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!

Salesian Retreat

For the first time in its history the Salesian Province of New Delhi had its annual retreat at Sumedha Centre, Jeolikote, Uttarakhand.

Sumedha Centre is the latest apostolic presence the Salesian Province of New Delhi has inaugurated. The Centre is housed in the former Pastoral Centre of the Diocese of Bareilly. The Salesians moved here in August 2008, and began offering programmes from March this year.

The Retreat was held from August 25 to 31. The theme was “Da Mihi Animas, Cetere Tolle” and was facilitated by Fr. Joseph Kezhakkekara, former and first Provincial of New Delhi, and earlier of Kolkata, and currently Rector of Don Bosco School Alaknanda, New Delhi. Twenty four Salesians participated in the Retreat

Fr. Kezhakkekara planned and presented the Retreat as a preparation for the special renewal of vows on December 18, to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Salesian Congregation. He interpreted Don Bosco’s motto “Da Mihi Animas…” as a total surrender of oneself to God and making God the priority in one’s life. He illustrated the theme by presenting examples of men and women who have totally surrendered themselves to God. He stated emphatically that only such surrender makes Salesian life worthwhile, and challenged the Retreatants to deepen and enhance their surrender to God and suggested some relevant means to do that.

“This retreat has helped me immensely to renew myself and find a new focus for my life as a Salesian and priest” said Fr. James, one of the retreatants. “The place is wonderful. The environment really helps to pray and reflect.”

Sumedha Sadhana

Our next programme at Sumedha Centre (October 01-November 19, 2009)

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness, designed to help participants live more fulfilling and satisfying lives and be more effective in their service to others.

Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psycho-spiritual journey. They try to discern what God might be telling them through all that is happening in their lives. They look at their spirituality and religious life commitment in the context of changing paradigms. They explore the quintessential Midlife Dynamics of identity (who they are), intimacy (how they integrate sexuality, affectivity and inter-personal relations) generativity (how they work and nurture future generations), integrity (how they make sense of and bring coherence to the whole of their life). They seek to better understand the impact of human sexuality and affectivity on their celibate commitment. They explore particularly the nature and challenge of celibate friendships. They explore spirituality of the body, and the phenomenon of stress and burnout. They seek to understand and appreciate the role of sacred scripture and faith traditions in promoting well-being and enhancing the spiritual journey. In group therapy they have the opportunity to discover their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and experience attitudinal and behavioural changes that facilitate healing and growth. They move toward greater psycho-spiritual integration through reclaiming their shadows, healing their hurts and reconciling unresolved issues from the past. This integrative process culminates in and concludes with a directed spiritual retreat.

Insights from various psychological theories of development, particularly Eriksonian, Attachment, Object Relations and Self Psychology as well as tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal and Jungian psychology and various expressive arts and media tools will be used to explore and enhance participants’ psycho-spiritual journey.

Sumedha Sadhana provides theoretical input as well as opportunities for participants to reflect on their experiences and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. It is hoped that through this four-fold dynamics of Input, Introspection, Interaction, and Prayer they gain a deeper feel for the psychological dynamics operating on their spiritual journey and integrate these to develop a healthier self so that they can experience greater wholeness and fruitfulness as they continue their journey into the Mystery that is God.

(Participant age limit: 30 to 60 years)

Monsoons in the Hills

Monsoons reached the hills late this year. We have only intermittent rains. But that has been sufficient to cover the hills with lush green grass.

It's beautiful to watch the mist rise and disappear. One moment you can see the mountain ranges for miles, the next moment they disappear under dense mist. However they appear very soon, for the mist lifts quickly.

Today has been an exception. It has been raining continuously since 4.00 am.

The stream next to Sumedha Centre has lots of water now, andthe sound of the cascading waters also adds to the charm of the place.

Sumedha Sadhana

Sumedha Centre has completed two Sumedha Sadhana programmes this year. The last concluded on July 30.

The comments from participants have been fantastic.

“This place is so beautiful,” Sr. Christie, a hospital administrator from Patna observed. “The lush green hills, the chirping birds, the cascading waters of the stream—all these create a wonderful environment in which to pray and reflect,” she added.

“The high quality of the inputs really enriched me, and helped to give myself a new orientation,” said Fr. Varghese, a Professor of Philosophy and a Novice Master from Sri Lanka.

“I came here confused, tired of life. I had half decided to give up all together,” disclosed Sr. Anita (name changed). “ Now I go back refreshed and renewed. Thanks to Sumedha Sadhana, I have found meaning in life again,” she said cheerfully.

Sumedha Centre

Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality

is located in the lush green Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas close to the Nepal border in the Indian State of Uttarakhand at a height of 4000 feet. It is 18 km south of the tourist town of Nainital.

Sumedha is a centre for renewal of body, mind and spirit using insights and practices from psychology and spiritual traditions.

In Sanskrit Sumedha refers to a healthy brain that controls entire body-mind systems, as well as to rejuvenation of body and mind.

In mythology, Sumedha is one of the horses that drive Surya's (Sun God's ) chariot and the one mainly responsible for guiding the destiny of an individual.

contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com