PROTECTION OF MINORS AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - Workshop at Bengaluru

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to facilitate a Workshop on “Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse” at Nirjhari Conference and Study Centre at Carmelaram on the outskirts of Bengaluru City.

The participants of the workshop were 12 members of the Institute of Formators who are involved in counselling and psychotherapy.

The workshop was held on the 28 and 29 December.

Dr. Parappully dealt with the following topics: Understanding and Respecting Boundaries, Sexual Boundary Violations, Dual relationship, Effects of Sexual Abuse and Healing from the Effects of Sexual Abuse.

In their observations on the workshop, all the participants said they found all the topics covered immensely useful. A few comments:

“A very comprehensive and effective exploration of a very complex topic.”

“Immensely useful.”

A wonderful workshop.”

“Created awareness and a sense of responsibility.”

Christmass Offerings from Sumedha Centre

Christmas message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7B1SZyw_HA

Christmas Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSINOjMagd0

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT AGRA

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to facilitate two workshops on “Formative Accompaniment and Emotional Maturation” at Agra. 

These were organized by Most Rev. Albert D’Souza, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Agra Region, consisting of 12 dioceses and President of the Regional Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Both Workshops were held at the Archbishops’ House, Agra. The first, on 9 and 10^th December 2019 was for 27 Rectors of Minor Seminaries and women Formators. (Formators are those engaged in the training of future priests and religious men and women.)

The second from 10^th to 18^th December was for the staff of St. Joseph’s Regional Theologate, Allahabad, Masih Vidyapeeth and Orientation Centre at Agra.

Dr. Parappully explored with the participants what formative accompaniment meant and required, characteristics of emotionally healthy persons, tools for assessment, some issues in psychosexual development and characteristic of the spirituality of a diocesan priest.

Participants found the workshop very useful. Following are some common comments:

It was a wonderful and enriching workshop. It was an occasion for soul-searching. It helped to look 

into oneself, to introspect and analyze oneself.

It touched my life and was holistic, interactive and very practical. All the topics were very relevant. It helped to clarify many things/issues.

The process followed was very helpful.

It was a workshop which integrated science and faith. Very few psychologists do that. The workshop was quite unique in this sense.

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 AUGUST 2019

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre facilitated a number of workshops during the month of August.

The first was a workshop on Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey for the Salesian Sisters of Kolkata at their Provincial House in Dum Dum. It was held from August 9 to 12. There were 33 sites attending the programme.

The second was a Two-Day recollection in preparation for the Provincial Chapter of the Holy Cross Sisters at their newly renovated Provincial House at Raipur on 17^th and 18^th August.

The third was a workshop on Midlife Dynamics and he Spiritual Journey for the Capuchins of the three provinces of Kerala organized by the Kottayam province at Assisi Retreat Centre at Bharangnanam, Kerala. Twenty three Capuchin Fathers including the provincial of the Trissur province attended.

The fourth was a Training for Leadership for the community and school heads of the Southern and Northern provinces of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was held at the Navinta Retreat Centre at New Delhi from 24^th to 26^th August. There were 19 participants.

The last was a workshop on “Aging Gracefully” for the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen. It was held at their Provincial House in Bilaspur from 30^th August to 1^st September. There were 23 sisters present including the Provincial.

MIDLIFE DYNAMICS AND THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AT NRC, NEW DELHI

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to facilitate a Workshop on “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” at the Jesuit run Navjivan Renewal Centre on the Campus of the St. Xavier’s School Rajnivas Marg, Delhi from 10^th to 15 June, 2019.

There were nine participants – 8 religious sisters from 6 different Congregation and one layman.

Dr. Parappully explored Awakening to Midlife, Midlife Journeys, Midlife Dynamics especially assessment of life and its priorities, dreams, (re-) awakening of sexuality and intimacy needs, de-illusioning and some transformative processes and spirituality for the post-midlife years.

Participants were very appreciative of the Workshop, finding it very useful to understand themselves and their experiences.

“A wonderful workshop…. I was able to understand the confusing experiences I was having and wondering what was happening to me. I understand the changes in me and their causes. Many of my doubts are clarified. Now I am at peace.” This was the common observation made in different participants in different words.

Participants also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere at the workshop and the methodology followed – input, time to read through relevant sections of the informative article provided, introspection, sharing in micro and macro groups, use songs and videos.

“I wish I had attended this workshop 10-15 years earlier.” This too was a common observation by participants.

TEAM BUILDING AT GOOD SHEPHERD SEMINARY, COIMBATORE

Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre was invited to facilitate a Team Building workshop at Good Shepherd College (Inter-diocesan Seminary) at Coimbatore on 4-5 June, 2019. All the staff members (14 of them) participated.

Good Shepherd College is located in a very pastoral setting some 20 km from the heart of the city on the Coimbatore – Pollachi Road. It was begun in 1984. There are some 70 students of philosophy and theology from 9 different dioceses. The staff also hail from different dioceses.

Through research-based data and theory from Organizational Psychology and experiential exercises Dr. Parappully presented the essentials of a coherent and effective team.

Through Assessment tools he helped the participants to evaluate the strengths weakness of the staff as a team and helped them discover pathways to greater cohesion and effectiveness.

All participants found the workshop very helpful. It provided them an opportunity to share freely and openly about issues that affected team performance. The two days’ processes had helped them understand one another better and become a more cohesive tam. A foundation had been laid for better team performance on which they could build further.

Participants were especially appreciative of the experiential and participatory methods used. This was quite unlike the workshops and seminars they were used to.