RETREAT FOR THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Fr. Jose Parappully, director of Sumedha Centre was invited to facilitate the Spiritual Retreat of the Superiors of the Daughters of Marcy Help Christians (Salesian sisters) of the Province of Kolkata.

This retreat was held from March 5 to 11 at the Auxilium Centre at Kurseong, Darjeeling. Twenty eights sisters, including the Provincial and members of her Council participated.

Fr. Parappully organized the retreat around the theme “Retreat as a Lenten Desert Journey.” Participants had ample time to pray with the Word of God on the themes explored each day.

Participants expressed great satisfaction with the way the retreat was conducted. A general sentiment expressed was, “This retreat was very different from ones we are used to. It really helped to go deep into ourselves and also experience God deeply.”   

     

Sumedha Outreach –Thailand 2018. 4. Bangkok SPIRITUAL RE-AWAKENING IN THE POST-MIDLIFE YEARS

The fourth invited programme Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha, conducted in Thailand this year was also at Bangkok.

This programme entitled “Spiritual Re-Awakening in the Post Midlife years” was for the Infant Jesus Sisters. Thirty two Sisters including the Provincial Superior, Sr. Jane, participated. Most of these sisters were over 60 years. It was held on 17 and 18^th February.

The first day’s programme was held at the Provincialate of the St. Gabriel Brothers. Dr. Parappully explored with the sisters the psycho-spiritual dynamics of the post midlife years and proposed a spirituality that respects the dynamics of these years.

This included a Spirituality of Diminishment, Spirituality of Slowing Down, Contemplative Spirituality, Spirituality of Gratitude and a Spirituality of Mentoring.

The second day’s programme was held at the Provincial House of the Infant Jesus Sisters in Bangkok. On this second day Dr. Parappully explored with the sisters how Lent can be a time for spiritual Re-Awakening, by entering the metaphoric desert with Jesus to experience “Wilderness” and “Paradise” – to encounter one’s on “Inner Demons” and intimacy with God around the Word of God.

Two spiritual practices recommended for this spiritual re-awakening were Centering Prayer and the Lectio Divina. Both the practices were explained to the sisters and they had time to practice them.