Spiritual Year Seminarians of Good Shepherd Seminary happy with Right Relationships in Ministry Workshop

Fatima, Banz: Spiritual Year Seminarians of Good Shepherd Seminary, Fatima, in Banz were participants of a weeklong Workshop on Right Relationships in Ministry facilitated by the Catholic Bishops Conference Right Relationships in Ministry Directress Sr Ancy John SCSA from March 24 – 28, 2025.

Spiritual Year Seminarians with their certificates after the closing program.

The first topic covered was on boundaries and helped the participants to understand and differentiate the different boundaries a person can have:

• Material boundaries: lending and taking care of our personal belongings, as well as our time and services.

• Physical boundaries: refer to the physical space around our bodies. They speak to how bodies are protected from immoral activities and form the basis for healthy sexual boundaries.

• Emotional boundaries: dealing positively with our emotions is a common issue we have found among ourselves and many others. By discussing this, it helps us make responsible choices and be aware of the decisions we make.

Sr Ancy stressed on the importance of effectively establishing healthy boundaries in our relationships with others.

“The purpose of boundaries is not to shut people out of our lives, but to enhance our relationships and interactions in a healthy way. By understanding and enforcing our boundaries, we not only improve our relationships but also enhance the quality of our lifestyle. This ensures that we do not intrude on another person's space, but instead fosters a better understanding and respect for one another. The reasons why we need to maintain our boundaries are because it develops our relationships and self-esteem. It also helps us to safeguard our reputation and integrity”, she said.

The second topic covered was centered around Relationships, especially the different levels of relationships we have with others, with ourselves and with God. Participants were encouraged to follow the unique and perfect relationship of the Triune God, the Blessed Trinity, the source of all relationships.  

Sr Ancy encouraged the participants to understand the other aspects of relationships that can be healthy and unhealthy, the significance of mending the broken relationships.

“We need a healthy relationship with ourselves and we must accept what we are and who we are. We do not have to overplay the good nor do we overstress our weakness. The key is to accept both the negative and positive and move forward with a positive mind”

The last topic covered in the workshop, Sr Ancy took the participants through Human Sexuality that had participants actively take part in discussions and sharing to understand what Human Sexuality embodies and the fundamental aspect of our identity as persons. Sexuality is an inherent and precious gift God has given us, human beings and we are to live it up to the fullest.

“The society expects a certain behavior from us, seminarians, and the way we live according to the way we are expected to be. Whatever state of life we choose, it requires prudence in order to live our life happily”, Sr Ancy explained. The secret of all Human Happiness is healthy and happy relationships.

The participants gave a lot of positive feedback on the workshop and how it helped them to set boundaries and maintain healthy relationships and to understand that human sexuality is part of a human person.

The participants also acknowledged Sr Ancy’s guidance in facilitating the sessions that enabled them to better understand their identities and appreciate themselves as integral human beings.