SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT NVSC, PUNE – “Immensely Useful.”

 Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha centre at Jharmari, Punjab, was invited to facilitate a training workshop on the “POCSO Act 2012 and Helping Survivors of Sexual Abuse.” The Workshop was held at the National Vocation Service Centre (NVSC), Ramwadi, Pune from October 28 to November 1, 2024.

There were 41 participants – 16 male and 25 female -- from different parts of the country. This workshop was part of a 9-month training programme for Formators (Trainers of Candidates to the Priesthood and Religious Life).  NVSC is an institution under the auspices of the Conference of Carbolic Bishops of India (CBCI).

Topics covered in this Workshop included: Personal and Professional Boundaries and Boundary Violations, Prevalence Rates of Child and Adult Sexual Abuse in India and in the Catholic Church, Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Survivor, The POCSO Act 2012 and Church Laws on Sexual Boundary Violations, and Pathways to Healing and Recovery.

The methodology included: Inputs with relevant Case Studies, Videos and Songs, Reading and Sharing of Related Texts in Small Groups, Sharing and Discussion in Macro Groups, Introspection Exercises and Journal Writing."

Feedback from the participants show that they benefitted immensely from the Workshop. Twenty seven of the 39 who provided feedback, 27 gave a perfect 10 on a scale of 1-10, one indicating “Very Little Useful” and 10 indicating “Immensely useful,” and four gave a Nine."

Some Typical Comments:

• ·         “I have had such a wonderful workshop for the first time. The workshop enlightened me in so many ways. I gained lots of knowledge on various issues. I liked the methodology of this course. You were to the point, systematic and clear and open for clarification. I enjoyed freedom to express what I wanted to say.”
• ·         “This workshop was really useful for me, because it was so much informative… The way you explained, was really good. Your way of methodology. Explaining each topic, making me share in the smaller group and bring it to the larger group were much appreciated.”
• ·         “So many of the topics were eye-openers for me. Few of the things presented I was ignorant before.”
• ·         “Questions for introspection and group discussions together with participants of both sexes helped to have a sharing in depth and to get to know issues from different perspectives.”

• ·         “I had sometimes wrongly judged people and now I can grow as a compassionate and understanding person towards those who suffer emotionally. The classes gave me lot of awareness about the intensity of people’s traumatic experiences, which opened my eyes not to become a judge over such people.”
• ·       “The workshop increased my knowledge and gave me understanding how to deal with the persons who have experienced abuse without judging but helping the person to come out of it to live fully with happiness. It increased my compassion towards the victims.”

The next Sumedha Outreach Programme is at Ernakulam, Kerala. It is a residential training workshop on the topic “Growing Toward Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity.” Details and contact information on the workshop is given in the brochure below.

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.