All Saints Parish Retreats
History
All Saints has been organising an annual retreat for many years, providing a break from the daily routine and a chance to focus on one’s spiritual growth. It’s a unique opportunity to recharge the batteries; to take stock, meditate, read, walk, pray or just rest, but above all, to live in the gift of the present moment and to gain a renewed sense of purpose and direction in life.
The All Saints Retreat is open to everyone, from All Saints’ parishioners to those living further afield, and many have been coming regularly for a number of years. The retreat is conducted by a retreat leader and follows a scheduled programme based around the daily offices and a number of presentations from the leader, usually focusing on a specific theme. However, nothing is compulsory (!), and retreatants can choose entirely what they want to join in with. Some just use the time to rest.
The Retreat is held in a residential retreat centre, solely for our use. In previous years it was held at Abbey House, Glastonbury in the
grounds of Glastonbury Abbey, until it closed as a retreat house in 2017. Since then we have been fortunate enough to hold our retreat weekends at Llangasty Retreat House in Brecon, Wales. Llangasty is a Christian centre for individuals and groups set in surroundings of peace, beauty, and tranquility, with wildlife in abundance which makes for a perfect retreat setting.
The Retreat is fully residential with comfortable rooms and all meals provided. It lasts from tea time on a Friday until after lunch on a Sunday, and the majority of it is held in silence. Some people find this a strange concept at first, being used to the hustle and bustle and general noise of every day life. However, most soon get used to it, and discover that it’s a unique opportunity to experience a time of genuine peace and calm in the company of others but without the usual clamour of daily existence. Silence falls after supper on the Friday and ends just before lunch on Sunday, but retreatants are free to talk in their rooms or outside in the grounds of the retreat house.
Over the years, we have been incredibly fortunate to have had many renowned retreat leaders from a variety of different backgrounds and Christian traditions, including The Right Reverend Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, Br Nicholas Alan SSF, Guardian of the Franciscan Monastery of Glasshampton in Worcestershire and The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury.
The 2024 Retreat
Following last year’s very successful Parish Retreat at Llangasty we’re delighted to announce that we shall be holding this year’s retreat at Llangasty again from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 May 2024. It will be led by our own Fr Paul Hawkins, and once again promises to be a very special and rewarding few days.
Click through to the All Saints Parish Retreat 2024 page here for more information and details of how to sign up for the retreat.
“The Past is History, the Future is a Mystery, and the Present is a Gift”
Fr. Neil Kelley 2023 Retreat Leader
