December 2023
Comings and Goings
In 2022 the Assistant Warden Jann Simpson left to take up a new opportunity to run the café at the island’s Heritage Centre. Jane Kindlen took on additional duties alongside her role as Chaplain to assist Joss Brace in the running of the House.
Joss Brace retired in September 2022, the 25th Anniversary year of the Colmcille Trust and Cnoc A Chalmain. Joss had been Sr Jean Lawson’s assistant at the House for 15 years before taking on the role of warden. The Trustees and Ms Kindlen expressed their thanks for all the hard work Joss undertook during her tenure. Joss continues to reside on Iona.
Ms Jane Kindlen was appointed Warden and Chaplain on the retirement of Joss Brace in September 2022. Jane came to the House with a wealth of experience from an early career in youth and community work, pastoral and chaplaincy roles as well as a career in social work and policing. Jane had initially been appointed as Chaplain and resident staff member in April 2021 and completed her first full season at the helm in 2023. Although Jane was new to employment in the hospitality sector, she was ably shown the ropes by Jann and Joss. Jane loves welcoming guests to the House and leading morning prayer. If a Catholic priest isn’t present to celebrate Mass, Jane is permitted to lead a Liturgy of the Word and distribute Holy Communion from the tabernacle on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation. Jane resides in the House.
If you stay at Cnoc A Chalmain or attend a service why not ask Jane about the day she found a loggerhead turtle washed up alive on an Iona beach in January 2022?!
May 2021
Jane Kindlen
We have welcomed a new staff member Jane Kindlen, who will be Chaplain and resident staff member. Mrs Joss Brace continues to be Warden in charge of running the house.
Sunday 12th July 2020
Michael Hedley R.I.P.
So soon after the death of Father Michael, I am afraid I have more sad news. Michael Hedley died suddenly at the House of Prayer on Saturday morning, 11th July. Many of you will have shared the House with Michael and his wife, Hilda, who have been regular visiting chaplains. You will have experienced their thoughtful and inspiring liturgies and services, as well as having enjoyed their company. Michael, a prayerful, kind, and caring man will be greatly missed. I’m sure you will join us in praying for the repose of his soul and in lifting up to the Lord, Hilda, and all their family.
Kathleen Hughes
Chair of the Colmcille Trust
Thursday 2nd July 2020
Father Michael Hickey
Fr. Michael on the Oban-Craignure ferry
It is with deep sadness that I must tell you of the sudden death of Father Michael Hickey at his home, St Cuthbert’s, North Shields on 1st July.
Father Michael, a longstanding and dedicated Patron of the House of Prayer, was active in his support of our work. Indeed, he greatly contributed to the House, often travelling north at short notice to supply for us. Many of you will have experienced his thoughtful and inspiring homilies, his generosity in making himself available for private chats, his approachable manner, his gentle humour, his humility, his love. For Fr Michael was a man of love. He preached it. He shared it. He lived it. It is with love that we, at the House of Prayer, shall remember him. I feel privileged to have had Fr Michael in my life as a friend for a number of years. He will be truly missed by so many people. Fr Michael, rest in peace.
Kathleen Hughes
Chair of the Colmcille Trust
Catriona Allan
The former Warden of the House of Prayer, Catriona Allan, entered the Community of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the Rule of St Benedict at Tyburn in London in December 2002. She made her first profession on 25th June 2005 as Sister Mary Colmcille. She later moved to Rome and spent two years with four other Sisters at Monastero Madonna dell'Eucaristia, a new community house on the Via Aurelia near the Vatican. She returned to Scotland in December 2008 and after a few weeks with the community of Tyburn Sisters at the Benedictine convent in Largs, Ayrshire, returned to Tyburn, where she made her final monastic profession on 10th March 2009, supported by members of her family, Sister Jean and other friends from Iona. In the summer of 2009 she moved back to the convent in Largs.