Volunteering at Glencairn Abbey

This summer, in addition to those women staying with us on “live-in” who are currently discerning their monastic vocation, we were also joined by two wonderful volunteers Jenny Buning and Leo Healy who worked side by side with the sisters in caring for the environment here at the Abbey on our 250 acre property, and in helping to produce our own home-produced monastery eucharist bread which we sell to parishes, monasteries, convents and retreat houses around the country and abroad.

Jenny Buning, who hails from Germany, originally discovered Glencairn through our website and attended a Monastic Experience Weekend at the Abbey. Jenny’s assistance this summer was treasured in tending our Abbey gardens, and despite the bad summer we have had here in Ireland, much of her outdoor work found the sun shining down on her! Our very sincere thanks to Jenny for her great help and presence with us over the summer.

We also wish to warmly thank Leo Healy of Capoquin, Co. Waterford, who offered much of his valuable school holiday time, for his second summer, to assist us at our Eucharist Bread Department at the Abbey. Reflecting on his work experience, Leo discovered the value of monastic work and the Cistercian balance of communal work done in simplicity and silence… “I found working here to be very relaxing and it gave me time to think. Every time I went into the Eucharistic Bread Department I was greeted with a smile. Working with the sisters was very rewarding.”

We wish both Jenny and Leo every reward and blessing as they return to their studies this autumn term. We continue to pray for them as we also pray for all those who are currently discerning their vocation at Glencairn.

Photo: Leo and Sister Fiachra at Glencairn Eucharist Bread, summer 2012

You may also be interested in participating in our volunteering programme and to experience monastic life here at Glencairn Abbey. If so, please contact: info@glencairnabbey.org

Our next Monastic Experience Weekend for women discerning their monastic vocation will take place: 26-28 October, 2012. Please contact Sr. Sarah at: vocations@glencairnabbey.org