Dear friends and supporters of the Cenacolo Community UK. On behalf of the Trustees I want to share with you the sad news from Italy that the decision has been made that the temporary closure to our house in September 2020 will now be a permanent closure. The house at Dodding Green will not re-open as a Cenacolo Community. We have attached a copy of the letter sent from Don Stefano which gives the explanation for this decision.
Those of you who have been lucky enough to have shared in the Open Days or met the lads at Dodding Green will know that the house is a special place. It is sad that the house will not reopen as a Cenacolo Community but we are sure there will be a good future for the house. The Cenacolo Community were custodian’s of the house since 2005. In this time many lives have been saved, and families have experienced God’s love, reconciliation and healing. The Cenacolo Community have only been a small part in the history of the house which has been a place of prayer dating back to 16th Century. As well as praying for the Cenacolo Community, please pray for the trustees of the Stephenson Trust. They are the group that own the property and will need to discern what the next chapter holds for Dodding Green.
It is important to finish on the fact that there is still good news and hope. Whilst the house will not be able to welcome new guys the charity, Cenacolo Community UK (formerly Friends for a UK Cenacolo) continues. There are still the 6 meeting points supporting men, women and their families and friends. Details for the meeting points at Carfin, Kendal, Liverpool, North Wales, Birmingham and London are on the website. In the last couple of months we have been able to prepare and support 2 men to enter into the Cenacolo Community direct to the house in Knock, Ireland. The situation to support women who want to enter Cenacolo remains unchanged. Women are supported to learn more about life in the Cenacolo Community and are prepared and supported to enter direct to Italy or Medjugorje.
Once we have more information about the visit to the UK by Don Andrea and others from ‘the Heart of the Community’ we will share this. There will be an opportunity to meet, share stories and give thanks for this work of the Holy Spirit.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Pray for Us
Mary Mother of Cenacolo Pray for Us
United in Prayer
Chris D’Arcy
Chair of Trustees
Cenacolo UK 