Oblate News
2025-2026 Oblate Program:
This year’s theme is Stability, a cornerstone of Benedictine life and a timely focus, given the current political, economic, and technological threats to stability in the world today. To accompany our theme and facilitate discussion, we selected author Nathan Oates’ book, Stability: How an Ancient Monastic Process can Restore our Relationships, Churches, and Communities to read together over the first months of our season.
OBLATE OCCURRENCES OCTOBER 2025
“Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness” says the poet, and Oblates begin the fall season with many activities. On September 2, we gathered in the Abbey Church for Compline and welcomed three new Observers, received three second year Novices, and heard the promises of one new Profession: Mary Lou Tierney (Julian of Norwich obl OSB). The rest of us renewed our Oblate promises, and went on to respective meetings: formation and first gathering.
The theme for the 2025-26 year is Stability. Using Nathan Oates’s book of the same name, we have outlined chapters and distributed study questions to guide us in group discussions through October and November meetings. We also look forward to several activities and speakers as the year goes on. For example, a Day of Reflection on December 6, and a presentation on Peacemaking on January 25, 2026. On February 3, 2026, co-author of ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ELECTRIC SHEEP, Sean O’Callaghan, will discuss stability and artificial intelligence. This event is open to the entire Abbey community and the public.
In the interim, the Abbey offers a day-long talk on mystic Julian of Norwich on Wednesday October 22 from 9:30am-3:30pm. On Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 am-4:00pm, Oblate Mary Lou Tierney presents a workshop on leadership, team building, and AI. (Cost $75 and includes lunch).
We encourage Oblates as well as Abbey community members to participate in as many of these events as possible.
Remembering all our Oblates in prayer, we ask your remembrance of us as well.
PEACE from the Oblate Steering Committee:
Jon Regan, Louise Deutsch, Carolyn Carpenter, Barbara Mirabito, Carol Stanton, Oblate Director: Fr Albrecht Nyce.
[submitted 9/30/25 by Louise Deutsch]
SAVE THE DATES 2026
Sunday January 26: Glastonbury Abbey Institute presents Oblates Steven Tumolo and Julene Tegerstrand on Stability and Peace.
Tuesday February 3: Oblate community presents author Sean O’Callaghan (AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep) on Stability and Artificial Intelligence hosted by Oblate Carol Stanton and the Abbey.
For inquiries, please click here to email and a Steering Committee member will get back to you. Oblates meet the first Tuesday of every month September through July starting with Compline at 7:15 PM in the church, followed by our 7:30 PM hybrid meeting.
