🟡 The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (CBS) was founded in 1862 as part of the Catholic Revival in the Church of England. Its aim was to be, first of all, a confraternity of men and women praying and working for a greater devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Today it is no longer confined to England alone but has spread to many places within the Anglican Communion of churches, especially in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and parts of Africa. There is a separate, self-governing CBS in the USA. Wherever possible members of CBS meet together in local Wards for prayer, worship and mutual support under the guidance of a priest as Ward Superior. We honour Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in other ways too: Mass said daily, Holy Hours are prayed, and Benediction is celebrated regularly in many of our churches. There is an increasing emphasis on mission in CBS's work: "We have a Gospel to proclaim", says the famous hymn, and there are many ways to proclaim it in Word and Sacrament.We need more priests to celebrate Mass, but we also need to promote the mission of the Church through the whole people of God by equipping them (you) for service. Please pray for our work for, at heart we remain a devotional society, focussing on Christ's very own gift to us of His Body, the Blessed Sacrament, the sacrament of Unity. The Confraternity is established for the advancement of the catholic faith in the Anglican Tradition and in particular to promote:
· The honour due to Jesus Christ our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood,
· Prayer for one another at the Eucharist,
· Careful preparation for and reception of Holy Communion, including the Eucharistic fast,
· The reverent and dignified celebration of the Eucharist and the reservation and veneration of the Blessed Sacrament,
· The continuance of the catholic priesthood, and catholic theological teaching, learning and development.
At heart we are a devotional society, a group of people seeking to live the Christian life, drawn together by common prayer that finds its unity in Jesus Christ. We have a love for Jesus in the the Blessed Sacrament that we seek to demonstrate by the reverence we show Him and the cause we promote. Everything else flows from that. Our members receive regular lists of Intercessions to hold us together in prayer. A Ward is formed of a group of people, usually in a parish setting, or sometimes a wider area, who come together each month for an act of worship, devotion or study.
Confraternity website: https://www.confraternity.org.uk
Ward of the Stigmata of St Francis, Bournemouth
The Ward was formed at St Francis Church, Charminster, Bournemouth, and observes the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis on or close to the 17th September. Meetings of the Ward are held at St Francis' Church and at St Ambrose Church and are usually followed by wine/juice and nibbles while socialising, discussing any business, and chatting about topical church matters. The Ward Superior is Fr Robin Nash (former Vicar of St Alban's, Charminster and St Luke's, Winton, in Bournemouth) and will be pleased to give further information if required: Rev Robin L Nash, BA, 6 Shreen Way, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4EL; telephone: (01747) 823183; or email: [email protected]
🟡 To: CBS, the Ward of the Stigmata of St Francis, Bournemouth.
Monday 21 March 2022
Dear Associates and friends,
A reminder that our next gathering is on Wednesday 06 April, 7:00pm at St Ambrose’ Church, for a joint Eucharist with members of the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, with wine / fruit juice and nibbles afterwards as usual.
Clergy are invited to wear “choir dress”: cassock, cotta and (as we will still be in Lent) purple stole.
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 06 April, but please let me know if you are unable to attend.
With very best wishes.
Kindest regards,
Robin
Fr Robin Nash
01747 82 31 83
6 Shreen Way
GILLINGHAM
Dorset
SP8 4EL
[email protected]
Quarters [1] : assigned lodgings or billet.
Quarters [2] : duty post or action stations.