Benildus Pastoral Centre look forward to new chapter

At Benildus Pastoral Centre we are coming to the final retreats of the academic year of 21/22. It has been a whirlwind of a year and has been jam-packed with bookings. We were threatened with cancellations in January with the onslaught of Omicron, however the bookings prevailed and it was a very busy January, February and March. 

Unfortunately, mid-March, after avoiding it for two years, the retreat team fell victim to Covid. However, once isolation was over, we hit the ground running once again.

It is a bittersweet time for us here in Benildus as we bid adieu to what has been our home for the past 18 years. The team is being relocated to St. Johns, in Ballyfermot, in the west of Dublin. Works are progressing to make the grand house there, fit for purpose, for the academic year of 22/23.

 It is with natural regret that we leave, but it is with excitement that we embrace our new challenge, situation and, most importantly, our students. We are touched and feel very validated that many of our schools are following us, even though the increased travel time to us is significant for them all.

With the re-discovery of nature over the pandemic period, our Glendalough pilgrim retreats are proving to be very popular and already we have several big groups booked in, for next September, October and May 2023.

As always, as the school year nears its end, we reflect on the work done and all the students who came to engage. Every time, as a team we are as one. in the acknowledgement of our privilege to work in this area and to be available to all the young people who come across our threshold with such openness, enthusiasm and commitment.

•  The Benildus Team