BACK FOR 2026!
Retreat in daily life!
Life-Changing Week of Guided Prayer
Sunday 18th October – 25th October 2025
Book your place now: CLICK HERE
Do you want to deepen your relationship with God and find greater clarity about where He is calling you?
Join us for a Week of Guided Prayer. A retreat in daily life designed for busy people like you.
What is a retreat in daily life?
The heart of the retreat is to pray each day for 30 minutes, setting aside quality time to recognise Jesus walking alongside us.
You will also meet with a trained and experienced prayer guide each day for a further 30 minutes who will offer space to reflect on your relationship with God and accompany you through the retreat.
Often a retreat involves going away to a separate place for a period of time. This retreat allows you to encounter God in the midst of your day-to-day life and is helpful for those who cannot take time away
Who Is This For?
Anyone! The Retreat in Daily Life is suitable for anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with God. It’s a space which provides participants with a greater assurance of God’s love and a space to explore how God is leading and speaking to them.
Why should I do this?
When we are generous with our time, God is more so – we encounter a God who loves us and calls us. It can also be a great help in making or confirming decisions, big or small.
How will the retreat fit with the rest of life?
You’ll be busier in the week of the retreat because of the times of prayer that you are adding in, hence the need to be generous. The retreat runs alongside your normal week. As far as possible we can schedule your sessions with your prayer guide to work with your schedule.
What is the programme for the week?
There is an opening meeting on Sunday 18th October at 8.00pm online, using zoom. This is for all who are joining the retreat and provides a helpful introduction.
You will meet your prayer guide for 4-5 times on the weekdays during the week. This can be face to face based at St Marys Church. If you prefer to do this online, this can also be arranged.
There is a final closing meeting online on Sunday 25th October at 8.00pm for all who have participated.
How much does the retreat cost?
The retreat is subsidised and most of the team are volunteers. We are able to offer this retreat at a cost of £30 per person, (the full cost is £60 which covers travel costs, other expenses, and a contribution for each person to the Jesuit Institute). If cost is an issue, please speak to us.
What do previous participants say about the weeks?
“All my interactions with my guide have been excellent”.
“Really useful. A manageable amount of time to allow me to stop and really focus on my spiritual life. A good way to move forward with God”.
“Wonderful. It was liberating and enlightening to talk about my prayer life, past and present”.
“Articulating what was happening for me and being heard was an absolute gift and I gained so many insights into my relationship with God that it will take me weeks to process!!”
“I have done a number of weekends retreats but not for many years. Never done a retreat in daily life or online. Far exceeded my expectations”
Dates for your diary:
Starting meeting online via Zoom the evening of Sunday October 18th at 8pm.
Meet with your prayer accompanier daily for 30 mins Monday - Friday. You choose online or face-to-face at St Mary’s Luton
Closing meeting online via Zoom Sunday October 25th at 8pm.
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and find greater clarity about where He is calling you. Sign up today! 😊
For more information, speak to Anne Adams.
The retreat is led by Stephen Hoyland. We’ve asked him to introduce himself,
“I live in the North West of England where it rains a lot. I am fortunately waterproof. I have worked for the Jesuits for the last 18 years and one of the highlights is an annual trip to Luton to lead a retreat in daily life.
Previously I've been a teacher (so I like to give homework) and a chaplain (so I like to pretend to be working).
I travel the country facilitating retreats for students, people in parishes and other bodies. I have become convinced after 250 or so of these, that God really likes retreats.
I'm married to Kate. I am pleased this year to have another football team to root for. Yes. Luton Town.
The retreat in Luton began at the University of Bedfordshire and has moved into the life of the churches of the town.
We have excellent trained guides who assist with the retreat.
This retreat has been run in Luton during the autumn for almost 20 years. St Mary’s have hosted the retreat for the last three years and the local team co-ordinating are Rachel Warwick, Mike Jones and Anne Adams.
