Sumedha Outreach –Thailand 2018. 4. Bangkok SPIRITUAL RE-AWAKENING IN THE POST-MIDLIFE YEARS

The fourth invited programme Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha, conducted in Thailand this year was also at Bangkok.

This programme entitled “Spiritual Re-Awakening in the Post Midlife years” was for the Infant Jesus Sisters. Thirty two Sisters including the Provincial Superior, Sr. Jane, participated. Most of these sisters were over 60 years. It was held on 17 and 18^th February.

The first day’s programme was held at the Provincialate of the St. Gabriel Brothers. Dr. Parappully explored with the sisters the psycho-spiritual dynamics of the post midlife years and proposed a spirituality that respects the dynamics of these years.

This included a Spirituality of Diminishment, Spirituality of Slowing Down, Contemplative Spirituality, Spirituality of Gratitude and a Spirituality of Mentoring.

The second day’s programme was held at the Provincial House of the Infant Jesus Sisters in Bangkok. On this second day Dr. Parappully explored with the sisters how Lent can be a time for spiritual Re-Awakening, by entering the metaphoric desert with Jesus to experience “Wilderness” and “Paradise” – to encounter one’s on “Inner Demons” and intimacy with God around the Word of God.

Two spiritual practices recommended for this spiritual re-awakening were Centering Prayer and the Lectio Divina. Both the practices were explained to the sisters and they had time to practice them.

Sumedha Outreach –Thailand 2018. 3. TEACHERS’ PROGRAMME: MEDITATIVE PRACTICES AND SELF-AWARENESS

The third invited programme that Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre conducted in Thailand this year was at Bangkok, the capital city.

It was for the teachers of the Holy Infant Jesus Convent School on 16^th February. Seventeen  teachers including the Manager of the School, Sr. Jane, participated.

The programme focused on personal growth of the teachers and was entitled: “Enhancing Personal and Professional Efficacy Through Meditative Practices and Self-Awareness.”

Keeping with the topic time was devoted to learning and practicing Meditation and Meditative Prayer, especially Centering Prayer, and growing in Self-Awareness through reflection on one’s life journey with the help of the video film “River Mee.”

A fourfold approach of Input, Introspection, Interaction and Intercession was followed.

Participants recognized the necessity of taking quiet time for themselves in their busy day for personal and professional effectiveness. They found Meditation and Centering Prayer very useful tools.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH TO THAILAND – 4 &5

The Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited by the Congregation of Infant Jesus in Thailand to animate two programmes there.

Psychospiritual Integration During the Post-Midlife years.

The first was for 29 Senior Sisters of the Congregation on 29^th February and March 2. The theme of the programme was “Psychospiritual Integration During the Post-Midlife years.”

On the first day, Dr Parappully presented the psychological Dynamics of the post midlife years and their impact on one’s spiritual journey.

The second day focused on “Graceful Aging.” Parappully presented latest research data on successful aging and provided practical strategies and tools to help the participants to find meaning, satisfaction and enjoy good physical and mental health.

He also presented the characteristics of a “Holistic Spirituality for the Post-Midlife Years.”

Participants found the two days’ programme very meaningful and useful.

Educating with the Heart

The second programme on March 2^nd was for the teachers of the Infant Jesus Convent School, an institution that offers vocational training for young women.

Fourteen teachers participated along with the Manager of the School, who is also the Provincial of the Congregation in Thailand.

The theme of this one-day Workshop was: “Educating with the Heart.”

 Dr. Parappully presented the psychological dynamics of late adolescence and early adulthood and some useful guidelines that help teachers deal more effectively with the emotional reactions of students.

Teachers had the opportunity to reflect on the way they handle their own and the student’s emotional responses, share them in groups and come up with some concrete action plan to enhance their relationship with students.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH TO THAILAND – 3

The third programme that Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, facilitated in Thailand this year was a Spiritual Retreat organized by the Congregation of the  Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bangkok. Thirteen Sisters of the Sacred Heart attended. They were joined by three Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

The Retreat was held between the 22^nd 28^th of February at the Hadharuthai Retreat House at Hua Hin, owned and operated by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. It is a beautiful facility on the ocean beach, providing a very conducing atmosphere for prayer and reflection (and good sea- food!).

Keeping in mind the Year of Consecrated Life, the theme of the Retreat was “Consecrated Life: A Journey into the Desert.”

Topics covered included: Retreat as a Desert Journey; Call to Renewal of Love and Devotion; Consecrated Life; Community: Journeying Together; Forgiveness, Reconciliation & Healing, and Jesus of Nazareth – Sacrament of the Father.

The Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation concluded with a Healing Service.

Each day began with the Eucharist during which the theme of the day was introduced. This theme was further elaborated during the talk in the morning.

Participants spent the rest of the day in personal prayer around the word of God. Participants were given specific passages from Sacred Scripture in keeping with the theme of the day to reflect on and pray with.

At the end of the day participants had opportunity to bring all their experiences before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament during an hour of prayer together.

Many of the participants found the Retreat very useful and meaningful. For many of them this was a different kind of retreat than the ones they were used to.

What they appreciated most was the time to be alone with God in quiet meditation on the Word of God and personal prayer.

Some said this was the best retreat they had ever made.

SUMEDHA DIRECTOR SPEAKS AT “DAY OF RELIGIOUS” AT BANGKOK

Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was one of the two speakers at a Panel Discussion on “Happy Religious Life” held at St. Joseph’s Convent, Siloam, Bangkok on Saturday 7^th February.

The Day of Religious is an annual gathering of all the members of religious orders in the dioceses of Bangkok.

The day began with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Cardinal Designate Most Rev. Francis Xavier, the Archbishop of Bangkok. He was accompanied at the altar by the Papal Nuntio to Thailand and Laos, the newly appointed Papal Nuntio to Zimbabwe, four other bishops and about 60 priests.

The religious sisters and brothers who are celebrating the diamond, golden and silver jubilee of their religious profession this year were specially honored.

There were about 800 religious men and women present for the occasion.

A very sumptuous lunch followed.

The panel discussion was held in the afternoon. Fr. Apisit, the Provincial of the Redemptorist fathers was the Moderator.

The other speaker at the panel along with Fr. Parappully was Sr. Ruangkanchana, an Ursuline nun and a former Provincial.

Fr. Apisit fielded questions on religious life and the two panel speakers responded. There were also questions from the floor. The panel discussion lasted an hour and half.

The focus of the discussion was the Apostolic Letter “Rejoice” issued by the Vatican Congregation for Religious Life and the Apostolic Institutes on the occasion of the beginning of the Year of Consecrated Life on Nov 30, 2014.

The audience were greatly appreciative of the quality of the discussions.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH IN THAILAND

Since Sumedha Centre is closed in winter, we are able to avail our services outside the Centre during those months.

In January Jose Parappully, the Director of the Centre was invited to facilitate two programmes in Thailand.

The first was at the “Sisters Centre” at Sampran, some two hours journey by road from Bangkok. This programme “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” was organised by the Conference of the Major Religious Superiors of Women of Thailand and Laos. Thirty nine women religious from seven different congregations attended.

After presenting the dynamics and transformational processes of midlife Parappully focused more on different aspects psychosexual integration and celibate maturity. The topic that was found to be most helpful was “Celibate Friendship.”

Parappully was assisted by Sr. Ruangkanjana Chinnapha who, although called to translate from English to Thai, was able to explain things in her own inimitable and exciting style, which made it so much easier for the sisters, many of whom were not very fluent in English to better grasp the ideas presented. I am very grateful to Sr Ruang for her presence and help.

The second programme was held at “Baan Phu Waan” Pastoral training Centre of the Archdiocese of Bangkok in Bangkok . The facilities and services at Baan Phu Waan are at par with that of a five star hotel!

The programme there entitled “ Healing from the Effects of Sexual Abuse” was originally meant for the formators of two women’s congregations – Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Sacred Heart Sisters of Bangkok. Sisters from these Congregations had earlier attended programmes at Sumedha Centre. The programme was eventually extended to others as well.  There were all together 36 participants – 6 priests, one lay man, and 29 religious women, including some Mother Generals, representing 14 congregations and the Archdiocese of Bangkok.

Participants of both programmes found them extremely relevant and useful for their personal and professional growth and well-being. Participants of both programmes received Certificates of Participation.

Parappully had also the opportunity do some sightseeing and experience the culture of Thailand. He was also very happy to have met a few of the sisters who had participated earlier in programmes at Sumedha Centre – Sr. Subha, Pornthip, Nurjara, Panarat, Chavala, and Waraporn and visit their communities. They send their good wishes to their fellow participants in Sumedha programmes.