Be still and know that I am God - The Christian Heritage Centre

Weekend Retreat

'Be still and know
that I am God'

21st - 24th November 2024

Exploring Mindfulness, Psychology and the Christian life

Led by Fr Roger Dawson, SJ, Liz Lord and Steve Noone

This weekend explores the human condition through your own life story, in the context of the Gospel and the Christian spiritual life, using mindfulness skills and contemplative Christian prayer.

In its methodology, this retreat seeks to reclaim practices that are common to mindfulness for the Christian tradition of contemplative prayer. In particular, mindfuless practices share common ground with the tradition of apophatic prayer and theology that is deeply rooted in the monastic and the Eastern Orthodox traditions.

The retreat will make use of such practices to help participants gain a greater awareness of their own experiences, to exercise a discipline of the mind, and to place them on the threshold of prayer, with an attentiveness and disposition to God’s presence.

Retreat structure

This retreat will offer several talks over the weekend, framed by Mass, communal prayer in the morning and evening, and Adoration.

Free time for walks and reflection is built into each retreat.

Meet our retreat guides

‍Fr Roger Dawson SJ is a Jesuit priest, previously Director of St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre. He is trained as a clinical psychologist and has a long experience as retreat and spiritual director. He is currently the Superior of the Jesuits in Scotland.

Liz Lord is a tutor on the MSt in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) at the University of Oxford. Formerly she was an assistant head teacher and has worked in education at all levels.

Steve Noone is a recently retired clinical psychologist who has used mindfulness skills extensively in his practice and teaching.

About the venue

Theodore House offers a wonderful venue for any residential course. The tranquil and beautiful surroundings of the Stonyhurst estate offer a peaceful setting with endless opportunities for walks. Guests will enjoy the comfortable recreational spaces and a beautifully lanscaped garden.

For more information about Theodore House, please click here.

Timings

Thursday

Arrivals from 3pm
Retreat commences with Welcome & Orientation at 6:30pm followed by dinner

Sunday

Departures from 2pm

Cost (per retreat)

Single room: £380 p.p.*

Twin room (sharing): £290 p.p.*

*Costs include full board from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch inclusive.

“I am deeply grateful for this experience“

“The ability of the course leaders to recognise the direction that God was taking us and the insight to go with it made this retreat stand out”