On the 5th August we held our late brother Ian Gardner’s funeral. Fr Bob and I attended as part of the congregation and Fr John O’Connor concelebrated ,so there was a distinct Dominican presence. This was fortunate because it was clearly apparent how much the Order had meant to Ian. He was buried in the
Congratulations to Fernanda Mee of Crawley Fraternity, who has been awarded a doctorate in Theology by St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Fernanda’s subject was ‘From Familaris Consortio to Amoris Laetitia, the family as domestic church’. She is pictured celebrating with her family.
Ian William Gardner was a leading member of the Oxford Lay Dominicans before many of us joined but we have been praying for him regularly. Ian made a significant contribution to our Order. Ian’s spiritual name was Br Reginald. He was admitted into the Oxford Fraternity in 1960, temporarily professed in 1961 and permanently professed
The Lay Dominicans of our Province met at Ushaw, Durham from 17-19 July for a Chapter meeting. All our 14 groups were represented, and we were joined by some of our Religious Assistants, our Provincial Promoter of the Laity, fr. Thomas Mannion OP and the Promoter of the Laity for the Order, fr. Cristóbal Torres,
Congratulations to Ted Patulan who was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, by Bishop Stephen Wright, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle today. Ted is a Lay Dominican in North East Fraternity, and he is pictured with Bishop Stephen, and with Andy, Christine, Gavin and Margaret of North East
On 14 June London Fraternity celebrated temporary and final professions at St. Dominic’s Church, the Rosary Shrine. Congratulations to Karolina Haley and Lynne Leeder who made their final professions, to Anne Burke-Gaffney and Mary Antonisamy who made temporary profession and to Alessandro Lorenzetti who extended his temporary profession. Please keep them, and everyone in London
It is with great joy that we announce that Joseph Yates made his perpetual profession at Blackfriars Oxford on 10th May 2026. Please keep Joseph in your prayers.
Congratulations to Luke who was admitted today into our Leicester group. Luke is pictured with Peter Kilty, the President of the group and fr. Richard Ounsworth OP.
Two Cambridge fraternity members made their first profession at Blackfriars on 6th June. They are Emilie Louvet and Howard Trust (see photograph). Fr Colin Carr and Cambridge Fraternity President, Ian Herbertson led the ceremony. The Cambridge fraternity held its annual Day of Recollection at Clare Priory on 2nd May and on that day admitted Najra Crespin
Thinking Faith is a week-long summer retreat at Boarbank Hall, Cumbria, for working-age Catholics in need of a break! It runs from 1st to 8th August 2026. Boarbank Hall is near Grange-over-Sands, overlooking Morecambe Bay. Thinking Faith was started 21 years ago by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA with assistance from former members of the Lay Community of Blackfriars, Cambridge and several Dominican
