Sumedha Centre did two Outreach Programmes
in September enabling many more to benefit from the Sumedha Centre’s expertise.
The first was a Psychospiritual
Retreat for the Rectors, Parish priests and Leaders of Communities
of the Salesian Province of Guwahati. Fr. VM Thomas, the Provincial who had
earlier attended a spiritual retreat facilitated by the Director of Sumedha Centre,
Jose Parappully, wanted the leaders of his Province to have a similar
experience.
The retreat was held at the Salesian
Provincial House, Guwahati between 8 and 13 September. The retreat was
presented and experienced as a “desert journey” – as “wilderness” and
“paradise” (Mark, 1, 13).
The last two days focused on the role of the Salesian Rector/Leader of Community as a “Centre of Unity” and as “Animator of Community.”
The last two days focused on the role of the Salesian Rector/Leader of Community as a “Centre of Unity” and as “Animator of Community.”
Ample time was provided for the retreatants
to experience God through Sacred Scripture
The retreatants were very appreciative of
their retreat experience. One veteran missionary observed: “In my 62 years of
Salesian religious life, this was a most unique experience.” Another simply
said, “After several years, I made a really good retreat,” a sentiment shared
by others.
The second was a Seminar on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity”
held at Kristu Jyoti College Bangalore on 23 and 24 September for the staff and students of the
philosophy and theology departments of the college and for the students and
staff of Viswadeep Institute for advanced theological and catechetical studies.
There were about 300 participants.
This seminar also was facilitated by Jose
Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre. Parappully is the primary editor of the
best selling two volume book bearing the same title as that of the seminar.
Participants expressed great satisfaction
about the way the topic was dealt with and found it very useful.
“An extremely useful seminar,” observed one participant summing up the sentiments of others as well. “The topic was handled in a very commendable way.”
“An extremely useful seminar,” observed one participant summing up the sentiments of others as well. “The topic was handled in a very commendable way.”
