For All ENQUIRIES please contact Catherine Rodger by email Catherine or by ph:01732 458852.

Men’s Retreat at Aylesford : NEW DATES 10th to the 12th November 2023
and
Women’s Retreat at Aylesford: 17th to the 19th May 2024

Hope: Living Differently

"The one who has hope lives differently" Pope Benedict XV1,Spe Salvi

I am delighted to be able to tell you that both retreats will be facilitated by Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ who has recently spoken on hope in our parish. She is the director of the Religious Life Institute and senior lecturer in pastoral theology at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge. Gemma teaches Christian spirituality at the Cambridge Theological Federation. She has been a spiritual director, retreat giver and lecturer for over 25 years, as well as having worked as a prison and university chaplain. She is the author of The Way of Ignatius and Dancing at Still Point (SPCK).

The cost for each retreat for full board, lodging and the retreat facilitator is £240. I am afraid that Aylesford have had to raise their costs this year due to inflation.

If you would like to attend please pick up a registration form from the back of your Church or download a form from the links below.

Lift shares to Aylesford will be organised.

Any queries please email Catherine or by ph:01732 458852

The registration form and non refundable deposit of £20 made payable to ’RCAS Sevenoaks’ must be returned to the Parish Office in an envelope marked PARISH RETREATS by Sunday the 6th August for the men’s retreat. I will readvertise nearer the time with a closing date for applications for the women’s retreat.

Mens Registration Form

Womens Registration Form

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"The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble, the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and communities. The tempest lays bare all our pre-packaged ideas and forgetfulness of what nourishes our people’s souls; all those attempts that anaesthetize us with ways of thinking and acting that supposedly ’save’ us, but instead prove incapable of putting us in touch with our roots and keeping alive the memory of those who have gone before us. Thus we deprive ourselves of the antibodies we need to confront adversity. In this storm, the facade of those stereotypes with which we camouflaged our egos, always worrying about our image, has fallen away, uncovering once more that (blessed) common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived: our belonging as brothers and sisters."

Sarah Harrison

Photos from 2020 Women’s Retreat:

Photo from 2017 Men's Retreat:

Emails of appreciation:

Yes your efforts much appreciated Catherine. Another very special retreat weekend. Regards, Andrew.

Thanks Catherine Great retreat. Best Regards, Ben.

Inspirations from 'Mirrors of God' Women's retreat Aylesford

I pray for the light to discern God's voice and "the path which God is indicating in my life".
I pray for the ability to be still
To hear God's voice above the din of daily life.
"God: the sweet eye of love that never stops gazing on us",
"I place my days in your hand", and when I lose sight of the path,
Let me never forget your love and calm my soul and clear my head
To appreciate the blessings and the gifts that you have given me.
In my thoughts and actions may I reflect like a mirror Your brightness.

Quotations from:-
A way of praying in the evening (Daily Examen)
Julian of Norwich
Psalm 31:14-18 Message Bible
Retreat discussion on the 'mirrors of God'.
Photo from 2017 Women's Retreat:

Photos from Previous Retreats:

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the 2014 Women's Retreat at Aylesford Priory. It was my first retreat so I did not know what to expect but I found all the other women so friendly, and it was great to get to know people I only knew from a distance before. I thought the venue was lovely and we were so well looked after in terms of accommodation and food. Sister Mary Rose and Father Richard who facilitated the weekend were amazing. I thought the sessions were pitched just right in terms of spiritual input, time for reflection and group time. It was also great to enjoy a social on the Saturday evening. I will be attending the next retreat. - Sandie Peters.

The 2013 women's retreat was led by Angela Brown in the beautiful monastic setting of Aylesford. She shared with us three different ways of praying through lectio divina, imagination and art. There was space to have a go at letting God in, reflecting the title of the retreat. We shared in the daily office and mass with the Carmelites. A social on the Saturday night and eating together in the Pilgrims Hall allowed us all to build community and friendships in a gentle way. The feedback from participants was very positive.

"Hi Catherine, Many thanks for organising an amazing weekend. I felt very much at peace when the Retreat finished. I now have to practice silence and praying!"

Both retreats went well. Fr Michael Manning was the Carmelite priest who led the retreat. The women had wonderful weather so were able to enjoy the grounds at Aylesford. The men had the privilege of attending a mass at which one of the Carmelite brothers was taking his final vows. The general feedback was very positive from participants. Despite being about silence a lot of chatting took place and new friendships were formed.