St Katharine’s Retreat House, Parmoor is a Christian Retreat House open to those of all faiths or none, offering led retreats and quiets days as well as space for individuals and groups to meet.
We welcome a large and ever-increasing number of people. Some are simply here to visit the lovely building and gardens. The majority are retreatants coming either for private prayer or to take part in a retreat or quiet day. Amongst all of them are people who may require support, comfort or advice in varying degrees of personal need. To meet the diverse expectations and needs of these people, the House offers a variety of resources: Quiet Day and Retreat Guides, the House staff, but in particular the volunteer Day Chaplains. All play an important part in the House’s ministry, and whilst pastoral sensitivity is required by all these people, the offering of pastoral ministry is chiefly the responsibility of the Day Chaplains.
Since we introduced this team in May 2023, we have seen an increasing number of people requesting time with a Chaplain. As you would hope, the Chaplains work to the expected levels of confidentiality.
They are from a variety of backgrounds/traditions – e.g. active and retired clergy, active and retired Readers (Lay Licensed Ministers), Spiritual Directors etc, but all of them are people who bring to the House pastoral skills which equip them to minister appropriately to people who may need a listening ear, who may need someone to pray with or for them or who may ask for some form of help. Our Chaplains are all people of faith who are kind, good listeners, non-judgemental and have a sense of humour.
If you would like to arrange some time with one of the team, please mention this when booking some time here – office@srpf.org.uk.
If you have any prayer requests, please email, confidentially, using prayer@srpf.org.uk and these will be covered during Midday Prayers.
“ Thank you so much for everything that you and your team did for our family yesterday. Everything went so smoothly and everyone said what a wonderful venue St Katharine's was both in terms of food and venue. Your team were absolutely outstanding and made the day very easy for us. ”
CM - Feb 2020
“ Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was perfect. The memorial garden is wonderful and so good to have time to sit and appreciate the atmosphere. ”
Rosemary
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Please convey my thanks to all who were involved. May God bless you all ”
J.K. London 2022
“ Stunning house and gardens both are beautifully cared for. Staff were wonderful and vegan food was delicious. Thank you for a wonderful day. ”
Melissa - Sept 2022
“ Just a short note of thanks for my wonderful day at St. Katherine's yesterday. It was such a fruitful and blessed time with God. Please pass on my thanks for the warmth of the welcome. I look forward to booking another day with you in the future and will be in touch then. ”
Sheila - April 2022
“ I just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff for a wonderful retreat weekend. Everything was just lovely - the location, the accommodation and the food. It was a truly refreshing time and having everything arranged so perfectly meant that there were no distractions to relaxing and hearing from God ”
Rachel - April 2022
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. ”
Jenny - March 2022
“ Many thanks to all those who made our retreat such a success. Peaceful surroundings with ideal facilities and great hospitality made for a memorable time. ”
VW - Nov 22
“ We had a marvellous time last week. The house is so clean and tidy and beautifully supportive of quiet yet productive prayer. It is a credit to you all. ”
LD - Nov 22
“ I was with you today for the Deanery Retreat Day and it was so lovely to be there, and we were so well looked after – thank you so much! ”
JD - Nov 22
“ It was a WONDERFUL venue and we very much enjoyed meeting you, and were blessed by the amazing hospitality by you and your team. Thank you so much. ”
DH - Dec 2022
“ Please pass on my thanks and appreciation for my two day stay last week. The meals were all great and my stay was a real help to me and I hope to be coming back again in the next few months. ”
TP - Feb 2023
“ Thanks for letting us use St Katherine's this last couple of days. We had a lovely time and were very well looked after. The ladies really loved being there and felt very much that they had got away from the stresses of everyday life. ”
RM - March 2023
“ Thank you for a super day on Saturday. There has only been positive feedback from everyone. We were well looked after by your catering team. The Prayer Room worked well - and the sun came out in the afternoon, so the team up top also doing marvellous work. ”
LW - March 2023
“ A huge thanks for a WONDERFUL time at our men's weekend away. ”
SB - March 2023
“ We had a wonderful day in so many ways. Loved the food and the setting, the sense of space and peace there is so tangible. ”
SW - May 2023