A JOYOUS AND GRACE-FILLED CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a joyous season because we recall a momentous event in the history of the Universe. God took on our flesh and blood, so that we could see God's compassionate face in Jesus of Nazareth.

The Incarnation has set in motion a process of healing the ruptured world and broken lives. We are so fortunate to be part of that process - experiencing healing and providing healing.

May this Christmas bring you healing and peace.

Special wishes to those of you have been part of the healing process at Sumedha Centre. May the New Year bring you many blessings as you continue your Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey.

LAST PSYCHOSPIRITUAL WHOLENESS JOURNEY FOR THE YEAR 2011

The last Sumedha Sadhana (Psychospritual Wholeness Journey) for the year 2011 concluded on November 29.  The sixty day programme commenced on October 01 and had 19 participants – 12 religious women, and 7 religious men and priests – the maximum the Centre was able to accommodate.

The major module was entitled “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” and was facilitated by Jose Parappully PhD, the Director of the Centre. Starting from the “Now Period” of their lives, participants were helped to take an inner journey back to the beginnings of their lives and forward to anticipated time of death. On that journey they explored such issues as Spirituality, Prayerfulness, Early Developmental Experiences, Midlife Dynamics of Identity, Intimacy, Generativity and Integrity, Stress and Professional Burnout, Body, Sexuality & Spirituality, Trauma, Healing & Transformation.

Ajoy Fernandes PhD facilitated a module entitled “Jungian perspectives on Self-Awareness” in which he helped the participants to t discover their personality type and its impact on their spirituality, discover and integrate their persona and shadow, their animus and anima.

Shalini Mulackal PhD explored feminist and women’s spiritualities with the participants. She explained the concepts and the dynamics involved in the context of women’s situation within Church and society.

The climax of the programme was the 10-day group therapy led by experienced psychotherapists Peter Lourdes PhD and Jose Parappully PhD and the 5-day spiritual retreat facilitated by Jose Parappully. The retreat integrated techniques and tools from directed and preached retreats, and used music and dance, and fantasy and somatic movement meditations.

Feedback from participants show that the quality and the effectiveness of the programme as a whole exceeded their expectations.

Some typical comments:

“Sumedha Sadhana was a programme that facilitated deep reflection on my life’s journey; very valuable inputs; opportunity and guidance to undertake processes that led me to deeper awareness and openness to God’s working within me; a beginning of the healing process in a number of areas…..My goals have been achieved…. EXCELLENT on every level.” Ananda

“Everything was super. I enjoyed every bit of my time spent here.” Mary K.

The course was very, very useful for me. It helped me to look into my self and evaluate my life from infancy to the present day. It was an experience of digging deep and discovering my self. I gained an understanding of Who am I? Where do I stand as a human being and as a committed person?.... On the whole this course was a real renewal of my life. The course was planned in a way that touched every aspect of my life….Hospitality, accommodation, food, services and facilities were all excellent. I felt really at home. Every minute need of ours was taken care of.” Lucy

“Before coming to Sumedha I was going through a lot of insecurity feelings, depressed at times, fear and anger I was facing. Now I feel I learned to handle and cope with all the happenings in my midlife.” Sushila

“Group therapy was really excellent and I gained a lot through the therapy…. I came empty to be filled, and now I go back full, experiencing freedom….Welcome, hospitality, accommodation, food, services were excellent. No where we will get such kind of services.” Mary J.

“My sumedha Experience will help me to lead a meaningful life and age gracefully.” Vimal

“The degree of usefulness is 10 out of 10. It has been useful to understand myself and my problems and given me understanding of causes of many of my personal problems…The subjects were dealt very carefully and in detail. The introspection every time was very useful. Combination of psychology and spirituality is par excellent.” Vineet

“First of all it was a whole lot of new learning. It was not just learning, but rather a process which took me through experiential awareness. Outcome for me is a determination to live this experience through a process of continued growth….According to me hospitality couldn’t be better. I was at home and you made it to be so. Accommodation and food was superb according to me. Every facility I received here at Sumedha was very satisfying.” Suneet

“The programme helped me to look at my spirituality in a very personal way. I am now able to look at my midlife and my future with calm and serenity.” George

“I needed a period of break, reflection and renewal. I fell that I got much of what I needed. The programme design was greatly appropriate for me. The spiritual orientation of the programme put me on a right track. I am able to forget much of the unpleasant past, and look ahead with hope.” Mathew

“Felt at home and felt most enriching experience.” Clement.

“Sumedha – the best place to experience love, care and God.” Francis

SUMEDHA DIRECTOR INVITED TO ADDRESS CATHOLIC BISHOPS

Fr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to address the Catholic Bishops of India at a seminar on “Priests for Our Times- the Role of Bishops” organised by the National Vocation Service Centre, Pune from 17^th 21^st October. The topic assigned to him was “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Life.”

There were 33 bishops from all the three Indian Rites.

The topics that Fr. Parappully explored with the Bishops included: Some contemporary challenges such as general immaturity among priests, celibate loneliness, clericalism, sexual harassment and sexual abuse; healthy formation process, rethinking vocation recruitment, assessment and accompaniment of candidates to the priesthood and the need to put in place policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse by the clergy, to deal effectively with allegations of abuse and to care for victims of abuse.

The workshop helped the Bishops to address more seriously the issue of Psychosexual and Celibate Integration of priests and candidates to the priesthood.

SALESIAN PRIESTS CELEBRATE JUBILEE AT SUMEDHA

Sumedha Centre was happy to host 10 Salesian priests from the provinces of Guwahati and Dimapur from 27 to 29 September. They were celebrating 25 years of priesthood.

The Jubilarians spent the first two days reflecting on and sharing their experiences of the past 25 years. Fr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha, took a session on Midlife Dynamics and their implications for priestly life and ministry, which gave them further matter for sharing.

As they were all new to the Kumaon Hills, the jubilarians took time on the third day to tour the area. They were quite impressed by the surroundings, and enjoyed their visit to the various lakes in the vicinity of Sumedha Centre.

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. 

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MIDLIFE JOURNEY AT SUMEDHA CENTRE

Another Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey programme (August 17-31) was completed successfully at Sumedha Centre. The 14 participants, coming from different parts of the country, were very satisfied with the programmes and the arrangement at Sumedha Centre. Evaluating the usefulness of the programme on a 10-point scale, 1 indicating “very little useful” and 10 indicating “very much useful,” nine of the 14 participants gave a perfect 10, and the other five 9. The most useful modules were Midlife Dynamics and Transformational Processes, Characteristics of a Mature Spirituality, and Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy. This interactive workshop was facilitated by Jose Parappully, PhD, the Director of Sumedha Centre and assisted by John Minj, the Administrator.

The workshop will be offered again next year, August 17-31.

Some Comments:

“Being at midlife, this was a great opportunity for me for self-exploration, assessment of my life, and integration. I am quite happy with the accommodation, food and the facilities provided here. The beautiful green mountains and the pleasant weather was an added privilege.” Anu

“Inputs and reflection, meditation, liturgy, movies, music…everything was good and inspiring. Timetable was very relaxing. Had enough time for everything.” Celine

“It was a healing, learning experience for me. Gave me so much self-awareness. It helped me to reconcile with many aspects of my past.” Innamma

“The presentation on Spirituality was so enriching. It gave me a very different understanding. The presentation on Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy was marvellous…The programme gave me energy to move on in life.” Jeya

“It was a moment of grace and gift. I am so glad I came.” Lincy.

“The programme helped me find a new direction. I go back enriched.” Philo

“Celibate friendship, celibate chastity, and intimacy were explained in detail…The four fold dynamics of Input, Introspection, Interaction, and Prayer created greater awareness in me…The whole approach was excellent. The presentation were so good. Never felt bored or sleepy.”  Sriya

“I came here very worried and anxious… However, the programme turned out to be a great opportunity for me, for which I am deeply grateful. The inputs enriched me, gave great insights into self.” Vinaya.

SUMEDHA CELEBRATES BROTHER JOHN’S BIRTHDAY

August 8 was the Birthday of Brother John, the Administrator at Sumedha Centre. John manages the administration – taking care of the buildings, the gardens, marketing, and managing the accounts – all by himself.

Since 28^th was a Sunday and the parish was celebrating the feast of St. Monica, we had a Mass for John on 27^th Saturday evening, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the cake.

On 28^th evening we had a Birthday dinner at which along with the participants of the Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey programme going on at the Centre, we had as guests sisters from the two nearby convents and Fr. Julian Pinto, the Chancellor of Barelly diocese and Fr. Pius Menezes, Director of Suchetana Social Service Centre, Kathgodam, and our parish priest Fr. Simon D’Cuna..