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Development of Hospitality

An increasing number of priests were coming on retreat to Minster, and so in 2005 the community decided to create accommodation for visiting priests by transforming a disused garage/coal cellar into a small flat. The new room was named St. Theodore’s, after the 8th century Archbishop of Canterbury who consecrated St. Mildred.

The New Bethany Wing

In 2006 the “Bethany Wing” extension of the Guest House was opened. This enabled the community to accommodate people with disabilities and to welcome a greater number of individual guests and groups.

For more than thirty years the community of Minster have welcomed families of people with disabilities for an annual retreat. Contacts with L’Arche communities have been important for the community. The Sisters are blessed by those whom they welcome either for retreats, a time of rest or seeking a deeper experience of God in their lives.

Conversion of the Old Oast House

In 2009 the newly renovated grange barn and grounds were opened to the public as part of the hospitality offered by the community at Minster Abbey. The area was renamed “Parkminster”. These facilities for larger day groups have been in great demand and several charities and many volunteers including school groups have helped with the maintenance of the grounds there over the years.

In 2014 the Sisters welcomed Looking Ahead, a local organisation that offers work training skills for adults with learning needs. Looking Ahead run a wonderful café in the converted barn, take care of the grounds, make crafts to sell and offer a variety of art courses for the local community.

The community opened a photographic exhibition of the past 75 years of monastic life at Minster, in the Parkminster grange in 2012. The history of Minster Abbey and the life of the community over the years were presented through photographs, a video and music. This exhibition is part of the sister’s 75th anniversary celebration, offering the public an opportunity get to know the history and life of the Minster Abbey Community.