Sunday 27 January 2013

Human rights workshop

Photos of the Human rights workshop facilitated by James are attached.



for Feb Samachar

GESTALT at Pasayadaan

The Gestalt course held for the first time in Vasai at Pasayadaan from 2-10 January, 2013 was a tremendous success. The 70 participants, the majority of whom were of other faiths, included professional trainers and social entrepreneurs from Kerala and Tamilnadu in the south to Nepal and Shillong  in the north. While Dick McHugh  was a major attraction and his astute facilitation skills combine therapy with humor, sound and dance, much of the credit goes primarily to the  initiative, the creativity, compassion and courage of our lay collaborators. The Jesuits were quite content to play a more supportive role. InterPlay playshops after the session on some days helped participants to integrate the wisdom in their body besides giving them an opportunity to loosen up and let go.  Several participants mentioned that the quality of the workshop, the facilities, meals and hospitality were truly excellent – far beyond their expectations. They were struck by the professionalism with a human touch which made them feel so much at home and appreciated the massive effort put in to create the appropriate environment enabling easy entry into deeper realms of the spirit.
The holistic approach of Gestalt and its focus on the ‘here and now’ fits  well into the broader vision of Pasayadaan. Quite a few participants showed a keen interest in networking  with Pasayadaan for more effective mission.

Jan 2013 Samachar



(For January 2013 Samachar)
PASAYADAAN HIGHLIGHTS
1.       Mr. George Dabre organized and facilitated a unique workshop on “Embodying the Spirit” for 35 Confirmation students of St. Francis Xavier Church, Giriz on 26-27 November. Relevant issues for youth like sacredness of the body, integration of body, mind and spirit were skillfully handled. He was assisted by James and Prashant. 
2.       On 27th November about 15 differently-abled fisher folk from Arnala thoroughly enjoyed “Beauty in Disability” which was co-facilitated by Mrs. Hazel Lobo and Prashant. They were deeply touched by the insight that disability rather than being a handicap can be transformed into a blessing. This programme was held in collaboration with the St. Vincent de Paul members who appreciated the new direction towards holistic empowerment in serving the marginalized.     
3.       On 8 December the manager and 30 teachers of St. Stanislaus International School, Nalla Sopara were enlightened and enlivened by “Embodied Education for our Times” co-facilitated by Hazel and Prashant.
4.       From 11-13 Dec. the Peace Pilgrimage preparatory team visited Bardipada, S. Gujarat. They were particularly touched by the energetic childlike tribal dances and the collaborative struggle of the Jesuits and the Vedruna sisters to preserve the wealth of tribal culture amid the onslaught of globalization.        
5.       The Ignatian study circle held on 18 December for Jesuits and lay collaborators focused on the challenges of Lay Collaboration in GC 35.     
Hazel and Prashant prepared 15 female activists from the Sodality of Velankanni Mata Church, Mardes, Vasai on 20 December for the birth of Jesus in a playful yet prayerful way. Reflections on the female body as holy in the context of the Delhi gang rape as well as scriptural inputs on the prophetic solidarity between Mary and Elizabeth stimulated a holistic view of the incarnation. 

Pasayadaan Highlights for December Samachar



PASAYADAAN HIGHLIGHTS
Quite a few recollections/sessions for lay leaders, sisters, brothers and priests in keeping with the vision were held at Pasayadaan and elsewhere from September till November 2012. A total of 542 participants participated in the 24 programmes held by the team at Pasayadan during this period.
Below are some of the highlights.
One of the unique programs was a legal education workshop from October 17-20 conducted by James Mascarenhas skillfully assisted by other resource persons and lay collaborators. About 40 lay and religious social workers from our mission areas like Shilonda, Kinowli, Udhwa, Tara, Kolad, Nevasa, Mangaon, Roha, Shirpur, Kalyan, Rajodi, Nala, and Vasai actively participated. A decision to network for the implementation of the RTE especially in rural areas is an indication of the positive energy generated. Participants went back enlightened and better equipped to empower their people most of whom live below the poverty line.
James also directed a pre-ordination retreat from Oct. 8-16 for the 11 Karnataka deacons who deepened the awareness of their prophetic call to be fires that kindle other fires.
The “Art and InterPlay” workshop co-facilitated by lay collaborators Dr. Evelet Sequeira and Mrs. Hazel Lobo for women leaders and sisters at Talasari on Nov. 1 generated a lot of enthusiasm for creative feminine forms of empowerment.
The 3 workshops led by Mrs. Hazel Lobo assisted by Prashant on “Embodied Education” on Oct. 26, 27 and Nov. 7 for 3 batches of about 35 teachers each of St. Willibrords International School, which is located amid the hustle and bustle of Nalla Sopara town and has students mostly from the lower middle class, were highly appreciated for their creativity and dynamic approach to learning.
The “Embodied Ignatian Retreat” for 19 Vedruna sisters from 15-23 Nov. directed by Prashant and assisted by Hazel Lobo developed key meditations of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and integrated insights from the latest Vedruna document “Proclaim and Defend Life.” The evocative powerpoint presentations on eco-feminism, the deep sharings on solidarity especially with abused women and children, the movement meditations, the prophetic role of Mary, the power of being voices for the voiceless, the biblical reinterpretations from the perspective of the marginalised and the creative collaboration made a profound transformative impact.

Pasaydaan Highlights in the Jan 2013 Samchar

Enabling the differently-abled

Tribal Ingenuity


Pasayadaan Highlights - AUGUST 2012


- On 5 July there was a workshop integrating the "Me-Doll" and InterPlay at Pasayadaan for the social work team of Sakhya, a Women's Guidance Cell for women in distress
  • on 13 July there was an InterPlay workshop at Advait Foundation, Vedruna convent, Waliv for rescued girls aged between 13-19 years from human trafficking. Both these workshops were skilfully facilitated by lay collaborators.
  • On 18-19 July James Mascarenhas had Training for Animators at Shirpur.
  • On 11 July Conrad Saldanha led the team of Jesuits and Lay Collaborators in finalising the Vision/Mission of Pasayadaan.  Thanks to the efforts of Jesuits and the lay collaborators the whole place is being given a fresh new look. 
Welcome to all for retreats, recollections, workshops to our center





Thursday 29 November 2012


InterPlay website – www.interplay.org

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What’s InterPlay all about?
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Prashant