Castlerigg Manor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Manor from the front
Castlerigg Manor is a Catholic Residential Youth Centre - also often referred to as Catholic Youth Retreat Centres - in Keswick, Cumbria, in the north of England's Lake District National Park. The centre is owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, although it serves Catholic organisations from much of northern England and beyond.

The purpose of Castlerigg Manor is to run residential retreats/ courses for groups of Catholic young people. These groups come mainly from Catholic schools in the Lancaster, Salford, Liverpool and Shrewsbury dioceses, although occasionally from Catholic parishes as well, including Confirmation groups, youth groups and groups of altar servers. As of 2013 it Current estimated suggest that since its establishment in 1969, Castlerigg Manor had worked with over 100,000 young people.

History

Best estimates suggest that the building of Castlerigg Manor has existed since the late 1840s. It was originally a Manor House from which much of the land around it was owned and administered. It became a hotel in the 1920s. It was used briefly during the Second World War by the Army as a base for teaching soldiers driving in mountainous terrain.

In 1969 Monsignor Patrick O'Dea acquired the building on behalf of the Diocese of Lancaster together with the gate house which is now used as a holiday cottage. The Diocese had been involved in residential youth work in the 1960s at Lakeside House; a smaller premises in Keswick, which was fast becoming too small for the demand placed upon it.

Courses

Young People enjoying the Lake District on a summer walk

Course include some of: educational sessions, Simulation games, Discussion groups, Catholic aspects including prayers and meditation, Liturgy, confession, and mass, walks, art, creative activities, and performances, social activities, communal meals, and workshops.

All activities are related to the Gospel message and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

    </gallery>

    The Team

    The team 2005-06
    The youth work at Castlerigg Manor is done by a team of young committed Catholics. As of 2013 the director was Ruth Corless. From January 2005 until the summer of 2006, the centre director was part-time, sharing responsibilities with that of being parish priest to the town of Keswick. From August 2006 Peter Stanton became full-time residential director. The youth work is looked after by two full time Team Leaders/Programme Co-ordinators. The other members of the youth team are gap year volunteers.

    External links

    Coordinates: 54°35′52″N 3°07′34″W / 54.59777°N 3.12602°W / 54.59777; -3.12602

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.