Clergy retreat
The Priest and the Holy Family
Monday 11th - Friday 15th May 2026
Preached by the Right Reverend John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley
Our Lady and St Joseph in the life of the priest
This retreat will reflect on the place of the Holy Family in the priest’s understanding of himself as a minister of Christ’s Church, and on the particular place of Our Lady in the life of the priest.
As the examplar of every Christian family, the Holy Family stands not only as a point of reference for every person, but as the most fundamental image of the Church that is the family of God (cf. CCC 1655), being “the first and vital cell of society” (Apostolicam Actuositatem 11). In re-presenting Christ, the priest is thus both entrusted to the guidance and protection of St Joseph and Our Lady, and receives a mandate to care for and nurture Christ’s Bride, the Church.
- Secular and religious clergy, deacons and seminarians welcome
- The retreat will be preached, with opportunities for confession.
- Clergy are welcome to concelebrate Mass with Bishop Keenan or to celebrate Mass individually at their own time, using both Theodore House Oratory and St Peter’s Church.
- Daily Holy Hour and Compline.
Bishop John was born on 19th December 1964 in Glasgow. He was educated at the Salesian College, Shrigley Park, Cheshire; University of Glasgow 1984-1988 (LL.B); Gregorian University, Rome 1988-1995 (S.T.B., Ph.L).
Having studied at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, he was ordained a priest on 9th July 1995 in St. Gregory’s, Wyndford by Cardinal Thomas Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow. He was an Assistant Priest in Christ the King, Kings Park from 1995-2000 and Chaplain at Holyrood High School, Glasgow from 1997 – 2000. He was a lecturer in Philosophy at Scotus College, Glasgow from 1995-2005. He was appointed as Chaplain to the University of Glasgow from 2000-2014 and Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s, Anderston from 2013-2014. He was appointed as Vocations Director of the Archdiocese of Glasgow 2013-2014.
He was nominated as Bishop of Paisley, by Pope Francis, on 8th February 2014 and was ordained as the fifth Bishop of Paisley on 19th March 2014 by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the Archbishop of Glasgow and his predecessor in Paisley.
Theodore House offers a wonderful venue for any retreat. The tranquil and beautiful surroundings of the Stonyhurst estate offer a peaceful setting and endless opportunities for walks.
All accommodation is en-suite, with comfortable facilities and a beautifully lanscaped garden.
For more information about Theodore House, please click here.
Arrivals are welcome on the Monday from 1pm for a 3pm start.
Departures on Friday are from 3pm.
Cost:
£475 (includes single, en-suite room and full board)
If you require assistance in meeting the costs of the retreat, please contact events@christianheritagecentre.com
Please register below (£50 deposit payment required):
Venue & Getting to us:
If you are reliant on public transport, please consider traveling by train to Preston train station. From there, we aim to co-ordinate minicab shares or lifts amongst participants of any given event. If you require further advice or assistance, email us: events@christianheritagecentre.com