Below are selected testimonies given at the end of 2004's Weekends Away.

2004 Weekends

WOLDINGHAM PARK (South)

What a relief to hear the scripture ‘a righteous man falls seven (unlimited) times a day’ after struggling against sexual sin month in month out – and this linked with a reminder of God’s unconditional love which I now see as a reality in my life, having been reminded of this through Fr Chris’s teaching and the sharing of others witnessing to me God’s love. How refreshing to discover the twisted image of God still lurking in the recesses of my mind and recognising this image as fraudulent. What a release, thank God! The sharing, even in my same group which meets monthly, is much more powerful and has a greater vulnerability at the weekends away due to the combination of the teaching and the powerful atmosphere that pervades the weekend.
This weekend was made possible for me by a good friend allowing God to work through him, letting God’s love be manifested in his heart. A week ago I turned 44 and felt really drained by life and its continual absorption of my inner belief in God. I felt isolated from other men and felt I was just going through the motions of what was being expected of me. During the conference I allowed for the first time in my life the barriers that I had built around me to come down a bit, and boy did I receive such love and the presence of God’s Spirit to enter into my heart! I am now in no doubt that Jesus is not expecting anything from me in return for His amazing love. His Spirit has entered into places that I thought dead. A flame has been rekindled that is now burning in my soul. In a short period of time, years of rejection and doubt have been burned away and been replaced by clean clear air in which I can breathe properly again. Without putting too fine a point on it, I have been given my life back again. All this was made possible by a good man who loves me and cares about me. He gave me a birthday present that I will never forget in paying for my registration here at the conference.
Great weekend – too much food, and almost too much to do. But it worked wonderfully for me as I have the distinct feeling that God is slowly preparing me to be able to receive Him, to receive His love completely. At each session and sharing, a little more of the crust was shaved off, and I felt more and more responsive to what was happening.
As a 'Woldingham veteran', I approached the weekend with anticipation and excitement but also with a degree of trepidation this time round. Having volunteered to lead a workshop on pornography, it hadn’t really dawned on me how intimidating it could be. Once I had started, I had a huge obstacle to overcome, something that I was thinking about for two sentences before I said it: the ‘M’ word. But having overcome that obstacle, I was away. I felt really blessed because as I was standing there, I became aware that it was not me talking. The words were coming out of my mouth without a conscious effort from me.
I came to deliver the workshop as an act of obedience and through doing so God has blessed me. From sharing in my struggles with pornography, I feel hugely strengthened, both because it is open and therefore less powerful but primarily because now, instead of having one accountability buddy I have thirty plus. Now, when faced with temptation, I have all those guys there who will be alongside me and will pull me towards the Lord.
I have also been blessed through the time of prayer ministry. Last year, for the first time, I was part of the prayer ministry team, though in a very supporting role. This time round, I prayed with several men and felt transported. I saw and experienced the healing that God brought to their lives and I feel privileged and blessed to be a conduit for such healing – something I have never experienced before and a massive blessing and encouragement. I leave Woldingham feeling encouraged and renewed, full of energy but particularly daring – to go and be vulnerable and dangerous in God’s service, a man of faith.
I had a fantastic weekend. Thanks. The talks and worship were very uplifting and encouraging. I learnt a lot from the workshop on Anger Management. The discussions/small group made me know and grow closer to people I had already met. I loved the indoor footie! Overall, friendly people have really encouraged me by inviting me to a community of men where we can each love one another and help to experience God’s love. The deepening of relationships here has helped me to meet needs, to have my needs met and so in turn to share the Good News of a loving God who meets our needs. Thanks again.

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STONYHURST COLLEGE(North)

Venue and surroundings – superb! Eating and sleeping – wonderful! Fellowship – brilliant! The weekend gives so much value. The difficulty for me is to retain these gifts during the remainder of the year and growing, not shrinking, from the challenges ahead. Roll on next year!
Again, I have really enjoyed this weekend. I found the talks both touching and inspirational. I hope they will give me food for thought over the weeks to come. The small groups are really important. The other ‘wow’ moment was the singing and praise. I look forward to next year.
I didn’t need to hide behind my ‘status’! (said one priest)
I enjoyed the small groups and meeting with men from other areas to my own. It has been good to learn from their experiences and life stories.
As a lapsed Catholic it was very uplifting to see so many men, in spite of their many and sometimes serious problems, displaying enormous faith in God – the faith I once had. I have been sufficiently affected to realise I need to re-assess my beliefs (or lack of them) and try over the coming weeks and months to start a new search for Him and instead of developing a catalogue of arguments against the existence of God, give Him(?) the chance to be seen again but in a more mature fashion, to catalogue too reasons for believing in His existence. I will never be so extroverted as the others but they have shown me in their own way that our relationship with God should be a joyous one.
I have never experienced such moments in my life as on this weekend. I have been once before to the men’s weekend, but this one has made me experience the love that Jesus has for me. While sharing during a walk through the countryside on the Saturday afternoon, I talked to a friend of an incident that happened in my childhood, which has had an impact on my behaviour ever since. Following this I was able to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest. I know now that that behaviour pattern is nailed to the Cross, and I feel freedom. I was then prayed over. I shut my eyes, felt wonder, felt the presence of Jesus and Mary and cried with joy. I leave this place with a feeling of great excitement.
Another superb weekend, building on my ‘initiation’ in 2003. The programme and timings hit the spot, making very best use of our time (and energy!). The speakers have been a powerful combination and have given us a huge amount of thought provoking material (linear and non-linear!) which not only stimulated the small group discussions but have left me with many ideas which will help me to grow as a Catholic Christian in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you very much to the team!
This has been a great experience in so many ways: fellowship, ministry, support, small group sharing… I’ve loved it and have been given a chance to renew myself and listen to God. Thank you for the ministry, organisation and vision. I am so grateful for your service and care. Once again my life has been touched in a profound and deep way. Quite an incredible experience!
Thank you for the weekend. I enjoyed being with other men and growing as a man in the Lord. My wife will be pleased! God bless you all.
Great weekend. My first time at Stonyhurst. The room and food were good, very good. The group mixture was good, having people from all different regions. The workshop subjects were good and well prepared. The timings were good and the main sessions well presented.
As an elder of the Church of Scotland I have appreciated the warm welcome from my brothers in the Catholic Church. It has been great to learn more of the Catholic teachings and traditions, even more to hear God speaking to me about His calling on my future life. Jesus is fantastic!
This is my first visit to one of these weekends. I found it stimulating and interesting in such a sceptical and cynical world to find so many men gathering together with such spirituality and conviction, sincerity and commitment. I enjoyed it very much and have a great deal to take home and think about in the future. I feel I shall probably have to change my attitudes from being very linear in thinking, to bringing LIFE and FAITH closer together! Thank you for this life-enhancing and most enjoyable weekend.
Buzz - the whole place was alive with buzz. This was my first visit to a large Christian gathering (outside church!!), and what a buzz! The speakers were outstanding, inspirational, relevant, moving, funny. The small groups were revitalising, affirming, humbling and uplifting. The worship was great with the songs buzzing round my head for days. The fellowship was extraordinary. Oh yes, and just to get away to such a quiet and peaceful location, with great food and facilities was worth the ridiculously small fee. So why wouldn’t you want to go? I had a brilliant time – thank you to all the team.

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