The Caister@Pakefield Retreat

The first Caister retreat took place in 1996 and was an initiative of Anglican bishops in the catholic tradition, who wanted to encourage fellow believers with a time together of prayer and spiritual renewal from which they hoped would flow a renewed desire to evangelise.  Since then thousands of Anglicans have been encouraged and strengthened in their faith by the lively worship and clear teaching, by the times of corporate stillness and fellowship offered during the retreat programme.

In 2007 we moved to a new venue at Pontin’s holiday camp at Pakefield, just south of Lowestoft. Offering a more compact site with hotel style accommodation and a well deserved reputation for friendly and efficient service, ensuring that the retreat will be a time of renewal relaxation and refreshment.

The basic format of the retreat has remanded to same through the years though each retreat is based on it own theme.  The move to Pakefield has given us the opportunity for some fresh thinking and planning. 

The participants gather during the afternoon of the Monday and the retreat proper begins with evening prayer.

The structure of the following three days are basically the same.

In the evenings there are celebrations of different kinds.  This year we gathered together in the Stardust for a gentle time of shared prayer on the Monday evening.    On Wednesday evening there was a service of ‘Healing and Reconciliation’ There is no doubt that this is amongst the most profound experience of the week as we gather around the Saviour's Cross, the place of ‘joyful sadness’.  The final evening by contrast is always ‘Songs of Praise’ with testimonies give by various participants as we simply enjoy giving glory to the Lord.  The retreat ends with a Sung Eucharist on the Friday morning.


Some people ask what makes this a retreat not a conference?

Well it is true that perhaps it is unusual that Caister@Pakefield includes quite a lot of talking, around the meal table, in seminars and even in the bar, but all these who have experience the profound silence of the corporate hour of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament know that all our talking finds new depth from the experience of that holy hour in ‘retreat’ with Jesus.

The total cost of the retreat, which includes full board is about £185.  You can secure your place by completing an application which can be obtained by clicking here and sending it to The Retreat Office,  Bishop’s House, 21 Guildford Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1LU together with your £50 deposit.

Comments from previous retreats: