SPIRITUALITY AND DEMENTIA
Three members of the Commission are members of the group, led by Elizabeth Hughes of the Bridgend deanery with the support of Monsignor Bob Reardon, working in the archdiocese to promote good practice in the pastoral support offered to those experiencing dementia and their families.
The Bridgend and Pontypridd Spirituality & Dementia Workshop held in September at All Hallows, Miskin, and the Archdiocesan Awareness Day held at St. Joseph’s School Newport in October 2010 were both very successful in raising awareness of the issue and suggesting how best we can move forward in our Archdiocese.
- Monsignor Bob Reardon and the trainer, Ben Bano at the awareness day in St Joseph’s high School Tredegar Park, Newport
Between the two workshop days over 100 people attended which included clergy, family members, carers, Eucharistic Ministers, SVP, Legion of Mary, UCM and parishioners, as well as members of other faith denominations. Both days certainly increased people’s awareness of the issue, and pointed to ways of moving forward.
Since then the work has progressed, focussing initially in the Bridgend deanery. Two quiet days for carers have been held, and on March19th 2013 at All Hallows church in Miskin, Archbishop George Stack officiated at a mass for dementia patients and their carers. It is hoped that this mass will become an annual event.
Participants at the awareness day
The present phase of the work is focussed on the need to give guidance to eucharistic ministers who take holy communion to people with dementia in their own homes, in hospital or in residential care homes. It is hoped that the first pilot session on October 12th for the Bridgend and Pontypridd deaneries will be developed later in other deaneries.
Forthcoming event:
Archdiocese of Cardiff
Bridgend & Pontypridd Deaneries
Spirituality & Dementia
Guidance for Eucharistic Ministers
Saturday 12th October 2013
Tea & Coffee from 10:00am
10:30am – 2:30pm
Please bring a packed lunch
Dr. Val Evans (Retired Psychiatrist)
Fr. John Meredith (Chair Diocesan Liturgy Commission)
All Hallows Parish Centre
School Road, Miskin, Llantrisant, CF72 8PG