Programme 

The Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality, Oxford
will hold its second annual:

Scripture &  Spirituality  Conference

We regret that the Conference will be postponed until 2021

(look for information on other events which we hope to hold this year)

10th – 12th July 2020

Main theme:
Meeting Christ in the Scriptures

Complementary theme:
Addiction, Mental Health and Spirituality

Keynote speakers:

Andrew Newberg, M.D.
Topic: How God Changes Your Brain
Have you ever wondered where in the brain we think about God? Whether God exists or not, God changes in our brain in many fascinating ways. This talk, based on the best selling book How God Changes Your Brain, reviews some of the most recent research on spiritual practices like meditation and prayer—a growing field called neurotheology. We will also review how the brain pictures God, feels about God, and thinks about God. We will consider both the positive and negative sides of religion—when religion makes people charitable and altruistic versus a terrorist. Finally, we will discuss how we might foster the more compassionate side of religion and the brain. This information will provide fascinating ideas to reflect on and consider for everyone’s spiritual beliefs.

Topic: Spirituality and Physical/Mental Health: Clinical and Research Perspectives
Andrew considers the relationship between health and spirituality or religiousness. Several topics are covered, including:

• The hypothesized associations between spiritual experiences and improved mental or physical health

• The hypothesized associations between spiritual experiences and psychological disorders

• The possible mechanisms for the effects of religion and spirituality on health

• How spirituality can directly help improve quality of life, both physically and psychologically

• How various spiritual interventions from prayer to meditation can be utilized in clinical practice

Dr. Edward Sri, PhD
Topics: “Philippians 3: The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ Jesus”
“Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John.”
Edward Sri is a well-known theologian, author and speaker. He has written several best-selling books and is an adjunct professor at the Augustine Institute, Colorado, United States.

Father Dominic Allain
Topic: Hope Amidst Trauma: A Christ-Centred Approach.
Fr Dominic Allain is a Catholic priest and the International Pastoral Director of Grief to Grace, a specialised programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered sexual, physical, emotional or spiritual abuse in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Father Matt Blake, OCD
Topic: St Teresa – Her experience of Jesus
Fr Matt is a Discalced Carmelite of the Anglo-Irish Province. He has been the Regional Delegate and the Prior of Boars Hill and Kensington priories. He is the National Director of the Carmelite Secular Order, UK and in this capacity has developed an extensive Carmelite ministry in the doctrine of our saints and the Carmelite tradition. He has given retreats over many years and is well known as a spiritual director and speaker.

Father Vincent O’Hara, OCD
Topic: ‘Loving Jesus like He has never been loved before’ – The Experience of St Thérèse of LisieuxFr Vincent is a Discalced Carmelite of the Anglo-Irish Province. He is part of the leadership of the Province and currently the Prior of Avila Spirituality Centre, Dublin. He is a well-known speaker and has given retreats as well as courses on Carmelite spirituality over many years.

Dr Joanne Mosley
Topic: A Glimpse Beyond the Veil:  Reading the Scriptures with Edith Stein

The is a digital conference

For further information and to book live stream, please contact: 07849 596572 / conference@oxcacs.org