Sumedha Sadhana Concludes

Another Sumedha Sadhana (Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey) successfully concluded on April 29. The eighteen participants were extremely satisfied with the programme. They said they received much more than they had expected. Some participants, who had attended programmes at different places earlier, considered this a unique programme – “unlike the programmes elsewhere”— and much better than those they had attended.

Topics explored included Psychological dynamics on the spiritual journey; Process, holistic, feminist and women’s spiritualities; Midlife dynamics; Sexuality, celibacy and intimacy; Psychological types, persona and shadow; Trauma, healing and reconciliation. Tools and techniques used in the exploration included Intensive Journal meditations; Expressive drawing and writing; music, movies and dance; prayer and sacred scripture. Meaningful and creative liturgies helped to deepen and further integrate the experiences. The highlights of the programme were the ten-day group therapy and the five-day directed retreat which concluded the programme.

Participants were highly appreciative of the faculty and the way they conducted themselves and their sessions: Agnes Panikulam, MA; Ajoy Fernandes, PhD; Joe Mannath, PhD; Jose Parappully, PhD; Maria Goretti, MA; Peter Lourdes, PhD.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 06 to August 04, 2010.

Another Sadhana

The first programme of 2010 is Sumedha Sadhana. It’s the 13^th time we are having this programme. The programme began on March 1^st and will go on till April 29^th. There are 18 (the maximum number we can accommodate) participants representing 16 religious congregations.

The resource persons for this Sadhana include Jose Parappully PhD, Joe Mannath PhD, Agnes Panikulam MA, Ajoy Fernandes PhD, M. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA and Peter Lourdes PhD ( appearing in the order in which their Modules are held).

Sumedha Sadhana an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 06 to August 04, 21010. Registration is in process. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

Sumedha Sadhana 2010

SUMEDHA SADHANA

A 60-DAY PSYCHOSPIRITUAL WHOLENESS JOURNEY

Offered 3 times in 2010

March 01-April 29; June 06-August 04; October 01 – November 29

Course Description: This is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

Course Content: Holistic, Process & Formative Spiritualities; Cosmic, Creation & Feminist Spiritualities; Religious & Community Life; Prayerfulness & Healthy Emotional Life; Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey; Identity & Vocational Commitment; Intimacy, Celibacy & Sexuality; Generativity, Stress & Burnout; Shadows & Subpersonalities; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; The Universe story, Jesus Story and Our Story -- are some of the major topics that will be explored. Special place is given to group therapy where participants have the opportunity to face their brokenness and fears, their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and move on to healing and wholeness. The programme concludes with a directed retreat.

Tools & Techniques: Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, multi-media, prayer & meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. (Age limit: 30-62 years)

Resource Persons: Sr. Agnes Panilkulam MA, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes PhD, Br. Gerard Alvarez MA, Fr. Godfrey D’Sa MA, PGDC, Sr. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA, Fr. Joe Mannath PhD, Fr. Jose Parappully PhD, Sr. Lucy Jacob PhD, Fr. MC Abraham PhD, Fr. Peter Lourdes PhD

Book early. For further information and registration forms, contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote PO. Nainital Dt. Uttarakhand 263127

Ph. 05942-224328. email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

Bareilly Sisters Retreat

Sisters serving in the dioceses of Bareilly had their retreat at Sumedha Centre from 25 to 30^th September. The retreat was directed by Jose Parappully, the director of the Centre. He presided at the Eucharist, led the Adoration Service in the evening, gave one talk in the morning, and provided spiritual direction once a day to the sisters.

Sisters found this retreat a meaningful one, which impacted them significantly. “This retreat was a very relaxing one. Not too many boring talks, just one meaningful one. I like that,” said Sr. Monica. “The climate and the serene atmosphere really helped.” remarked Sr. Philomena. “I could really pray. The talk was meaningful. The guidance very helpful. And the food was great,” observed Sr. Girija. She was not alone in appreciation of the food that Br, John and our cook Puneeta prepared.

Sisters were surprised that the place run by men could be so neat and clean, and comfortable. “We felt a feminine touch. The bed sheets were clean and comfortable, and the beds nicely made” more than one remarked. That’s a great compliment for our administrator, Br. John!!

Sumedha Centre Hosts Salesian Brothers

Sumedha Centre Jeolikote was the venue of the Annual Meeting of the Salesian Brothers of the Salesian Province of New Delhi from 23^rd to 25^th of this month.

On the first day, Fr. A. U. Thomas, the Province Delegate for Social Communications, shared with the Brothers the Congregation’s vision for the Social Media, and showed the Brothers how to access the wealth of information, both Salesian and other, available on the Net, and how to make use of the Salesian Internet sites to enhance their ministry. In the evening Fr. Jose Mathew, the Province Economer, discussed with the Brothers some matters that needed attention in the financial and accounting sector.

On the second and third days, the Provincial Fr. P. J. Michael and the Vice Provincial Fr. Shilanand Kerketta shared with the Brothers some of the concerns of the Congregation in regard to Religious Life and Discipline, vocational fragility and ongoing formation. The Brothers had ample opportunity to share their own views on these matters.

The Brothers also had an enjoyable tour of the nearby tourist town of Nainital before winding up their meeting and stay at Sumedha Centre.

Sumedha Centre Hosts Bareilly Priests’ Retreat

Sumedha Centre, Jeolikote, was the venue of this year’s Bareilly Diocese Priests’ Retreat which concluded this afternoon.

This is the first time Bareilly diocese is here for a programme after the Pastoral Centre of the Diocese at Jeolikote was handed over to the Salesians in June last year. The Salesians now operate Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality from the Pastoral Centre.

Thirty eight priests and the bishop attended the retreat. It was led by Fr. Fernando da Costa, a priest of the diocese of Pune and a former Chairman of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Pune diocese. He was assisted by Mr. Francis D’Souza, member of the National Catholic Charismatic Renewal team.

The focus of the retreat was on holiness of life, especially on the call to renewal of life of holiness in this year of the priest. Fr. Da Costa emphasised that priests have been empowered by God to promote holiness among his people. For that they themselves have to strive for holiness. As years pass by the initial fervour and enthusiasm coming from that empowerment can disappear and priests can settle down to a comfortable mediocrity and a mundane life, failing in their call to be burning torches. He used the metaphor of coal covered with ashes to convey this reality. No matter how much incense you pour on that ash covered coal, there will be no fragrance. The only thing one has to do is to brush of the ashes and the embers will light again and the room will be filled with the fragrance. “That,” he said to the priests, “is your challenge. You have to brush of all that diminishes your priesthood, so that the fire of holiness can burn bright again and set the world on fire.”

Mr D’Souza said this was the first time he was preaching to priests. He was very appreciative of the receptiveness of the priests to a layman’s preaching. He was also very appreciative of the facilities and care provided by Sumedha Centre. “That helped the retreat immensely,” he said.

During these five days of the retreat Sumedha Centre was alive with the sound of music. The singing of the priests, especially the Hindi bajhans, was melodious and moving and the musical accompaniment soul-stirring.

God appears to have been showering his blessing on the priests throughout the retreat. It poured and poured! The rain was incessant during the five days, and the mist pervasive, depriving the priests sight of the lovely mountains and the lush greenery, except for some rare glimpse when the weather gods chose to be kind! However, the increased cascade of the nearby stream was delightful to the ear.

John's Birthday

This evening we had a belated birthday celebration for Br. John Minj. His birthday is August 28. However, the Salesians were having thir annual retreat at the time, and we could not disturb their time with God and with themsleves with a noisy celebration!

Sisters from the two convents next door, the parish priest and Fr. Gregory, Fr. Johnny and Fr. Pius from Kathgaodam graced the occasion. We had tanduri chicken and appam and curry... and of course a nice birthday cake!

John has become quite a celebrity in Jeolikote. Everybody seems to know him! He is a great gardner, and the surroundings of Sumedha Centre are looking quite different (and beautiful) with his vegetable and flower gardens.

John has also begun English classes for the children of the neighbourhood. He started with 12 students about three weeks ago, and today he has about 50 boys and girls as students, and his popularity, in terms of number of studens who attend his classes, is ever on the increase. Infact, now he does his classes in two batches, one for the girls and one for the boys. That was a start move, because he did not want the boys and the girls to be busy with anything else than learning English in his class!