Another Sumedha Sadhana (39th - Oct 1-Dec 2) and another tea outing

Fun and games are integral to the Sumedha Journey!

Participants (Sumedha Sadhana October 1 -December 2) 2018 relaxing after 4 weeks of serious inner work.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH IN NEW DELHI

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to facilitate two programmes in New Delhi.

The first was for the Community Leaders of the Congregation of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM), and the other organized by the Secretary of the Conference of Religious (CRI), Dr. Joe Mannath..

The programme for the PBVM Sisters was held at the Navjivan Renewal Centre, on the campus of St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School on Raj Nivas road, New Delhi, from 15^th to 20^th October, 2018.

There were 11 participants, including the Provincial, Sr. Miriam Attel.

The programme was titled “Transformational Leadership for Religious Community Leaders.” It began with an exploration of Religious Life and Community, the context in which the participants were called to exercise Leadership.

An understanding of Transformational Leadership – Qualities of Transformational Leaders, Practices of Transformation Leadership, and Leadership Skills -- was then presented and explored. Participants had the opportunity to assess themselves using Leadership Questionnaires and Inventories.

The film “1492 – Conquest of Paradise” which deals with Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the Americas, was used to highlight various dimensions of transformational leadership.

The programme ended with an exploration of the “Spirituality of Leadership,” presenting Moses as an inspiring Transformational Leader.

All the participants found the workshop immensely useful for them. Some Comments:

“The inputs, exercises, ratings, reflection time, times of integration and interiorization were very good for application to our lives… Your facilitation process was excellent, never felt tired.”

“It really helped me evaluate my way of functioning as a leader.”

“An excellent work/workshop conducted. Thank you.”

“Input was very enriching. Each session was a little mirror where I could see myself/my behaviour/my actions at a deeper level. In other words these 6 days were very effective.”

“It has been immensely practical.”

“Immensely useful – 10!”

The second programme was held at the CRI House, Masigarh, Sukhdev Vihar, New Delhi. Dr. Parappully facilitated two days (October 21-22) of this seven day workshop on “Formation of Formators.”

There were 23 participants from different religious congregations in charge of initial formation.

Dr. Parappully focused on “Psychological Dimensions of Formation,”  “Sexual Boundary Violations” and “Healing from the Effects of Sexual Abuse.”

All the participants of this programme too, found it very useful for them. “It provided us clear notions and goals and helped us to be better equipped to carry out our role” was a common observation.

MINI SUMEDHA SADHANA

Sumedha Centre organized a shorter version of the Sumedha Sadhana. This 4-week Mini Sumedha Sadhana was held from August 6 to September 4, 2018.

There were three modules in the programme: “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” by Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre; “Current Challenges in Religious Life” by Br. Philip Pinto, Former Superior General of the Christian Brothers; and “Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” by Dr. Johny Dominic, Asst. Director at Sumedha Centre.

There were 10 participants.

Though short, the participants found the programme immensely useful.  Seven of the 10 participants gave a 10 out of 10 on the Degree of Usefulness of this programme. Two gave a 9 and one gave an 8.

Some comments:

“My goal was fulfilled. 10 out of 10.”

“As a whole, the programme, the modules and the module facilitators were very good and had a dynamic way of teaching.”

 “The classes on various topics have touched, healed and transformed me.”

“I enjoyed my stay over here. All the basic needs were provided. I felt at home and happy.”

SEPTEMBER OUTREACH PROGRAMMES

September was a month in which Sumedha Centre did a number of Outreach programmes.

Bhopal

The first was a programme entitled “Psychosexual and Celibate Challenges for Priests at Midlife and Beyond” for the priests of the Archdiocese of Bhopal facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre. This programme was held on 6-8 September. Twenty six priests attended.

Bangalore

The second, also facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, was held at the Vidyadeep College in Bangalore on 10-13 September. This programme title “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” was attended by 38 Women Religious from five different Congregations. The programme was organized by the Conference of Religious India.

Madurai

The third was a training programme in Psychological Assessment conducted by Dr Jose Parappully for members of the Salesian Psychological Association and Conference of Catholic Psychologists. This programme was organized by the Salesian Psychological Association, South Asia at the Pallotine Institute for Lay Leadership, Research and Animation (PILLAR) at Madurai. There were 18 participants.

The feedback from participants of all three programmes was overwhelmingly positive.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH – SHIMLA

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to do a Staff Updating programme at Loreto Convent School, Tara Hall, Shimla. It was held on August 23, 2018.

Dr. Parappully dealt with the themes of Educating with the Heart.

The programme began with a simple meditation that the teachers could practice daily to reduce stress and increase well-being.

Dr. Parappully then emphasized the importance of Self-Awareness and provided some experimental exercised to become more self-aware.

This was followed by sessions on enhancing empathic listening and relating.

The workshop inputs were enhanced by video presentations, music and opportunities to share experiences and reflections in small and big groups.

The participants expressed great appreciation for both the content and the process followed.

A common sentiment expressed was that this “was a different kind of workshop. It really helped us to get in touch with ourselves, and relate to our students more as sensitive human beings.”

38th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 38^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness journey - concluded on August 2^nd. This 9-week programme had begun on June 1.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers in quest of greater healing and wholeness, so that one can live more fulfilling and satisfying ways and be more effective in their service to others. A variety of approaches and techniques are used to reach these objectives.

A major portion of the programme was devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics affecting one's spiritual journey.

Sumedha Sadhana provided theoretical input as well as opportunities for reflection on experiences and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. The serious work of introspection and working thorough of issues affecting one was enlivened by outings and picnics, weekly recreation together and celebrations. Creative liturgies integrating the day's experiences was a prominent feature of the programme.

There were five major modules in this programme: Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey (Jose Parappully PhD); Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (Johny Dominic, PhD), Cosmic Spirituality (Alba Rodrigues MA, BEd), Group Therapy (Johny Dominic and Jose Parappully), Spiritual Retreat and Integration (Jose Parappully).

The programme was much appreciated by the participants and found immensely useful. Four of the 13 participants gave a perfect 10 out of 10 on the Degree of Usefulness, and five gave a 9.

Some representative comments:

“Everything was excellent!”

“The programme is very well planned and wholesome. All the facilitators are very well versed in their fields.”

“Everything had a great impact on me.”

“It really helped me to renew myself and my religious commitment.”

“I feel I have become a better human being than before.”

“I came gloomy. Go back happy.”

“I came with confusion, loss of meaning and direction in life…I go back healed, hopeful, heart filled with love.”

“I came here caught up in much darkness. Wanted to be a different person. I had doubts if the programme would help. It did. My goals are fulfilled.”

“The classes were very, very, very good.”

 “A mountain experience. Mission accomplished.”

“I had a beautiful time at Sumedha.”

“Very conducive atmosphere and very beautiful surroundings.”

 “I experienced lot of freedom here, Could go anywhere. No restrictions.”

“Food was very good and nice. Cooks very hospitable, welcoming.”

“Beautiful scenery. Healing atmosphere.”

 “I felt this was a very welcoming community. I felt very much at home.

“I enjoyed my stay here.”

The 39^th Sumedha Sadhana begins on October 1, 2018. Registration open.

FABC CONSULTATION ON ASSISTING PRIESTS IN DISTRESS

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was one of the nine select experts invited to a “Consultation on Helping Priests Distress” organized by the Office of Clergy of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

The Consultation was held at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Bangkok on 23-25 July, 2018.

The Consultation meetings were facilitated by Most Rev. Mylo Vergara, Bishop of Pasig, Philippines and the Chairman of the FABC Office of Clergy. He was assisted by Fr. Philip Lazatin SDB, Ex. Secretary of the FABC Office of Clergy. Present and participating in the discussions was also Most Rev. Buenaventura Farmadico, Bishop of San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines and Chair of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines.

There were four experts from the Philippines, three from India and two from Thailand.

Bishop Mylo Vergara explained the rationale for the consultation: Creation of a pan-Asian organization for information sharing, liaison with church leadership and synergy-creation out of best practices in regard to assisting priests in distress.

Bishop Mylo invited the participants to introduce themselves and then to share their “Best Practices” in helping priests in distress. This led to discussion of common problems and issues and actions that need to be taken in the Asian Context.

Based on these discussions, the group came up with four proposals that will be submitted to the Central Committee of the FABC and to the Chairs of the regional Conference of Bishops.