“ENHANCING FORMATION SKILLS” PROGRAMME CONCLUDES AT SUMEDHA

The “Enhancing Formation Skills” programme concluded very successfully at Sumedha Centre today. 

This two-week training programme commenced on May 7. This was a special programme organized to mark the 20^th anniversary of Sumedha Centre.

The two facilitators were Johny Nedungatt and Jose Parappully.

The programme provided theoretical input as well as opportunities for participants to reflect on their experiences in the light of the inputs provided and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. 

It was organised in such ways as to help participants gain a deeper understanding of themselves  as formators and of their  formees and develop the attitudes, dispositions and skills needed to be more effective formators.

The content of the programme included topics such as:

Portrait of a Formator, Spirituality of a Formator, Psychosexual Integration of Formees, Formation and Emotional Development, Formation Environment, Mental and Emotional Health, Psychosexual Integration, Healing Interventions, Vocational Discernment, and  Spiritual Direction.

Besides the intellectual activities, there were also moments of community relaxation and celebrations which helped to jell the group together..

Although only eight participants (3 priests and 5 religious women) attended, all were immensely satisfied with the programme.  On a scale of 1 to 10 on Usefulness, 1 meaning “Very Little Useful” and 10, “Immensely Useful”, four gave a perfect 10, and the other four 9.

Some comments:

“Within two weeks I learned more than what I learned in a 2-year formation programme elsewhere.  The best programme I have ever attended. – a truly enriching and enhancing experience. It made me a more confident formator. Great environment. Excellent food and accommodation.” P.

“I came with lots o confusion and self-doubts. The programme was informative, practical and very effective. A transformative Emmaus experience. The very soothing, calm and quiet environment helped in self-realization. I have been enriched by the programme.” B.

“The programme was very insightful and practical. It deepened my self-awareness an enhanced my formation skills, making me more confident. There was great community spirit, everything was just wonderful.” K.

“After attending this programme, I feel now confident an competent as a formator. Very good feelings about the place. Sumptuous meals, great tam spirit.” M.

“Environment created good feelings as a I arrived at the Centre. Learned so many useful things. I am encouraged to go ahead as a formator. Enjoyed our life together. Delicious food.” S.

“In feel happy, contented and privileged. Learned much about myself as a formator. Every topic was relevant. If I didn’t attend this programme, I would have messed up my formation work. Enjoyed the life together.” J.

“The place was very welcoming. Classes very effective, enriching. Well furnished rooms. Excellent food. The atmosphere here taught me lessons on love, listening, reflection and co-operation.”  G.

“The programme gave me strength and courage to go ahead as a formator. Every class was relevant, useful. Wonderful atmosphere and accommodation.” A

 

 

Paper Presentation

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, presented an invited paper “Healing from the Effects of Sexual Abuse: Ways Formators and Spiritual Directors Can Help” at the International Symposium on “Affective Maturity in Celibate Living: Challenges in Formation.”

The Symposium was held at the Paurastya Vidyapeetham, Vadvathoor, Kottayam, Kerala on 21^st and 22^nd February.

It was jointly organized by the Dehanalaya Counselling Centre, Alapuzha, Kerala and the Paurastya Vidyapeetham.

Some 140 religious and priests, most of them involved in priestly or religious formation participated. Among them were also some Major Superiors.

The Symposium was inaugurated by His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church.

The Keynote address was given by Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the Syro-Malabar Archbishop of Chenganasserry.

Dr. Parappully in his paper presented facts and figures regarding the prevalence of sexual abuse in India, the effects of abuse and simple ways that non clinically trained formators and spiritual directors an help survivors to heal from the effects of abuse.

There were eight other invited speakers. The two reputed international speakers were Dr. Hanz Zollner SJ, President of Institute of Psychology and Vice Rector at the Gregorian University, Rome. He spoke on “Aspects of Formation to Celibate Chastity and Safeguarding” based on the new Ratio Fundamentalis promulgated by the Vatican.

The other was Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, former President of St. Luke’s Institute at Silversprings, Maryland, USA and currently at the at the Gregorian University, Rome. Rossetti spoke on “Screening and Formation to Sexuality and Safeguarding.

The papers presented were well appreciated and found very useful by the participants. They wished more time had been devoted to the speakers and for discussion, even if that meant fewer papers were presented.  

Sumedha Outreach: Workshop for Seminary Formators

Director of Sumedha Centre, Dr. Jose Parappully, a clinical psychologist, was invited to conduct a one-day workshop for the Seminary formators of all the dioceses of Madhya Pradesh.

It was organized by Fr. Mathew Vallatt, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bhopal and the Secretary of the MP Region Formator’s Forum. It was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bhopal on December 4, 2016. There were 16 participants from nine diocese.

Dr. Parappully organized the workshop around the theme “”Formative Accompaniment & Emotional Maturation”

He focused on the kind formation process that facilitated emotional maturation. He covered the following topics in this regard:  the role of trust in healthy emotional development; Importance of meeting basic emotional needs such as relatedness, competence and autonomy; facilitation of an environment that fosters these basic needs; and the need for formators to be credible and enthusiastic about the formation process.

There was ample opportunity for participants to reflect on and share their experiences in the light of the psychological insights presented.

Participants said they found the workshop – content and process- immensely helpful.

BOOK EDITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SUMEDHA CENTRE RELEASED

Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” edited by Jose Parappully SDB, PhD, the Director of Sumedha Centre, and Jose Kuttianimattathil SDB, Rector and Professor of Theology at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore, was released simultaneously in several Indian cities, on Jan 31, the feast of St. John Bosco, the Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The book was released in New Delhi, by Msgr Romanus of the Vatican Embassy along with Syro-Malabar Archbishop of Delhi, Most Rev. Kuriakose Brahmikulangara, in Chennai by Archbishop George Antonysamy, in Pune by Bishop Thomas Dabre, in Nashik by Bishop Lourdunada Daniel, in Kolkata by Fr. Thomas Ellicherayil, Provincial, in Bangalore by Most Rev.Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati, and Fr. Paul Puthenangady, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious and in Hyderabad by Rev. Suvarna Bernard, Vicar General, during large gatherings of religious and priests.

Conceived about ten years ago and intensely worked on during the past four years, the book meets the long-felt need of priests and religious to have an up to date, complete and reader friendly resource book on formation to sexual and celibate maturity. 

  

Containing 29 chapters and authored by 17 religious men and women with years of experience and expertise related to the topic, this book is a veritable mine of information coupled with very practical suggestions and exercises for growing in maturity.

The book, published by the Salesian Psychological Association and the South Asia Formation Commission of the Salesians of don Bosco,  has 29 chapters divided into two volumes.

The book has received critical acclaim from eminent personalities in the field of religious and priestly formation.

Most Rev. Bosco Penha, Former Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of Bombay, expressed the view that this "book should be of great help in the seminaries, presbyteries and religious houses" and that it "would certainly help to give us better integrated priests and sisters.” 

Rev. Francesco Cereda, General Councillor for Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, considers the book to be  "a precious help to anyone interested in the area of psychosexual maturity and celibacy, especially superiors and formation guides." 

M. C. Abraham, psychologist and former Programme Director at Sadhana Institute, Lonavla ,described it as  "a precious hand book for formees, formators, psychotherapists as well as decision makers" and recommended it "whole-heartedly to anyone who is seriously interested in the ministry of formation for mission.” 

Sr. Inigo, Former Superior General of the Sisters of St. Anne, described the book as  "a 'must read' and a brilliant guide for all those who are formators, spiritual directors, bishops, superiors, priests and religious.” 

For Brother Joseph Philip Pinto, Congregation Leader of the Christian Brothers, this is a  book that is "thorough in its research and all-encompassing in scope" and which "helps us to face our sexuality, accept it and live it with courage and freedom." 

The book can be ordered from  from: Kristu Jyoti Publications. Kristu Jyoti College. Bosco Nagar. K. R. Pura, Bangalore. 560036. India. kristujyotipub@yahoo.co.in   Phone. +91- 80- 28474139 

September saw a number of Sumedha Outreach programmes led by its Director, Fr. Jose Parappully.

September 5-10.  Programme for Formators - Puri

A five-day programme for formators of the Orissa region was held at Ishopranti Ashram, Puri, Orissa. It was entitled “Healthy Formation Environment and Some Challenges.” There were 19 participants including rectors of seminaries and novice mistresses.

The programme began with a reflection on how participants felt about their ministry of formation and the formation process in general. The person of the formator, the formation environment, healthy psycho-sexual and celibate integration were some of the topics explored.

The formators found the programme very useful. It provided them awareness and insights about themselves and the formation process. The topic found most useful was “Psychosexual and Celibate Integration.” 

“The programme helped me to look at myself. I received helpful information and insights about myself and the formation process,” observed one participant.

“The topics were very well presented,” commented another.

“All formators should undergo a programme like this” was a suggestion made by several of the participants.

September 12-14. South Asian Formation Commission Meeting - Kolkata

Fr. Parappully was an invitee at the Meeting of the South Asian Formation Delegates from the various Salesian Provinces. Besides the delegates, the meeting was attended by Fr. Francesco Cereda, the Salesian General Councillor for Formation, Fr. Chrys Saldanha from the Formation Department at the Salesian Generalate in Rome, Fr. Loddy Pires, the Chairperson of the South Asian Formation Commission and Fr. E. A. Thomas, the Salesian Provincial of Kolkata.

On 13^th Fr. Parappully explored the theme “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” in an interactive workshop. He had four 90-minute sessions with the participants. He presented some of the current challenges in the area of psychosexual and celibate integration and pointed out implications for formation.

The programme was held at the Salesian Provincial House in Kolkata.

September 19-24. Retreat for Priests- Varanasi.

Fr. Parappully facilitated a retreat for priests at Nav Sadhana, Varanasi from September 19 to 24. There were 36 priests from the diocese of Varanasi, Jamshedpur and Gumla.

The retreat focused on the identity and ministry of the priest as “Bearer of the Mystery of God and Doctor of the Soul.” The retreat – content and format - was much appreciated by the participants.