The Bishop of the Forces and the Royal Air Force Pastoral Advisory Group Visit the Carmelite Priory at Boars Hill,
Oxford 3th to 5th February 2026

The Royal Air Force Pastoral Advisory Group (PAG) were honoured that Bishop Paul was able to join with them for their annual residential meeting and period of reflection which, this year, took place at the Carmelite Priory at Boars Hill, Oxford.  As well as Bishop Paul, the RAF Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (RAF PRCC), Rev (Wg Cdr) Dave Skillen, attended with all the other RAF RC Chaplains. 

The RAF PAG is made up of the RAF Catholic Chaplains as well as lay members of the RAF and exists to support the RAF PRCC to better minister to Catholics in the RAF Family.  Over the many years that the RAF PAG has functioned it has organised many events and initiatives including annual retreats, pilgrimages, the RAF Annual Masses, and faith formation opportunities.

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The PAG meets 4 times each year to plan and organise its activities.  The meetings mostly take place online but the PAG meets in person in February for an extended period to conduct a meeting, to have a period of reflection, and to foster greater fellowship.  This year we enjoyed a wonderful visit to the St John Henry Newman Centre at Littlemore, as well as a meal out at a local hostelry. 

We were also very grateful to Monseigneur John Walsh, a former RAF PRCC, who was able to attend our gathering and led us in some periods of reflection.  His former service as an RAF Chaplain meant that the content of his sessions was both highly relevant and reflective. 

We must also thank the generosity of the RAF RC Trustees without whose support we could not have had this residential meeting.  One of the Trustees, Air Cdre Leah Griffin was able to attend our residential and these are her thoughts following the meeting.

A Reflection by Air Cdre Leah Griffin

It was an honour to be invited by the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain Reverend (Wg Cdr) Dave Skillen to join PAG’s annual retreat which took place at the Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill – a place of peace and tranquillity on the outskirts of Oxford.

‘The man without religion is frequently dull and languid or feverish and restless; he does not realize what is missing in his life. He forms for life some idol, fame or fortune or power or pleasure, and feeds on these weeds of the field rather than the Truth of God’ (Saint John Henry Newman)

This quote resonated as a central theme of the retreat as at the heart of the mission of the PAG is the desire to share the Good News with others across the Armed Forces community through our witness of faith. A key highlight of the 3-day retreat was a visit to The College in Littlemore where Saint John Henry Newman lived between 1842 – 1846, making it a place of quiet prayer and study for himself and some friends.

It was at the College on 9 October 1845 that Newman was received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church by Blessed Dominic Barberi, an Italian missionary priest. Many on the retreat observed a deep rooted connection with Saint John Henry Newman, either because of familiarity with his roots at the Birmingham Oratory, the recent focus on his life of holiness with his recent appointment as a Doctor of the Church , or having attended his beatification mass, or in the case of Reverend (Sqn Ldr) James Mealy to have concelebrated at the mass in 2010 in Cofton Park, Birmingham – what a privilege!  

The tour of the College was led by Sr Caroline a member of the Spiritual Family of The Work (FSO) and provided us with a rich insight into the spiritual journey and the humility of this great saint. The visit culminated with group prayer and a song of praise in the personal chapel that was used by Saint John Henry Newman.

The location of Boars Hill provided the perfect place for peaceful reflection with the ability to join in the Daily Office and to share in worship with this joyful and humble Carmelite community. We were also joined by Father John Walsh (former Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain of the RAF) who generously delivered two sessions for PAG retreatants.

Focusing on the central tenets of the Mass, it was fascinating to hear how he was able to sow seeds that yielded much fruit during his time in the RAF with the location of a cockpit over Mount Sinai providing the perfect backdrop for a quick lesson in some key Biblical events!  Fr John encouraged us to go out and spread the Good News to others, and observed that his ministry in the RAF was the most rewarding of his vocation to-date.

It was great to see first-hand, the enthusiasm of those serving on the PAG and the focus they place on enriching the lives of others, either through the organisation of retreats, the International Military Pilgrimage, HCPT, or many other events besides. Aided by financial support from the Bishopric Trust, they work quietly in the background to bring hope to others and may never fully appreciate the impact they are having on those around them.

May their work continue to be blessed with abundant fruit under the watchful patronage of Saint John Henry Newman:

Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet;
I do not ask to see the distant scene;
one step enough for me.

May Saint John Henry Newman Pray for Us