SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT BAREILLY

Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited to facilitate a workshop on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” for the priests of the diocese of  Bareilly, UP,  on 11^th December.

Almost all the priests of the diocese and the bishop, a total of about 70, participated. Parappully introduced the workshop observing that reflection and research on failure of catholic priests in recent years in regard to living their celibate commitment faithfully had concluded that the Catholic church had done a very poor job in preparing its priests to live a life of chaste celibacy.

The Salesians of Don Bosco have tried to address this lacuna by publishing a two volume book “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: A Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” (which got sold out in 10 months!) of which Parappully is the primary editor. He would present a section of that book at the workshop.

Parappully focused on “Sexual Boundary Violations” and presented data on Dual Relationships, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse - both Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Abuse and their implications.

At the end of the Workshop, Fr. Royal Anthony, who spoke on behalf of the participants said that the workshop had come at a very opportune time, had helped them to reflect on these very important issues and realize the need to address the issues in helpful ways. The workshop, he said, had been facilitated in an excellent way.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT DON BOSCO UNIVERSITY AND MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Director of Sumedha Centre, Dr. Jose Parappully, was invited to conduct two workshops recently, one at Assam Don Bosco University and the other at Don Bosco Management Institute, both at Guwahati.

Both workshops were on “Personal Growth.”  The one at Don Bosco University (November 27-29) was for students of the Counselling programme and of Educational Management programme. It focused on “Growing Toward Emotional and Interpersonal Maturity.”

The one at the Don Bosco Management Institute (December 2-3) was for the second year MBA students. It focused on “Emotional and Interpersonal Management.”

Both workshops had the following topics with some variations: Self-Awareness, Emotional Maturity, Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships, Assertive Communication and Behaviour and Conflict Resolution.

A four-fold process of Input, Introspection, Interaction and Interiorization was followed to explore these topics and use the insights gained to grow in personal and interpersonal maturity.

Both groups found the workshop immensely useful for their present and future.

The following comments represent typical reaction from the participants:

“This workshop has helped me to think of aspects of my life that I never thought of before. I have learned to see myself in a new light and have started appreciating myself a lot more. I have developed a stronger self-image and a wider perspective on life in general. I really feel there was a lot of change in me and my outlook towards life”