Each Lighthouse gathering brings together the Catholic faithful to worship, pray and receive from the riches of the Church. At its heart, the day is simple but powerful: times of praise and worship, sound and Spirit-filled teaching, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, the celebration of Holy Mass, and opportunities for personal prayer ministry. These elements come together to create a space where people can encounter God’s love, experience healing and encouragement, and be renewed for their daily lives and mission.

Lighthouse events are deliberately open and accessible, welcoming individuals, prayer groups and parish communities alike. They reflect the deeper vision of the Charismatic Renewal: a Church alive in the Holy Spirit, rooted in the sacraments, and growing in unity, expectancy and joyful faith. In this way, Lighthouse serves not only as an event, but as a catalyst—helping to build a renewed, Spirit-filled culture within the life of the Church.

Part of the vision is also to bring this experience of renewal to different parts of the Diocese. By moving from place to place, Lighthouse invites wider participation and strengthens connections across communities. Each gathering has its own particular character, shaped by its location, theme and speakers, while remaining grounded in the same core mission: to create space for the Holy Spirit to renew hearts and strengthen the Church for mission.

We are therefore delighted to announce that the next Lighthouse event will take place on Saturday 28th November 2026 at St Martha’s Catholic Church, Bexhill-on-Sea, part of the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary. Set in this welcoming coastal community, the day will provide an opportunity for the Diocese to gather once again in prayer, worship and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

While details of the theme, speakers and full programme are still being finalised, the day will follow the familiar Lighthouse pattern of Spirit-filled worship, faithful teaching and rich sacramental life. Whether you have attended previously or this will be your first time, you are warmly invited to come and experience a day set apart for encounter with the Lord.

Please do keep the date free and watch this space for further details. Lighthouse offers a precious opportunity to step aside from the busyness of daily life, to encounter God afresh, and to be renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit—so that we may return strengthened for the life of the Church and the mission of the Gospel.

At the heart of the conference is a simple but profound vision: to gather in praise and worship, to receive sound and Spirit-filled teaching, and to celebrate the Eucharist at the centre of daily life. Each day is structured around worship, talks from experienced local and international speakers, and the celebration of Holy Mass—“the source and summit” of the Church’s life.

The conference is deeply rooted in the life of the Catholic Church while fully embracing the grace of the Charismatic Renewal. It provides a space where the gifts of the Holy Spirit—teaching, prophecy, healing and prayer ministry—can be exercised in a way that is faithful to Catholic doctrine and open to renewal. Participants are invited not only to deepen their personal relationship with Christ, but also to experience the transforming work of the Spirit in a communal setting.

Typically held over several days, the gathering includes vibrant praise and worship, scripture-based teaching, healing services, and opportunities for personal prayer ministry. Many who attend speak of being renewed in faith, healed in heart, and strengthened in their call to mission. The conference is therefore not simply an event, but a time of spiritual formation—equipping people to live more fully as disciples in everyday life.

While clearly Catholic in identity, the conference also resonates more widely with the broader Charismatic Renewal. It reflects that same call to a Church alive in the Spirit—renewed in worship, rooted in Scripture, and united in mission. In this sense, it forms part of a larger movement of renewal that crosses historic boundaries, drawing Christians into a deeper experience of God’s love and presence.

For individuals, prayer groups, and parish communities alike, the Birmingham Conference offers a valuable time to step aside from the demands of daily life, to be refreshed in the Spirit, and to return strengthened for service in the Church and the world.

Monday 10th to Friday 14th August

St. John’s Hotel 651 Warwick Road Solihull B91 1AT

The Big Church Festival is widely recognised as the UK’s largest Christian music festival, gathering tens of thousands of believers each year for a vibrant weekend of worship, teaching and community. Held over the August bank holiday at the beautiful Wiston Estate in West Sussex, it offers a powerful opportunity to encounter God alongside the wider Body of Christ.

Originally launched in 2009 as “Big Church Day Out,” the festival has grown into a multi-day gathering featuring a rich mix of contemporary Christian music—from worship and gospel to pop, rock and rap. Yet what makes Big Church Festival particularly significant is its deeply ecumenical character. Christians from across traditions—charismatic, evangelical, Anglican, Catholic and more—gather in a visible expression of unity, celebrating a shared faith in Christ that transcends denominational boundaries.

In this sense, the festival represents a valuable and visible dimension of the Charismatic Renewal in our time. It reflects a Church that is open to the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, expectant in worship, and increasingly conscious of its unity across traditions. Here, different streams of the Church come together—not losing their distinctiveness, but enriched through encounter, shared worship and a common hunger for God’s presence.

At its heart, Big Church Festival is far more than a music event. While the line-up consistently features leading Christian artists, the deeper purpose is to create an environment where worship becomes encounter—where praise, prayer and creativity open space for God to move. Across multiple stages, worship tents and ministry spaces, there is a strong sense of expectancy and openness to the Spirit’s leading.

The festival is also intentionally shaped around community and family life. With dedicated programmes for children and young people, alongside creative activities and places for rest and fellowship, it offers a welcoming environment for all ages. Set in the rolling landscape of the South Downs, the experience is further enriched as campsites become vibrant, temporary communities marked by joy, hospitality and shared faith.

For many, Big Church Festival is more than an annual event—it is a sign of hope. It offers a glimpse of a united, Spirit-filled Church worshipping together, and a foretaste of the renewal and unity we long to see more fully realised.