Feedback on Past Retreats
Please find below comments received from previous retreatants
Feedback from 2011 retreats
- The coverage of the theme was comprehensive and presented in a very well organised and easily understood way. The skilful and sensitive management of the group enabled a wide-ranging discussion. An excellent retreat which fully met all expectations. (True Blessedness: A Retreat on the Beatitudes)
- Everything was done for our comfort and enjoyment of our stay. Accommodation, food, contact with other monks (who came to chat with us over tea and coffee) to provide a break which was well prepared, reflecting traditional Benedictine hospitality. (True Blessedness: A Retreat on the Beatitudes)
- It included everything which seemed necessary; also there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions, which was much appreciated. (Lectio Divina)
- As I had expected, I found the physical environment challenging – but it was made much more bearable by the kindness of my fellow retreatants and of the monks. (Lectio Divina)
- A very informative and spiritually fulfilling course. A big thank you to members of the community and the lay staff who all contributed to ensuring the group enjoyed the true Benedictine reception… (Lectio Divina)
- (Alban Roe House Confirmation Group)
- Enjoyable, fun, new experiences, peaceful, amazing.
- I’ve learnt how monks spend their day and why they are here and how much they believe in God. And it’s made me question whether I believe in God or not.
- Seeing my friends as they relax. Developing my faith. The beauty of the abbey and its grounds. Finding out about the monks and what they do and how they live day to day.
- Develop and increase faith, spend time with friends. Find out about day to day life of monks. Abbey gives you a different and closer perspective of God.
- I would recommend this to anyone. It is peaceful and thoroughly enjoyable. An amazing experience.
- This weekend I have learnt so much about my friends and it’s opened my eyes to a different way of life.
- My experience was meeting new people form older years that I would never really talk to at school.
- This weekend…being able to relax with my friends…joining the monks in prayer and choir…having a tour of the abbey.
- Going to mass with the monks. Being with friends, made new friends.
- Opened up doors to new experiences in faith..going to choir with the monks. Opened doors to praying more often even at home quietly with myself. The experience has been peaceful and great.
- I have really enjoyed this weekend away and have made many new friends. Also one of my favourite parts of the weekend was when I got to sit in choir.
- In the past religion has taken a bit of a back seat, but this experiment has definitely brought to the front of my mind that as I go through life and face tough times, my faith will be a steady rock of support. It’s given me a chance to reflect on things and has also been a great opportunity to make friends with people I don’t normally talk to. I’ve really enjoyed this weekend.
- (Confirmation Group Yr9&10)
- Nottingham University Cassoc Retreat
- I can't pick a best thing – there were profound moments that spoke to my heart in every session.
- The opportunity to join the monks in their daily prayer.
- The food and accommodation were excellent. The talks were informative, engaging and deeply spiritually moving.
- The retreat gave me courage to face the problems I have in life, with myself and others, and allowed me to have courage to face my weaknesses.
- United Reformed Church Northern Synod
- Everything was very special – food, welcome, hospitality, the introduction to the worship which helped us get the most from it. Gentle introduction to listening and humility – lots of food for thought.
- The pace was right and input as regards timing was right. The welcome was warm and I felt it was more inclusive than on previous occasions when I visited.
- Tai Chi and Christian Meditation
- Meeting other like-minded people and listening to their experiences re meditation and Tai Chi as we all came together. I learnt new skills and found it gave me a deeper understanding of how to use my Christian faith in meditation and tai chi.
- It outshone all my expectations – I got exactly what I thought I would and more.
- The course leaders were informative, inspirational and fun. The course was an affirmation of my own beliefs about the place of Tai Chi in Christianity and of integrating some Eastern techniques with Western ones. This was a marvellous weekend. Many thanks.
St Bernadette's Scunthorpe
ST Bernadette’s Church Scunthorpe.
Parish Retreat, October 2011.
There are special times in our lives when everything comes together, when love and togetherness reigns supreme. And that time for us is when well all begin our Pilgrim journey to Ampleforth for our weekend retreat, a time of quiet reflection and prayer
I can with confidence speak for all when I say that the highlight of our Retreat is listening to the words of Fr Kieran in his talks to us over the weekend, a very special and enlightening time indeed.
Thank you Fr Kieran.
Finally, on behalf of us all, I would like to say Thank You to the Kitchen Staff who were excellent and looked after us with a first class service.
Peace be with you, Malcolm Nicklen.