The Annual General Body meeting (AGM) of the Salesian Psychological Association (SPA-South Asia) was held on 18^th and 19^th September 2011. The following members were present.

• Fr.Joseph Thannickal    - President
• Fr.Joseph Cherukunnel - Secretary
• Fr.Loddy Pires
• Fr.Joe Mannath
• Fr.John Tharakan
• Fr.Kuriakose Pallikunnel
• Fr.Michael Pampara
• Fr.Boni D’Souza
• Fr.Edward D’Souza
• Fr. Joseph Jayaraj
• Fr.V.T.Jose
• Fr.Thomas Kurianthanam
• Fr.Raja Donthi

The first part of AGM for 2011 was held on 18th September 2011, at Don Bosco Renewal Centre, Bannarghetta Road, Bangalore. The meeting began at 7.00 p.m. The Rector of DBRC, Fr. Lodddy Pires welcomed the members to DBRC and for the AGM. The former Secretary Fr.T.D.John led the members through a short prayer.

The President, Fr. Joseph Thannickal then shared his reflections. He summarized SPA achievements of the past and presented the tasks that are ahead for the members. In his presentation he emphasized the challenges we have to face as professionals through facing the question of a developing science, updating ourselves and making our contributions. Secondly he presented the challenges we have to face as members of the Salesian society by building credibility, becoming useful and building awareness of the developing needs.

The members shared their opinions and spent some time in discussing on the President’s reflections.

It was followed by the report of the Secretary, Fr.C.M.Joseph Cherukunnel, who also presented the accounts. One of the key points in the report was the starting of a new bank account for the SPA, in Federal Bank, at Bannerghetta, Bangalore, as DBRC Bangalore is suppose to be the permanent Secretariat of the SPA. On discussion Fr.Loddy, the Rector of DBRC, agreed to consider the possibility of keeping aside a room for the SPA Secretariat activities at DBRC. The members approved the report and the accounts.

The members then proceeded for a sumptuous supper. During the meal some of the members shared about their activities during the past year.  The meeting was brought to a close by 11.00 p.m. The members then proceeded to “Maitreya”, the centre run by Holy Cross sisters for the night stay, where the second day’s programme was to be held.

The second day’s programme started off with a concelebrated Mass, presided over by the President’ Fr. T.C. Joseph. After Mass and breakfast, the remaining members shared about their activities during the past year. A summary of member activities are given below.

• Fr. Joseph Thannickal (T.C.), the President of SPA continues his work at DBRC Bangalore, as the Programme Director. He was also involved in the book project taken up by SPA. He offers several sessions at DBRC and other centres of renewal.
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• Fr. Michael Pampara continues his work with the street children of Vijayawada. Recently he attended the AMR Therapy Training at Atma Dharsan, Patna. He also took part in Pycho-spiritual integration programme conducted at Sumedha centre, Nainital. Presently he has shifted his clinic to the Children’s village, near Vijayawada.
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• Fr.Joseph Jayaraj is appointed as the Rector of Don Bosco, Ennore. He is a member of the Provincial Council. He is involved in organising animation programmes for various groups. He does psychological assessment for pre-novices of different provinces.
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• Fr. V.T. Jose is in Don Bosco Park Circus. He gives group therapy at the week-ends and is involved in Counselling services along with Fr. Peter Lourdes.
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• Fr. Joe Mannath has laid down his office as Rector of DBRC, Bangalore. He continues to be on the Staff of DBRC and offers various programmes at DBRC and at other centres. He also spends time in writing.
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• Fr. Loddy Pires is the new Rector of DBRC and the new delegate of Formation for the South Asian Formation Commission. He offers classes at DBRC and elsewhere.
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• Fr. Boni D’Souza, stationed at Matunga, is part of the Prafulta team offering counselling services. He also takes various sessions for youth in schools and colleges.
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• Fr.Edward D’Souza, is the Administrator of the Engineering College at Kurla. He also helps out in Counselling in the college.
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• Fr. T.D.John based at Hyderabad involves himself in several social movements. He also offers basic Counselling Training, along with Human Rights, Salesian Pedagogy and personal therapy. He also sees to the placement of the trainees for practicals.
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• Fr. K.C. Thomas is in Thiruvanathapuram and is in charge of the sabbatical programme, enabling the Priests and Religious to have psycho-spiritual integration. At present the third batch is undergoing training.
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• Fr. Raja Donthi is based at Birdy, Hyderabad. He offers several workshops for Teachers, Novices, Parents, Couples and students.
• Fr.Kuriakose Pallikunnel, is the President of the Conference of Catholic Psychologists of India. He has just organised the Annual conference of the CCPI. He has moved from Palluruthy to Irinjalakuda. He is preparing models for counselling in the educational institutions and other settings in the Province. He is also a judge of the Juvenile court of Ernakulam district.
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• Fr.C.M.Joseph has secured Ph.D. from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore in December 2010. He has moved from Thiruvanathapuram to Mannuthy, Thrissur as the Principal of Don Bosco Central School. He has been just confirmed as the Secretary of the CCPI, besides being the Secretary of SPA. He offers sessions for Parents, Teachers and Students in various schools and colleges. He is also a Licensed clinical practitioner.

Soon after the members sharing of their activities, an input session “SPA as a Resource group”, by Joe Thannical and T.D.John was held. The reality of violent and dominating style of communication and its consequences in the human rights perspective and its psychological dynamics were presented by T.D. John. He also presented the seven dominating ways to compassionate ways of communication. The members shared their opinions regarding the presentation.

Joe Thannical went on to present SPA as a resource group. He first read out the statement that was prepared by Jose Parappully, which dealt with the norms of Psychological Assessment of Pre-Novices. On casual sharing it came to be known that presently P.O.Jose, Ajoy, Godfrey, Jayaraj. C.M.Joeph, Thomas Varkey and Anelfreeda do psychological testing. It was suggested that more members could undergo training in conducting psychological assessment, under the guidance of Fr. P.O. Jose.

To make SPA as a more resourceful group, it was suggested to start a publication by SPA. To begin with, we could bring out small leaflets on various topics. Eventually, these could be compiled into a book. Some of the topics suggested for the leaflets were:

• Corporal punishment

• Human Rights & Religious Living

• Corruption in Religious circles

• Positive Psychology

• Pedagogy

• Parenting

• Sexuality

• Suicide

• Media

• T.V.

• Mobile

• Internet

• Technology

• Gender

• Relationship

• Treatment of women

• Peer Mentoring

• Integration of Culture

The other suggestions that came were the following:

1. For publications, collaboration could be thought of with the South Asian Formation Commission (SAFC).
2. SPA publications could be initiated through other publishers as well. Kristu Jyoti Publications, Don Books, Chennai and Fr. Jovitta of Bangalore, are some of the possible collaborators.
3. It was also said that SPA could venture into publishing some of the Ph.D. theses or Masters level research papers of the members.
4. To start with Rs.50, 000/- could be set apart for the publications.

SPA and CCPI

It was said that SPA members should continue to be active members of the CCPI, keeping in mind that SPA members initiated the formation of the CCPI. In the organisation of the Multicity conferences, SPA could actively collaborate with the CCPI. Some of the topics for the Multicity conferences, suggested were: Child sexual abuse, Career guidance, Brief Therapy and Non-Conventional Therapies.

SPA & SAFC

Fr. Jose Kuttianimattathil, a special invitee from SAFC, presented the status of the book on Psychosexual integration and Celibate maturity – a book for young people and animators. The book would soon be published. As the cost of the publication is high, a consensus emerged among the members that we should take loans from the provinces to begin with, and then pay them back either through the books, or by cash.

Conclusion

In the general discussion, an understanding was reached among the members that T.D. John would continue to look after the SPA website. It was also suggested to update the SPA member directory. The meeting came to a close by 3.30 p.m. and the members soon dispersed to their destinations.

Fr. C. M. Joseph Cherukunnel

           (Secretary)

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