What does it mean to be human? Are we dependent on our thinking minds to be fully human? How we answer these questions is important because afflictions that affect our ability to think clearly are common: for example, severe mental illness, dementia, brain injury and neurodegenerative conditions. They have significant consequences for the individual, their family and friends, and society. They also raise profound spiritual questions about what it means to be “a person”, and about God and faith.
This retreat will explore the concepts of personhood and spirituality in a Christian context.
The weekend is led by Rose McCrave, and John and Catherine Hindle. John is a retired consultant physician with many years’ experience in the management of the neurological problems of older people including Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and he is very interested in spirituality and the mind. Rose and Catherine regularly accompany retreats at St Beuno’s. Rose is passionate about sharing the joys and sorrows of caring for her mother who is living with dementia and depression.Catherine worked as a GP for many years and has experience of caring for older family members with illnesses affecting brain function.
The weekend will provide a mix of input sessions, prayer and opportunities for mutual exploration, discussion and sharing of experiences. This is not a silent or individually guided weekend, but there will be time for silence, reflection and rest. It may be of interest to those living with neurological disability and dementia, and their carers, but would also have wider relevance to those interested in all that it means to be human.
The retreat begins at 6.30pm, (bedrooms are available from 4pm). Please try to arrive between 4pm and 5pm to have time to settle in. The retreat finishes about 3pm on the Sunday.
