By Andy Drozdziak
Students receiving ‘A’ Level results are being urged to consider joining one of the Church’s ‘hidden gems’-its retreat houses.
Students received their results on Thursday 18th August.
“This year, many retreat houses and teams still have some vacancies for volunteers and would warmly welcome applications in this A level results week,” Fr. Dominic Howarth, chair of CYMfed, told the Universe. “One of the hidden gems of the Catholic Church in England and Wales is a network of youth retreat houses.”
CYMfed, the Catholic youth ministry federation, seeks to promote, support and highlight youth ministry on a national level in the UK.
Fr. Dominic outlined the unique nature of this year’s results. “It is an unusual year for this cohort of Year 13s, as when they were due to take GCSEs public exams were not possible, and grades were teacher assessed. So it was only in June 2022 that they first entered full exam conditions,” he explained.
Schools minister Will Quince has acknowledged the ‘extraordinary times’ faced by students over the past couple of years ‘because of the pandemic’.
Fr. Dominic suggested the idea of being part of a Catholic youth community.
“One of the hidden gems of the Catholic Church in England and Wales is a network of youth retreat houses,” he said, noting that they are found in locations all across the country, plus international opportunities available with CAFOD, the Columbans and the Salesians.
Fr. Dominic noted that the idea of a gap year can help people ‘reassess’ their career path.
“It may be that A-level results don’t go quite as planned and you need a Gap Year to reassess what happens next for you,” he said.
“It may also be that you have finished university, or an apprenticeship, and now is the moment in your life when you would welcome a Gap Year.”
Brenden Thompson of Catholic Voices spent three years working at Walsingham House in the Diocese of Brentwood with Fr. Dominic.
Writing on Facebook, Brenden said: “I decided very last minute (in August after going to World Youth Day in Sydney) to do this gap year. I’m forever grateful for Fr Dom taking a risk on me…because it was the start of all the other graces and great friendships that have followed. A very worthwhile way to spend a gap year.”
Fr. Dominic believes that taking on a gap year can help young people add to their CVs, as well as building faith.
“Skills such as teamwork, confidence in presenting in front of others, and leading a small group, are blended with the practicalities of living away from home – washing, cooking, cleaning – all wrapped in a wonderful journey of formation in faith, together with other young adults of similar age- usually 18 – 22 years old,” he said.
Fr. Dominic sought to allay the fears of those who feel somewhat inadequate to be part of a Catholic retreat centre.
“You may think that to begin a Catholic Gap Year you have to be a ‘perfect Catholic.’ Well, not only is no-one perfect, but the very best Gappers are those with lots of questions, and an energy to dive deep into faith, to share it with others authentically,” he said.
More information about the retreat centres, gap years and contact details can be found here.
Picture: Britain’s Catholic retreat centres and their locations.