The Benefice
Living Faith Course
The Living Faith Course, led by Pastor Jim, will be recommencing in September.
Module 1: Spirituality and Prayer will be re-run for anyone who wishes to start the course. This will be on a Friday evening in St. Mary’s Church, Caldicot, at 7.30 p.m. after Compline beginning 10th September.
For those who have already done Module 1 and wish to attend Module 2 – The New Testament (people can start with this Module if they so wish) this will begin on 9th September – an afternoon session in the Church Hall in Caldicot commencing 2.30 p.m. or an evening session in the Church Hall, Portskewett commencing 7.30 p.m.
Please make sure you have signed up for the Module you wish to attend as soon as possible so that the correct number of support materials can be ordered. Sign up sheets can be found in all three of the Benefice Churches.
Thank you.
Invitation to a Benefice Retreat
Caldey Island (Tenby)
25 to 28 July, 2011
Background to Retreats
Throughout the ages religious men and women have taken themselves away from the hustle and bustle of daily living, to spend time with God. Christ often retreated to a quiet place, as did Moses and many of the prophets.
Our Benefice now aims to provide you with an opportunity to find some real peace and on Caldey Island in July next year.
About the visit
The retreat will take place over the period 25 to 28th July. The monks, who own the island, have provided us with twelve single rooms in their guest house.
Travelling arrangements to and from Tenby will be made nearer the date.
We will be transported to the island at about 3.00pm on 25 July, and leave the island on the first boat on the 28 July.
Accommodation
We will be staying at St Philomena’s Guest House on the island. This is run by the Monks of Caldey for our benefit. Please always keep in mind that St Philomena's Guest House is a place for quiet spiritual retreat. It is not for traditional holidays, and there are no facilities either in the house or on the island for special activities.
Accommodation is in single rooms and is basic. Showers are available and there is a bathroom for the ladies to use.
Meals are shared with other guests and the preparation for those meals and clearing away is also a communal activity. Facilities for making tea or coffee are available at all times, and there is usually a bowl of fruit for you to help yourselves to! There are three meals a day. Special dietary requirements can be met.
You will also be responsible for making your own bed and keeping your room clean and tidy.
Apart from your bedroom and the dinning room there is a small library and a larger common room. The garden is extensive with plenty of places to sit and relax. There are also plenty of places to pray or reflect: many island buildings are very old and quiet beautiful in their simplicity, and great to be alone in.
There are also plenty of walks including a circular walk of the island on the cliff tops. (Please note that part of the monastery is out-of-bounds)
About the island
After 5.00pm, and until about 9.30 the next morning, there are no visitors on the island and generally no mechanical sounds such as from cars or tractors. Just the birds, farm animals, the wind, the sea, seals, nature, some lovely buildings, the monks, a few residents and us!
During those periods that the island is open to the public there is refectory, gift shop and post office facilities. There is also a chocolate factory and a continuous exposition about life in the monastery that can be visited.
Normally you are welcome to join the monks at any of their offices, for instance Mass on our last morning (there won't be time for us to have our own). I love the service of Vespers (or Evening Prayer) for which so much beautiful music has been written. However, most days we will also have our own morning Communion Service in the very ancient St Illtyd's Church in the old Priory.
To find out more about the island and retreats see the attached or go to http://www.caldey-island.co.uk/
How will a typical day be spent?
While there is no pressure to join in any of the pre-arranged activities a typical day on the island might look this:
08.30 hrs Breakfast
09.30 hrs Communion at St Illtyd’s Church (the Priory)
11.00 hrs Session 1 in the Library or in the garden at St Philomena’s
12.00 noon Reflection
12.45 hrs Lunch at St Philomena’s
14.30 hrs Session 2 in the Library/Garden at St Philomena’s
15.30 hrs Reflection
16.30 hrs Tea in the Library
18.30 hrs Supper at St Philomena’s Guest House
19.35 hrs Compline in the Abbey church
You will have plenty of opportunity to explore the island.
At the end of the day I'd like to imagine a warm summers evening on Priory Beach, following Compline: a group of us with guitar gently playing hymns as the sun goes down over Tenby, just across the water! A scene hard to beat and very memorable!
Cost:
Total cost will be £105.00 for full board and inclusive of the ferry cost (so long as we travel on the last ferry to the island, and return on the first boat on our last morning).
Booking your place:
There is much demand for retreat accommodation on Caldey: if you want to join us please let me have a £35.00 per person deposit BEFORE Saturday 18 September 2010.
Should you have mobility difficulties or any other heath restrictions please discuss with me before booking.
Many thanks
David Flint
Co-ordinator
53 Wentwood View, Caldicot. NP26 4QH
Tel.: 01291 423551
House Group
