Sarah Barreto has shared a short article about the GATHER conference which took place from 20–22 March.
“GATHER 2026 was a deeply prayerful and hope-filled weekend of faith, friendship and formation, bringing together 130 delegates from across the Diocese and beyond in Torquay on the fifth weekend of Lent. Shaped by the theme, “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live,” the conference offered a joyful and nourishing space in which participants could reflect on the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in their own lives.
This year’s conference focused especially on synodality as a lived experience. Avril Baigent, co-founder of the School for Synodality and Director of Pastoral Development in the Diocese of Northampton, opened the weekend by sharing the fruits of the Synod so far and exploring its potential for the renewal of parish communities. Through her guidance, delegates engaged in Conversations in the Spirit in small, facilitated groups, learning a prayerful and attentive way of listening, discerning and sharing together. What began, for some, with hesitation soon became one of the most valued aspects of the weekend, with many speaking of the depth of the conversations, the joy of genuine encounter and the sense that the Holy Spirit was truly at work among them.
On the second day, Fleur Dorrell, Biblical Apostolate Manager for the Bishops’ Conference and creator of The God Who Speaks, offered three rich and inspiring sessions. Drawing on the Book of Tobit, she explored themes of journeying, accompaniment and listening together in faith, helping delegates to see the wisdom of scripture as a living resource for the Church today. Later, through reflection on sacred art, she opened up creative and contemplative ways of encountering God, inviting participants into deeper attentiveness through beauty, silence and imagination. These sessions were again followed by Conversations in the Spirit, which many found energising, life-giving and spiritually fruitful.
The conference was greatly blessed by the presence of Bishop Nicholas, who joined participants on Saturday afternoon, shared reflections on his own journey and spoke of his experiences at the Synod gatherings in Prague and Rome. He also celebrated the concluding Mass, helping to root the conference firmly within the wider life and mission of the Church, and encouraging all present in the call to grow ever more deeply in synodality.
A particularly valued contribution also came from David Wells, whose long association with these conferences stretches back more than twenty years to their original beginnings. Drawing together the themes and experiences of the weekend, he offered a thoughtful and encouraging sense of the road ahead, helping participants to look to the future with confidence and hope.
As ever, the liturgical life of GATHER was central to the experience. Morning and evening prayer, together with the final Mass, were among the highlights of the weekend, beautifully supported by music and shared worship. Fellowship also flourished beyond the formal sessions, especially over meals and at the conference dinner, where new friendships were deepened and the warmth of the community was evident throughout.
The presence of Pauline Books and Media added another welcome dimension to the weekend, offering a carefully selected range of resources that extended the conference experience and supported ongoing faith formation.
The conference owed a great deal to the generosity and commitment of the GATHER Team, who served throughout with joy, warmth and care: Sarah Barreto, Angela Folland, Susanne Kowal, Maria Quinn, Rebecca Selby, Mark Skelton, Jonathan Stewart and Liz Toy. Grateful thanks are also due to the Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay, whose staff and management once again provided generous hospitality and excellent service.
GATHER 2026 was marked by a strong sense of renewal, shared discernment and joyful hope. It offered a living experience of the Spirit at work — drawing people together, deepening faith, and encouraging the Church to move forward with courage, openness and trust. As David Wells told us afterwards, ‘It’s a humble story of 22 or so weekends, which can be best summed up by the conversations in the bar. As one participant said to me last Saturday evening “These weekends have kept me in the Church”. “Why?” I ask myself. Perhaps the stories we also need to tell, are the stories of those on the receiving end.’”