Benedictine Monks TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT for the financial ye8r ended 31 December 2024 The trustees present th8ir Trustees. Annual Report. wmbining the Directors, R8POrt and Trustees, Report, and the audited financial statements for the fln8ncl81 year ended 31 Decemb8r 2024. The financial statements are prepared in accordance wtlh the FRS 102 'The Financial Roporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland" and Accounllng and Reporting by Charities.. Slalemenl of Recommended Practice applicabl8 to charllles preparing their financial slatemants in accordanc8 wlth the Flnanclal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021- The TN$tees' Report contains the information requlred lo be provlded in the Trustees, Annual Report under the Slalement of Recommended Practice ISORPI guidelines. In this report tha Iruslees of Benedictine IAonks present summary of ils purpose, governance, activities. achievements and finances for the financial year 31 Dec8mber 2024. The charity is a registered charity and although not obliged lo comply with the Slalemenl of R8comm8nd8d Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102, the organisation has implemented its recommendations where relevant In th8s8 flnan¢lal slalomenls. Mlsslon. ObJ•ctivo$ and Stratogy Mlssion Stalom•nt Th8 BenediGline Monks arrived in Northern Ireland In 1998 in response to a call addressed by the Church lo monasterles of conlemplalive Ilf8 lo engage themselves In the mlsslon of splritual ocum8nism, rooted in prayer, conversion of h68rt and charity, to serve in those corners of the worfd wher6 Chrlstl8n$ arg divided. A gSft of land In the Roslrevor area enabled th8 building of a monastery adapted to the particular needs of the Community and the aims of ils mlssion. The community moved into the monaslgry in 2004. The Foundation Decree of the monastery slates. The aim of the Community of Holy Cross Monastery is to live the monastic life, according lo the charism of our Benedlcline Congregallon of Salnl Mary of Monte Oliveto. Our partlcular mlsslon Is to contrlbute lo reconciliation beeen Calholics and Prolestanls In a land mark*d by r¢Gipro¢al violence and stained by the blood of Christian brothers and sisters." Tha Benedlctlnè Monks - R051rgvor are a charllable trust, established by a trust deèd dated 30 December 2001. On 26th January 2017, the Trust was registered as a charity wllh the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland and given the regislrallon number NIC105757. For tax purpo8e8, the Trust Is also r8glstered wlth HM Revenue and Cu$lom$ (reference number XR298201. The oblecl of the Charlty is to safeguard and promot8 the monastlc Ilfe of the Community. glving special attentlon to Its ministry of reconciliation 88 oullin6d in the foundation decree of Holy Cross Monastery. The Trust also ha8 for purpose lo heighten awareness of the Community's variou5 iniliatlves and activities and to raise funds for the Implemonlallon thereof. Objectlves The prlncipal objeGtives of the Charity are: 1. The advanMent of r8llglon. The eslabllshment of the monaslio community al Holy Cross Abbey provldes for the splrltual, physlcal and mental well-belng of the monks of Holy Cross Abbey, its oblates {associal8s1 and the wlder communlty Ihat Is served by the monks of the abb8y who conduct and promote the celebration of religious 5grvi¢gs such as public Eucharist and the Divine Office Ililurgical pray8r of the Church}- Prayer of intercession is a key element of the58 services offering a spiritual support to the many people who confide their intentions lo thg monastic community. The main pastoral activity of the abbey consists in welcoming guests who com& for worship, retreats and onfeiences, in groups or as Indlvlduals. By these services the guests benefit spiritually through the development of an ethos whith shapes their beliefs and behavlour provldlng them wlth a sense of purpose and spur lo service in the wider Community. 2. The adv8ncem6nl of conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of r81igious harmony The Charity has as its particular purpose the promollon of reconciliation arising from its commitment to the values of the Christian Gospel. The monks engage in ecumenical outreach, slrènglhening relationshlps with other denominations and promoting ecumenical and cross-community links. The means used to fulfil the purposes of the Trust are constandy monitored and revi6wed in order to ensure that the principal aims and objectives of the charity are adhered lo.
Benedictine Monks TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 The Trustees confirm they have complied with the requirements of Section 4161 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by th8 Charities Commission for Northern Ireland in determining tho aclivitifjs undertak$n by the Charity. Throughout this Annual Report the Trustees seek to demonstrate Ihat the Charity's aims and objectives are for the public benefit StruGture, Governan and Managemgnt Structurè The Abbey is part of the Benedictine Congregation of Sl Mary of Monte Oliveto within the Benedictine Order and. as such. doès not operate wilhoul due supervision. Regular canonical visitations of the community are madè by the Abbot General and his councillors to ensure Ihal monastic life and the keeping of accounts are in accord wllh the principlas laid down in the Rule of Saint Benedict and the Constitutions of tha Congfegalion. The community avails itself of competent professional advice and support in financial and legal matters. The abbey18 also gready supported by the assistance and cooperation of many volunteer helpers. On%oing amelioration work Is carrled out lo th8 grounds of tho abbey to craate and maintaln spaces where guests can walk, rest and reflect. The natural envSronment, both well4esigned gardgns and wild flora area5. hav8 been developed In line with the habilals and bio-diversity of the surrounding Mourne Mounlalns Area of Outstandlng Natural Beauty. Revlew of Actlvltles, Achlevements and Pèrfom)anc8 The purposes of the Charity is lo safgguard and promote the monastic community known as 'Benedlctlne Monks". It does so by establishing and maintaining the propety of Holy Cross Abbey (Rostrevorl whereln a community of Benedlcline monks live a Ilfe of prayar. work and ho$pltsllly, freely 6mbracing th8ir Iradltlonal Benedictine vows of obedience. stability and convèrsion of life. Th9 monks wglcomo visitors to participate in the prayer and worship of the abbey, and to share Sn thelr Ilfe of prayor and meditation as guests, esther Indlvldually or in groups. Th8 monks gather for worshlp In the abbey church five limes a day and pgople from the lo¢ality and beyond partl¢lpate In these services on a regular basls. Praygr of Inlercesslon Is a key element of these servlc88 off6rlng a splrltual support to th8 many pgoplé who confid8 Ih6ir concems lo the monasuc communlly. A webcam link also allows pogple who are unabl8 lo come to the abbey, whether through Sickness, dlsablllly or dlslance. to share In the worship. Surveying the communl¢atlon$ ce1ved In 2024, the monk5 are awarg that people from FranGe, Germ?ny, Italy. the Netherlands, Malta, NoNay, Australia, South Africa. Mexico and the United Slates las well as the United Kingdom and Irelandl are following the services on a daily basis. The monks offer pastoral comfort, spiritual guidance and 8ccompanlment lo those who visit the abbey. A Scrfpture-based semion. that is related lo the re81ilies of contemporary Ilfe, Is preached each day. and often m8d8 avallable In wdtlen fomi on tho abbey's webslle. So also, a daily spiritual thought Is provlded on the Facebook Pago of the abbey. The monks are always available lo provide spiritual guldance lo those who call lo the abbey in times of dlfflculty, crisis or slnjggle. The monk8 al80 vlslt individuals and groups In the wlder Gommunity as part of the day lo day pastoral wotk of the Charity. Hospitality 1$ a kay a$tt of Benedietlne Ilfe. Durlng 2024. the monks conllnued to welcome vlsllors who come to participate In the prayer and worshlp of tho communlty. and to share in the communlty's Ilfe as guests, gither individually or in groups. Guosls can slay overnight in the Guest house in order to share more fully in the life and worship of the monastic communlly. In 2024, around 400 ovemlghl guests stayed with us for a period of lime ranglng from days to a w8gk. Guests can avail of spiritual counselllng durlng their retreat. Monks are also available to provide talks and seminars for groups. Exceptionally, 8 guest in need of a prolonged period of mental rest and counselling stayed with us for 7 months. Two brothers of the community devoted much limg each day to his care, and the whole communlty offered hlm the supportlve environment required lo bring him to better health. The monks welcome guests who come for retreats and conferences, In groups or as indivlduals. The guests come from a wide range of backgrounds and all sectlons of society. The abbey serves as a safe Spa to facilitste the work of other faith organizalions and charftable groups, such as the Knights of Malla or the Birches IAtzheimer Day care cenlre) to name but a few examples. The monks are available to provide conferences, and to animate group discussions on chosen themès especially related to peace, reconciliation, better mutual understanding and cooperation. The guests come from a wide range of backgrounds and all sections of society. The abbey provides an opportunity for six young organ scholars to build up their wnfidence by public perfomance al the Sunday liturgies and Ihereby enhance the beauty of the worship offered al the abbey. The Charity has as its particular purpose the promotion of reconciliation arising from Its commltrnenl to the values of thè Christian Gos£ and to social need. The monks engage in ecumenical outreach, strengthening relationships with other denominations and promoting ecurTbenical and cross-community links. While the abbey is Roman Catholic in
Benedictine Monks TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT foi the financial year ended 31 December 2024 denomination. its worship is open to people of different denomination81 backgrounds. Approximately one half of the guests to the abbey in 2024 Came from other Christian Churches, and many such people, including ministers of religion from different denominations, seek spirilual diredon from the monks. The abbey offers periodic Study Days, lectures and COnferenS lo encourage cross-wmmunity engagement and dialogue. A group devoted lo the practice spiritual direction from the Vineyard Church In Northern Iland cornes regularly on retreat at the Abbey. Ordinands of the Churth of Ireland diocese of Armagh come lo the Abbey for their peTrdinatIon retreat. In the course of th8 year, we welcomed on three different 0s1onS pilgrims engaged on St Patrick's way. led by Martina Purdy and Elaine Kane of the St Palrlck Centre Downpalrick. These pilgrims drawn Irom across Ireland and further afield18specially the United States of Amerlcal were hosted by the community and given insight into our community's ministry of reconciliation and cross communrty contact in Northern Ireland. During the summer, Dr Cathy Clifford, Professor of theology of the University of Ottawa. gave three confèrences well attended by Christians of all denominations. The Board of the Irish Council of Churches Iconslltuted by leaders of Churches of the Reformation and Orthodox Churches prèsent in Ireland) made its retreat at Holy Cross Abbey. The input for this retreat was given by members of the Community. We eonlinue to host on a regular basis the Official Theological Dialogue be88n the Presbyierian Church in Ireland and the Catholic Church in Ireland. One monk Is a member of the Irish Council of Churches and Irish Inler-church Meeting. Several of the monks are also involved in the publication of an international ecumenlcal theologlcal journal, One In Chrlsl, whi¢h makes a valuable contrfbutlon lo Inler£hurch IheologScal dlalogue and collaboration. Artlcl8s related lo Church renewal. ecumenlcal dlalogue and the ministry of recon¢ilialion In lh8 context ol Northern Ireland have b88n published in p8riodlcals such as"Doclrine and Life" and 'Liturgie'. The monks regulady lake up invitations lo speak and contribute to servic8s and ev8nls in the Other Christian Churches.. in 2024. they did $0 al the Anglican Cathedrals of Armagh and Downpalrick, as well as al the Church of Ireland parish of Rostrevor and at the CalhollG and Proleslanl Student Chaplaincies of Queen's Unlverslty. Two of the monks serve as Ecumenl¢al Canons to Armagh and Down Church of Ireland Cathedrals respecdvely. Clergy from other denominations were invited lo preach during the monastic religious services. Ordinands of neighbouring Church of Ireland dloc8sas come to th8 abbey for a tlma of ratreat prior lo thelr ordination. During 2024 the outroath activities of the abbey also extended well beyond the shores of Ireland. Regular visit$ continued lo take place between thè Holy Cross Community and the sisters of the Protestant Community of Grandehamp In Switzerland. On-going 8ngaggmenl with Weslmont College Icallfornia, USA}, a higher education institution wllhin the Presbyterian tradition, saw students taking seminars al the Abbey during a residency in Roslrevor as part of Ih¢ir European Semester on peace and reconclllallon. Three e¢umenl¢o1 groups from the United Slat8s of Amerlca Included a day sp8nt at thg Abbgy in the context of a Ilme of retreat and fact finding In regard to mlnlslrles of r8concilialion in Ireland. On-golng work loo with young people from all ovèr the world in formation al the YWAM (Youth Wolh A Mission) Centre In Rostrevor. These young pgoplo ¢om$ from fr¢m the Protestant Churches. The abbey Is linked to an international neork of monastèries in the Olivelan Congregallon of the 8enedicline Order. There are regular gxch8nges be88n these communilias, many of which ar8 engaged in ecumenical dialogue and the promotlon of I Flnanclal Revlew The results for the flnanclal flnancial year are 59t out on page 10 and addltional notes are provlded 8howlng Income and expenditur8 in greater detail. Rèsults and Dlvldends Al the end of the finanual year tha Ghgrity has assets of £5,820,527 12023 - £5,608,077} and Ilabllltle8 of £3,900 {2023- £1.942}. The net assets of the Gharlty have Increased by £210,492. Trustees The trustees who served throughout th8 flnaneial year, except as noted, were as follows: Rev Mark-Ephrem Nolan Rev Eric Loisel Rev Thierry Marteaux In accordance wlth the Conslitulion, the trustees retlre by rolatton and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Compllance with Sector-wlde Legl$latlon and Standards The charity engages pro-actively with legislation, stsndards and Godes which are developed for the sector. Benedictine Monks subscribes to and is compliant with the following.. The Companies Act 2006 The Charities SORP {FRS 1021
Benedictine Monks TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 The Audltor The auditor, Daly Park & Company Ltd. (Chartered Accountants) has indicated her willingness to continue in office in accordance with the prov(sions of Section 485 of the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the Board of Trustèes on 2 Aprll 2025 and slgned on Its behalf by: Rav markphrom Nolan Trustee Rev Erl¢ Lolsel Trustee le ee Marteaux