SUMEDHA OUTREACH TO THAILAND – 6

The 6^th Outreach programme that Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre facilitated in Thailand this year was a module on “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” from 3^rd to 12^th March.

This 10-day module was part of a one-month Sabbatical Programme held at the Redeptorist Institute for Spirituality at Minburi, organized by the Association of Major Superiors of Men and Women Religious of Thailand and Laos.

The Institute of Spirituality is located on the sprawling campus of the Ruamrudee International School, run the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer. The provincial House of the Congregation in Thailand is also located on the school campus. Close by there is also the Church of the Holy Redeemer, a very popular place for Christian worship.

There are some very upscale housing complexes close by around a huge lake.

There were 24 participants – 22 women and 2 men- doing the Sabbatical programme. Their age ranged from late thirties to the sixties and seventies.

Topics covered during the Module included: Midlife and Post-Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual journey, Psychosexual and Celibate Integration at Midlife and Beyond, Celibate Friendship and Holistic-Ecological Spirituality.

Participants were very appreciative of the programme and found the immensely useful, many of the giving a 10 out of 10 on Degree of Usefulness.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT BAREILLY

Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited to facilitate a workshop on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” for the priests of the diocese of  Bareilly, UP,  on 11^th December.

Almost all the priests of the diocese and the bishop, a total of about 70, participated. Parappully introduced the workshop observing that reflection and research on failure of catholic priests in recent years in regard to living their celibate commitment faithfully had concluded that the Catholic church had done a very poor job in preparing its priests to live a life of chaste celibacy.

The Salesians of Don Bosco have tried to address this lacuna by publishing a two volume book “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: A Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” (which got sold out in 10 months!) of which Parappully is the primary editor. He would present a section of that book at the workshop.

Parappully focused on “Sexual Boundary Violations” and presented data on Dual Relationships, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse - both Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Abuse and their implications.

At the end of the Workshop, Fr. Royal Anthony, who spoke on behalf of the participants said that the workshop had come at a very opportune time, had helped them to reflect on these very important issues and realize the need to address the issues in helpful ways. The workshop, he said, had been facilitated in an excellent way.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH: SEMINAR ON PSYCHOSEXUAL INTEGRATION AT HYDERABAD

The Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was the main presenter at a Seminar in Hyderabad on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” – the theme of the book he recently co-edited.

The Seminar was organised by the Salesian Psychological Association in collaboration with the Salesian Province of Hyderabad. It was held at the Salesian Provincial House, near Himmatsagar.

Around 50 Salesians (Rectors, leaders of communities, and the Delegates of various Commissions) and around 25 catholic nuns from around Hyderabad, as well as from far away New Delhi, participated.

This was the third Seminar on the theme that the Salesian Psychological Association organised. The first was in February in New Delhi, and the second in April in Bangalore.

Parappully had presented at the previous two seminars as well. At Hyderabad he made four presentations: Emotional Maturity and Psychosexual Integration Across the Life Span; Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behaviours; Healing from the Effects of Sexual Abuse; and Psychosexual Integration, Celibate Maturity and Spirituality.

The other presenters at the Seminar were Jose Kuttianimattathil (Co- Editor of the book) on Psychosexual Integration, Celibate Maturity and Formation; John Tharakan on Boundary Violations, Gender and Legal Issues; and Anton Paul on Canon Law and Sexual Boundary Violations. Sr Gracy and Fr. John Sebastian (both Novice Masters) joined the presenters in a panel discussion.