Second Claretian Discerning Leadership Workshop held in Dindigul.
LIFE, Dindigul – The Claretian Discerning Leadership Workshop, organized by the Province of Chennai for the ASCLA-WEST, took place from October 2 to October 8, 2024. This marked the second edition of the leadership event aimed at fostering discernment and leadership qualities among Claretians across India.
Participants from Across Regions:-
The event saw enthusiastic participation from various parts of the ASCLA-WEST Conference. Three members from the Kolkata Independent Delegation, one from the St. Thomas Province, and 28 members from the Province of Chennai attended, making it a well-represented gathering of Claretian leaders and future leaders.
Engaging Sessions on Leadership Dynamics:-
The workshop began with a Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jesu Doss CMF and Rev. Fr. Devadoss CMF, the Provincial Vicar, delivered a thought-provoking sermon on the leadership qualities of Jesus, emphasizing their relevance in today’s world. The Provincial Superior of the Province of Chennai inaugurated the sessions with an address focusing on leadership in the Claretian tradition.
Throughout the workshop, a series of dynamic sessions were held, each led by distinguished Claretian priests. These sessions covered various aspects of leadership, including:
Day – 1 & 2:- The Claretian Frame of Reference for Discerning Leadership by Fr. Jesu Doss CMF
Day – 3:- Personality Dynamics and Team Roles by Fr. John Paul CMF
Day – 4 & 5:- Triple Transformation and Role Conflicts in Leadership, Compassionate and Generative Conversation by Fr. L. Antony CMF
Day – 6:- 7+1 Elements in Leadership and SOS Management by Fr. Michael Plamparampil CMF
Day – 7:- Leadership in the style of Jesus and Mary by Fr. Jerone CMF
The sessions were interactive, involving activities and exercises that helped the participants explore and apply leadership principles in real-life scenarios.
Visits to Significant Claretian Sites:-
On the second day, the participants embarked on a pilgrimage to important Claretian locations in Madurai. This included St. John’s Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Kochadai, St. Antony Mary Claret Church in Karumathur, Claretian Mercy Home in Azhagusirai, and Claret Bhavan in Karumathur. A significant highlight was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the tomb of Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier Dirnberger, the pioneering Claretian who established the Claretians in India and Sri Lanka. This moment connected the participants deeply with their missionary roots and the legacy of their founders. On the fifth day, the participants visited two neighboring Claretian parishes: St. Joseph’s Church in Irendellaiparai and Our Lady of Good Health Church in Muthamizh Nagar. These visits allowed the participants to engage with the local communities and witness Claretian leadership in action at the parish level.
Enthusiasm and Collaboration:-
The workshop concluded on a high note, with the keynote address of Fr. Michael Francis the prefect of Apostlate. There was also reflection on the lessons learned and gathering insights for future application, with a recapitulation. The participants expressing joy and satisfaction, where the combination of spiritual, intellectual, and practical leadership training experienced. Finally the vote of thanks expressed the major superiors and their consulters, the resource persons, the Co-0rdinators, the participants and the local community by Fr. Selvakumar CMF.
Reported by
Fr. A. Kulandai Yesu Rajan CMF
