SUMEDHA OUTREACH: WORKSHOP FOR HYDERABAD SALESIANS

Dr Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, Punjab, was invited to do a Workshop on Growing Toward Psychosexual and Celibate Integration.

The works are in three batches. The first Workshop was from 6 to 8 August 2025.  There were 26 participants.

The second was held on 1-3 December 2025. There were 28 participants. The third workshop is scheduled for 3-5 February 2026.

The content of these interactive Workshops included: Requisites for Psychosexual and Celibate Integration; Sexual Re-Awakening at Midlife; Understanding Sex, Sexuality and intimacy; Problematic Sexual Behaviours (Sexual Boundary Violations, Online Pornography); Celibacy and Chastity; Friendship as a Pathway Toward rowing in Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity. The process included Input, Introspection and Interaction in micro and macro groups. The presentations were enriched with the use of Media (Music and Videos.)

Participants in both the completed Workshops were immensely satisfied with the Workshop, finding the contents extremely relevant and useful at this perio0d in their lives. Most parti9icipants were he 40’s.

First Workshop

In the first Workshop five participants gave a 10 out of 10 on usefulness of the workshop, seven gave and six gave an 8.

Some typical feedback comments from the First Workshop participants:

·         “These three days’ workshop helped me to be aware of my life and relationships and to make the necessary changes in my life.”

·         “It gave me a comprehensive idea of sexuality. Topics on Intimacy, Pornography, and the Purpose of Celibate Chastity were most useful for me.”

·         “It was a good opportunity to look back at my sexuality and the vow of chastity and come to terms with myself, my past and see the beautiful possibilities ahead that can emerge from now.”

·         “It has shaken and broadened my understanding of sex, sexuality and intimacy.”

·         “The topics on “Online Pornography” and “Celibate Friendships” were very enriching and beneficial.”

·         “The topics covered in this Workshop were all very useful and important to me. It has given me lot of knowledge about my psycho-sexual life and how to integrate it into my celibate life. The sessions and group discussions have given me lot of clarity about my boundaries.”

 

Second Workshop

Four of the participants of the second Workshop gave 10 out of 10 on Usefulness. Ten gave a 9; Nine gave an 8.

 

Some typical feedback observations:

·         “The workshop was refreshing, challenging. “

·         “I greatly appreciate the clear and thought provoking presentation.”

·         “The workshop has had a tremendous on my life.”

·         “The content was very good and informative. The process was comfortable, helpful for reflections and self-analysis.”

·         “The content on Online Pornography especially was very useful for me. The process or methodology was very useful to learn, to remember, to focus.”

·         “It gave me clarity about concepts like Intimacy, Celibacy, Chastity. It explained how one need to handle himself as a Celibate.”

·         The programme was well planned, made maximum use of available time. Most useful was Requisites and Helps for Mature Celibate Friendship.” The content offered in this 3-day workshop will be explored in greater details during the 12-Week Sumedha Sadhana Fe 07-May 01, 2026 at Sumedha Centre Jharmari. Registration is open. contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com 

 

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT LONAVALA, MAHARASHTRA

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to do a 6-day Workshop on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” for the young priests of the Salesian Province of Mumbai. These were priests within the first five years since their ordination. There were 19 of them.

The workshop was held at Don Bosco Lonavla from 22 to 28^th September.

The topics covered included Understanding Human Sexuality and Intimacy; Some Problems and Challenges; Sexual Boundary Violations and Penalties; Policies and Procedures; and Celibacy and Friendships.

The young priests found the topics covered very useful for their life and ministry. Some comments:

“The workshop will help me to be a good human being.”

“I personally like the seminar because it dealt with issues which I encounter in my everyday life.”

“It was an eye-opener programme in terms of sexual behaviour/celibate chastity/kinds of relationships etc. Certainly this programme is going to enrich my relationship with God, my community, my ministry and my friendships as I live my priestly vocation.”

“It broadened my limited understanding of sexuality.”

“I give a perfect 10 because it’s most relevant. All the topics were very applicable to today’s scenario.”

“The programme was very relevant, very practical. I would like to give 10 points out of 10.”

SUMEDHA OUTREACH IN THE PHILIPPINES

The director of Sumedha Centre was invited to conduct three workshops in the Philippines by the Salesians of the Southern Philippine Province.

These workshops were held at the Don Bosco Retreat Centre in Cebu City. It is a beautiful location set on hill top from where you can see the ocean in the distance.

The  first two one-day workshops were meant for perpetually professed religious, both men and women.

The third workshop  (two-days) was for the Heads of the Salesian institutions in the southern Philippines and for members of the Formation Commission of both the Salesian Provinces in the Philippines, North and South.

The topics covered during the workshops included: Psychosexual Integration and Human Maturity, Some Problematic Sexual Behaviours; Sexual Boundary Violations; Celibate Maturity; and Psychosexual Integration and Spirituality.

The Workshops were based on the two-volume book "Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity" published last year, of which Jose Parappully is the primacy editor.

The workshops were very much appreciated by the participants. A general observation expressed was these were "very enlightening and useful."

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.

WORKSHOPS IN BANGALORE

Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity

The Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, did two workshops in Bangalore at the beginning of the month.

The first was at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore, on Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity. The participants were Rectors of Communities and Leaders of various Provincial Commissions. There were around 45 participants for this two-day workshop on August 3 and 4.

Themes explored during the workshop included: Psychosexual Integration and Emotional Maturity, Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behaviours, Sexual Boundary Violations, Psychosexual Integration at Midlife and Beyond, and Celibate Friendship.

Participants found the workshop “very, very useful.”  They “gained very practical information and insights.”

One said this was the “most useful of the workshops I have attended.” Another who had two other workshops on the theme said “this was the best. This helped me to understand these important issues better and given me ways and means to explore them with my trainees in more effective ways.”

Basic Counselling Skills Training

The second workshop was a six day affair, from 5^th to 10^th August. This Basic Counselling Skills Training workshop was held at National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), Bangalore.

There were 43 participants from different parts of the country. Most of them were leaders of communities or involved in formation work.

Participants found the training extremely useful. There was “an excellent blend of theory and practice.” The training, the participants said, had given them “both confidence and competence” by helping them develop required attitudes and skills.