Friday April 18th saw six members of St. Matthew’s church setting out for a long weekend retreat with the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield in West Yorkshire. We were met by the retreat leader Father Alan Brown and one of the monks, Brother Philip. I had decided to come on this retreat to see where my late father was trained as a priest. After being shown to our rooms, there was just time for a quick cup of tea before attending Evensong in the main church at 6.30pm. The church is large and architecturally very interesting and I was impressed by the acoustics of the building. 
The service was beautifully sung to plainsong by members of the community. This lasted three-quarters of an hour after which we all met in the reception area where we were given the timetable for the weekend.
There were far more services than I had expected, a total of fourteen in all and there were also several addresses by Fr. Alan.
All the meals were taken in the new refectory and these were excellent. Individual diets were catered for and members of the community served us at the table.
After dinner we proceeded to the common room for our first address by Fr. Alan. The talks were based on a prayer that he used at each meeting:-
Lord Jesus you came to heal us and set us free.
Lord have mercy.
You were anointed by the Spirit to preach the good news to the poor.
Christ have mercy.
You give rest to all who labour and are heavy laden.
Lord have mercy.
At each meeting a well known, popular song was played.
Readings were taken from Fr. Harry Williams’ book, ‘Living Free’ and from Alan Bennett. After the first address we were told that this should be a silent retreat and Fr. Alan recommended that we did not speak to one another until the Monday morning of our departure! This would include meal times! Suddenly, Monday morning seemed a long way away.
The service of Compline was held in the church at 9.15pm after which we retired to bed. So began an unusual weekend for me. The silence was difficult to cope with and the routine so different from daily life.
Saturday
After getting up at 6.15am for Mattins at 6.45am, we had breakfast. Eating in silence, with just the clatter of cutlery on the plates was very strange. A short walk in the grounds was taken afterwards, and as we met other members of the group (who were strictly observing the silence rule) we just smiled as we passed, rather than saying ‘good morning’. After the morning address and tea with the brothers we attended the mid-day Office and the sung Mass which followed. Many visitors attended these services. After a silent lunch, some time was taken exploring the grounds, including the old quarry with its disused open air theatre and the Calvary garden. The spring flowers were in full bloom. The day continued with the afternoon address during which ‘In Paradisum’ by Faure was played. At 6.30 we attended Evensong in the church and after supper, Stations of the Cross led by Fr.Alan. The readings were from Richard Hobbs’ book ‘A More Perfect Way’ which was written from Jesus’ own view of the events leading up to the crucifixion. It was very moving. We were given a folder of the Stations to bring home with us. After a short rest in the common room we attended the evening Vigil service and then went to bed.
Sunday
Services on Sunday started slightly later, with Mattins at 7.30am, so a chance for a lie in! After Mattins, a full High Mass followed with lots of beautiful plainsong for the psalms and hymns and an occasional accompaniment from the small pipe organ in the church. Much of the order of service was very similar to that of St .Matthews. A large thurible was in use and some impressive acolyte candles. After breakfast at 9.am we had some free time, so, as it was wet outside, I took the chance to read my father’s memoirs of his student days at Mirfield and of his early years as a priest. It was very interesting to read and I was glad to see for myself so many of the places and services mentioned in the account. We attended the mid-day service with more beautiful unaccompanied singing and then we had lunch of roast lamb and vegetables, followed by a runny mystery pudding which tasted of vanilla. It was quite wet in the afternoon; so much time was spent reading. I was getting used to the routine now and it was not as overwhelming as it had seemed on the first night. After a cup of tea and sticky bun with some of the brethren we attended our afternoon meeting, during which we were told that we had done well with the silence and it would end early at that meeting. This gave us a chance to get know the other two ladies on the retreat. After Evensong we had a buffet supper and then attended a final short meeting with Fr Alan. The day ended with Compline.
Monday
The day started with Mattins at 6.45 and then we had breakfast. We presented Fr. Alan with a gift and a card. I was sad to leave but we said our farewells and thanked Brother Philip and Fr. Alan for all their help, advice and encouragement. As we drove home we reflected on the whole retreat, a quiet, peaceful and inspiring weekend away from all the worries of life. A very worthwhile experience.
Thurstan Denne
