Nunc Dimittis Report - Hyning 2023

In the beautiful setting of the monastery of Our Lady of Hyning near Carnforth in late May, a motley crew of very different people gathered to look at what lies ahead for us at the later stage of our lives - what is this thing called “old age”?  A time of “mature years”?  A time of grace?  Can we, like Simeon and Anna, embrace the inevitable and learn to go in peace, back to the source from which we came?  Are we ready?  Do we even look forward to “going home”?  How can we do that?

Many of us were regular CPW members who had enjoyed all sorts of weeks over our lives – both Mary Mather and I started out on our CPW journey as teenagers way back in the late 1950s…!   

To meet up again with old friends at this later stage in life was a great joy and blessing as we looked at one another and recognised the myriad aches and pains that flesh is heir to, that we have to embrace along with all that goes with them ..(time commiserating at the bar in the evening was a great healer!).  

The Sisters welcomed us so warmly, made us so comfortable and fed us so well (in spite of our varied forms of vegetarian/vegan isms…! ) We were cared for in many courteous little ways - the venue itself is very comfortable, but hot water bottles provided on tap is most definitely a mark of care and consideration.

Our team Vin, Sue, Anna, Tim and Teresa invited us to look at again - or maybe really for the first time - at our perceptions of old age and the reality of it through art and music (Vin) - I was struck by Rembrandt’s self-portraits, how, in his final portrait of himself in old age, his face appeared to be so baby-like - as though he’ d come full circle; is that what we do?, come full circle, back to the Creator who formed us and who made us for Him/Her self? Teresa invited us then to explore our rich scriptural heritage with “a time for everything“ amid biblical characters; Simeon and Anna who had to practise learning to live in the hope given to them, as we so often have to do; Abraham and Sarah - boy, did they have to embrace a new way of life..?? How often have our own lives reflected God’s plan for us as it did for them?  

Fr. Tim then asked us to look at how we care for the dying, explaining how his own pastoral community cares for those entrusted to them - trust not just as “a duty of care” but as a part of what our living out of our faith means in practice, reflecting on his own experience of being a carer.  All fleshed out, awash with wonderful music and liturgies which included us all, making us aware of the love and devotion in the care of many in our group.  

I felt strongly that the team encouraged and inspired us to be part of some very moving liturgy - the requiem mass in which we remembered especially past friends we’ve met and known through CPW, the special Mass of Anointing and the invitation to look forward to what “eye has not seen - the wonder of resurrection into new life”.

Throughout our week Sue and Anna cared for us constantly, ensuring our comfort and encouraging us to relish our few days together. Our “Book Club and Bar”, and “With Great Pleasure” evenings went down a treat.

We are, after all, in this together - thank God - we are not alone. We have life, love in its many forms and our God to go home to.

(Ros Appleby)