunities evangelistically. We have free resources available which can be given to non-Catholic friends, family members and work colleagues. Please email here if you would like to receive a sample pack.
As a Catholic community let's use this series as a tool of evangelisation! There is now a unique opportunity for non-Catholics to experience 'The Monastery' for themselves. Why not invite a friend or neighbour to attend a residential 'Catholic Experience' weekend? (Photograph copyright Tiger Aspect/BBC 2005)
The press release reads:
"Finding there aren’t enough hours in the day? Stressed? Needing space? A series of tailor-made events are being offered for spiritual seekers this summer which are designed to cater for those seeking a break from, and a deeper meaning to, modern living.
In response to the BBC 2’s popular ‘reality television’ series ‘The Monastery’, two Roman Catholic venues are offering residential events for people wanting to experience authentic spirituality..."
The weekend is being run from June 3rd - 5th 2005. Click here for more information.
Free Monastery Resources
CASE Press Release 1 : BBC 2 TV Programme Poised to Stimulate Record Interest in Catholic Church 
CASE Press Release 2: Experience The Monastery for yourself
The Monastery leaflet - a free leaflet for viewers who want to know more. 
What is a Catholic? leaflet - a free leaflet for viewers about the Catholic faith.
The Path to Self-Discovery and New Life - a free fact sheet about personal vocation produced by the National Office for Vocation in response to the programmes.
Coming soon...'Me a monk or nun?' - a free information sheet providing more information about becomming a monk or nun.
A brand new Monastery web site has been created as a resource for viewers. Read for yourself Tony's remarkable story of being brought from the fringes of the soft-porn industry to a monastery. Please see: http://www.worthabbey.net/
Recommended reading - this sheet lists some useful reading materials which relate to some of the spiritual themes which run through the series.
Seekers' Prayer - would you like to say a prayer but are not sure how? Are you wondering if God really exists and if he is really there?
Schools Resources
Lesson Presentation on vocation 16-17 years 
Vocation Materials for Young People 16-17
Worksheet aimed at post 16s
(Produced by The Jerusalem Trust who are an ecumenical body working in partnership with The Monastery follow-up team.)
Vocation Materials for University
Testimonies
Who becomes a monk or a nun? Why do they do it? What sustains them?
- Read Sr Hyacinthe's story
- Br Ben shares his reasons for giving his life totally to God as a member of a religious community for men.
- Sister Marianne provides an insight into what gives her life
Other stories to follow... - Br Brian left a live in academia to respond to a deep calling to live totally for God
The Volunteers
A book has just been published about Gary's life. Read about what led him to seek sanctuary at Worth Abbey.
Me And My Bleeding Mouth - A synopsis.
Experience The Monastery for yourself
1) The community at Worth Abbey are offering viewers the chance to experience monastic prayer first hand by inviting them to attend Evening Prayers (known as Vespers) at the Abbey on the three Sunday’s following the broadcasts; May 15th, 22nd, 29th. The gathering will start at 5.30pm with a welcome and introduction from the Abbot Jamison. For more information please contact: Monastery Enquiries, PO Box 916, Worth Abbey, Crawley, RH10 4WT.
E-Mail: themonastery@worthabbey.net
Website: www.worthabbey.net
You can also spend a residential week-end at Worth Abbey. Please see this link to the pdf flier.
2) For those living in Wales and the North of England there is an opportunity to spend a week-end at the Franciscan Friary at Pantasaph. The name of a the gathering will be A Catholic Experience Week-End, June 3rd- 5th. This week-end is donation only and non-residential participants are also welcome. For more information please click here. (pdf)
3) For a guide to places of interest for spiritual renewal and relaxation please see: Places to Visit 2005.
This is a special publication available from: Gabriel Communications
Ltd, First Floor, St James's Buildings, Oxford Street, Manchester. M1
6FP. Tel. 0161 236 8856, Email: advertising@the-universe.net
*Additional retreat opportunities can be found in Benedictine Monasteries across the U.K. For more information, please click here.
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