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Inside The Convent With Stacy Dooley

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naomi24 | 10:58 Sat 12th Mar 2022 | Religion & Spirituality
22 Answers
A very interesting documentary from non-religious Stacy.

For ten days Stacy joined a group of Anglican nuns who live in a rather smart purpose built convent that provides very nice guest accommodation too. They have specified periods of silence, they pray together four times a day, help out at a local food distribution centre, and make greetings cards for sale. They cook and clean for themselves but all their other needs, including health care and clothing are met, and they receive £75 per annum for personal spending.

An easy life? Running away from the realities of life? Lovely ladies all - but it struck me that they don't have a care in the world.

Your thoughts?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00156nh

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I love Stacey, will watch it.
I worked as a caterer in a conference centre convent. The nuns worked hard, in the garden to produce food etc and worked at other things to provide for themselves. It was quite strict, the prioress was all smiling but a bit of a tirent to any slackers. At the end of the day they had their problems the same as the outside world. The older ones were dying off and some of the young ones decided it was not for them. In the end the numbers dwindled and they were forced to close. I wouldn't say it was an easy life, no.
Unfortunately, can't watch anything with Stacey Dooley. She's so patronising and her voice grates.
Thanks naomi, fascinating.
With you there, Pat, and for the same reasons. Can't grab the remote quick enough when she appears on my tv.
:0)
I wouldn't say nuns are carefree - they will have their doubts, regrets, desires and worries the same as anyone else.

I worked closely with nuns that ran a hostel/night shelter for the type of men even the Salvation Army refused to accommodate. They not only worked hard, they faced violence and abuse often and put up with sights and sounds that would turn anyones stomachs. They also worried about money - the costs of running the hostel.

They also provided a hostel for women, many who had come over from Ireland for abortions and stayed only for a few nights. I don't know how the nuns really felt about giving those women the support they needed in view of their own opinions and beliefs regarding abortion, it must have been difficult.

Hopefully the women who choose to become nuns today aren't doing so because it is expected of them, which was the case for a lot of young Irish women years ago.
I like SD . As for some nuns they actually do a lot for their communities. More than sit at the computer for 12 hours a day , benefiting no one .
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Ahhh, but anne ... some who sit at their computers for 12 hours a day actually benefit a lot of people. You should never jump to unfounded conclusions ... because very often you would be wrong.

Some nuns do marvellous work - I know that firstly from my acquaintance with those I know who run a hospices, shelters and help centres of various descriptions, and secondly, from a horribly personal experience of a long and arduous labour when the only person around who seemed to care about 'me' held my hand and talked to me for hour upon hour. Sister Josephine by name - she got in everyone else's way - and on everyone else's nerves because she wasn't doing anything 'practical' like wielding a surgical instrument - but for me she was a 'Godsend'. I've never forgotten her.

Back to the programme. This group of nuns did seem to have a pretty easy life - certainly one with no, or very little, responsibility. Their main focus seemed to be their own personal relationship with God rather than what they could do for the community. Lovely ladies, but I couldn't help thinking it was all quite self-centred.
If they are content with their life and costing me nothing then I'm happy for them.

People other than Nuns opt out the rat race and also seem to enjoy a simpler life, the Amish for instance is another religious group but there are non religious that do it. Again, provided they dont expect hand outs from the State to live their live fair play to them.
//More than sit at the computer for 12 hours a day , benefiting no one .//

I have spent my life with computers often spending that sort of time both during the day and at night fixing the ruddy things. I can assure you people did benefit especially on the systems I helped programme that are even today shifting trillions of dollars a day through them.
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Stacy asked one of the nuns of she'd ever wanted marriage and children. Her reply was quite wistful. Choosing the convent life is truly a life changing decision.
Many women (and men, not sure about the other classes) choose not to marry and have kids. Ms Widdecombe springs to mind as a famou

Like I say, if they are not forced or coerced into it then who am I to tell someone how to live?


Brilliant prog, I love Stacey.
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I read that Ann Widdecombe was involved with someone for quite a long time when she was at university and they did intend to marry but it didn't happen. I might be wrong but I got the impression that he was the love of her life and she didn't want anyone else. It seemed quite sad to me. She was quite pretty when she was young. I like her anyway.
Nuns and monks are just like you and me. and they devote their life to Christ and doing good in the world.
''Nuns and monks are just like you and me. and they devote their life to Christ and doing good in the world.''

Seems to me that monks and nuns are doing the opposite
and running away from real life.
Real life is bills.
Providing for family.
Work.
Its tax.
And car insurance
And petrol
Its inflation on food.
Its all sorts but its not about Telling Christ about how good he is for ever....
//Real life is bills...//

Nope, real life is whatever you make of it.
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^ Or whatever it makes of you ....

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