Stepping away in Crewe

Four times a year, Kairos residents are given the opportunity to attend a three-day retreat at Wistaston Hall in Crewe, hosted by the Oblates. It’s something many of us look forward to, a chance to step away from the noise of everyday life and spend time reconnecting with ourselves, with others, and with something deeper.

We travel together in the minibus on the Friday and arrive in time to settle into our rooms, have a shower, change and refresh after the journey. Dinner is served at 6.30pm and about an hour later the first workshop begins, gently opening the theme for the weekend.

Each retreat explores a different spiritual focus. I’ve had the pleasure of attending retreats on The Woman at the Well, Celtic Spirituality, and The Enneagram, among others. Each one offers something unique, using discussion, reflection and gentle workshop exercises to help us explore the theme together.

One of the things that makes the retreats particularly special is the mix of people who attend. Alongside Kairos residents are other retreatants who come independently through the Oblates. Each person brings their own life experience, often very different from our own and not shaped by addiction, yet the blend works beautifully.

Through fellowship meetings we arrive with openness, vulnerability and curiosity. Others bring wisdom, perspective and a depth of lived experience. Somewhere in that meeting of stories, something powerful happens: understanding grows and real human connection forms.

The grounds at Wistaston Hall are beautiful and peaceful. In January we walked the Labyrinth together, slowly tracing its winding path. Earlier in the session we had each chosen a small stone we felt drawn to and were invited to reflect on something we wished to let go of. Later, carrying those stones with us, we made our way to the Labyrinth. Our spiritual guide offered a quiet prayer as we entered, and from there we simply followed the path. At times it felt as though we were moving closer to the centre, and at other moments as if we were circling further away along the outer edge. Yet there was no need to question the direction, the path was already laid out. We simply walked it mindfully until we reached the centre, where each of us placed our stone down and left it behind.

In that simple act of walking, reflecting and letting go, many of us felt an inner sense of comfort and peace. 

There are many quiet spaces around the house and grounds where you can sit, think, pray, or simply be still. There’s also a library and a comfortable lounge with sofas and a TV where we can relax and unwind. In true Kairos fashion, many of us inevitably find ourselves congregating around the smokers’ table outside, where laughter, stories and honest conversations seem to flow just as freely as the tea.

Meals are another highlight of the retreat. Each day Breakfast is served at 8.30am, lunch at 1pm  and a three-course supper at 6.30pm with tea, coffee and snacks always available. The kitchen team prepare home-cooked food that your grandmother would be proud of, hearty, comforting meals that bring everyone around the table.

Mass is optional in the chapel on Sunday, offering a peaceful way to close the weekend for those who wish to attend.

From the moment we arrive, Sister Janet, Father Oliver and the team welcome us with the warmth and kindness of family. By the time we leave, that feeling has only deepened.

For me, the retreats are like filling a cup that has slowly been emptied by life. I leave feeling spiritually topped up, loved, connected, and carrying a quiet sense of peace back into the rhythm of everyday life.

Amy