Another 2 workshop-seminars with Earnest

Earnest L. Tan from the Philippines, designs and conducts workshop-seminars geared towards personal growth and wellness. He writes books and produces materials that are innovative and inspirational in nature. He is a regular lecturer and resource person for the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Asian Social Institute, the Medical Education Unit of the University of the Philippines and Philippine General Hospital, and Miriam Graduate School.

Earnest brings his vast experience of training in the areas of Human Intimacy & Sexuality, The Process of Value Development, Effective Coping & Communication Skills, Effective Parenting, Relationship Enhancement and Empowerment. He has shared his expertise around the Philippines and in other countries such as Australia, Brunei, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Malaysia.

In recent years, he has been coming to Malaysia to conduct various seminars related to personal growth and wellness, enhancing relationships, understanding emotions and self awareness empowering self and others.

What some past participants said about previous Growth and Wellness seminars facilitated by Earnest:

• Impressed by his gentle style, authenticity, openness, transparency. His personal stories gave credibility to what he communicated, with such spirit, humanity and conviction.
• The experience was life transforming!
  
• It has given me a road map to work on my own issues. Earnest's honest sharing of his personal stories was so inspiring and gave me much hope. Didn’t realise how my childhood impacted me so much. With the tools given, I can free myself from that which chokes me from growing.
• Understanding my family roots led to the discovery of my inner self. This enabled me to name the paralysis that prevents me from growing.
• The workshop opened my eyes to many deep issues within me and provided tools to help me. Helped me to understand myself better in a non-threatening and hopeful manner.
• It came at the right time in my life, allowing me to understand myself, my emotions and responses better. I came away believing that psychological development and enhancement is key to spiritual growth.
• The whole workshop... helped me understand that I was sabotaging my own life because of what I held onto.
• Learnt the tools for identifying and addressing my emotions, processing self and inner wellness... learning to be more reflective.
  

I. GROWTH and WELLNESS - The Journey Inward

About the Programme
The programme is a journey inward to understand one's personal dynamics and to facilitate the movement towards integration and wholeness. Workshop topics include:
• requisites for personal growth and change
• getting in touch with my personhood
• my family: the roots and wings of my personhood
• my paralysis in life
• my value system
• values discernment
The programme will end with helping you chart your personal consciousness track where you will have clarity as to where you are at present in your growth process, where you can move towards and how to move from here to there.

Who should attend
Persons interested in personal growth, self-improvement, ways of freeing the self.

Where
Bayu Beach Resort Pork Dickson
7km Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson
(Tel: 06-6473703)

When
Friday, August 5 - arrive at 9.30am for registration & refreshments
to Sunday, August 7 - depart at 4.00pm

How much
RM300.00 for board and lodging (on a twin sharing basis). Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the workshop to help defray other costs.

LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.


II. COMPASSION FATIGUE (A Workshop for Caregivers)

About the Programme
The very nature of a caregiver's involvement can be demanding. As such, they are the primary candidates for compassion fatigue. This is a result of caring over time, sometimes without support or respite, and can lead to severe exhaustion and even spiritual vacuum.
This program will help you assess and become aware of compassion fatigue. This is in order for us to anticipate it before its effects hit us. It also explores the factors that often lead to compassion fatigue, whether it is coming from personal or organizational factors. It will teach a way to name the stresses that are experienced. It will also discuss some of the common issues related to caring.

When Tuesday, 2 August, 2011.
8.30 am: Registration and light refreshments
9.00 am – 4.00 pm: Workshop
4.00 pm: Afternoon tea and departure

Where
La Salle Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek, Petaling Jaya

How much
Contribution of RM60.00 towards the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.

Who should attend
Persons engaged in the care of others, family members with a sick and/or elderly person at home, coordinators of the Sick and Elderly in the BECs and other interested persons.

LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!

How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to Bernie at chowbernie@yahoo.com.

Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Closing Date: 25 July 2011

Power of Silence

(In that Silence, God will listen to us; there God will speak to our soul, and there we will hear God’s voice. -- Mother Theresa)

About the Programme

The process includes input as well as exercises to help you get in touch with yourself at a deeper level and to perceive the dynamics of your psyche and thus to experience the power of the Spirit in the inner sacred space.

The quality that everyone of us needs most urgently is silence. We simply must learn how to be silent and how to remain in silence. Once you enter that silence, once you open your heart to that unpredictable and incomparable experience, you will find that each of us can be the person we are called to be if we allow that silence to develop in our hearts. Make no mistake about it, the silence that each of us is summoned to enter is the eternal silence of God. This is the silence each of us can find in our own hearts. Discovering it will lead you to understand that silence is itself the medium of perfect communication. It is in silence that we communicate at depth and with the truth of wholeness. – John Main (Benedictine monk)

About the Facilitator

Fr Sebastian Painadath, a Jesuit priest, is head of the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, South India. He is an internationally renowned Asian theologian who frequently lectures in Europe and Asia. He has facilitated in workshops organised by the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs-Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (OEIA-FABC) and the Johor-Melaka diocese. He combines the best of the Asian mystical traditions with Western philosophical traditions in his presentations.

What some past participants have to say:

• A balance of meditation & teaching (with discussion).• Well spaced out programme – not taxing.
• Feel refreshed, peaceful, rejuvenated…
• This retreat has given me new insights into spirituality.
• It has been a God-experience for me.
• A wonderful facilitator…. very authentic & sincere.
• He is a man of grace….

When
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
8.30 am: Registration & light refreshments
9.00 am – 3.30 pm: Workshop
3.30 pm: Afternoon tea & departure

Where
Luther House (next to Tun Hussein Eye Hospital)
6 Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya

How much
A contribution of RM60.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the day to help defray other costs.

How to pay
Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

Who should attend
This meditation workshop is an introduction for Christians who wish to start on a spiritual journey but do not know how. For others already familiar with meditation, this workshop will also be a refreshing experience.

What to bring
Bring your Bible and a cushion if you wish to sit on the floor during the meditation.

Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Closing Date: 12 July 2011

LIMITED TO 25 PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!

Another 2 interesting workshop-seminars coming up

I. Growth and Wellness

About the Programme

The program provides an overview of the holistic approach to wellness. Participants will learn about the seven dimensions of wellness, the nature of stress and the ways by which stresses could be managed. An initial assessment on burn out will be conducted. This will be followed with practical skills in conducting a skills inventory, managing emotions, and identifying the attitudinal sources of stress and burnout.

What some past participants have to say

• There is a sense of freedom, of being liberated from fears that shackled me in the past and blocked intimacy with friends and family.
• The workshop opened my eyes to many deep issues within me and provided tools to help me. Helped me to understand myself better in a non-threatening and hopeful manner.
  
• It has given me a road map to work on my own issues. Earnest's honest sharing of his own stories was so inspiring and gave me much hope. Didn’t realise how my childhood impacted me so much. With the tools given, I can free myself from that which chokes me from growing.
• It came at the right time in my life, allowing me to understand myself, my emotions and responses better. I came away believing that psychological development and enhancement is key to spiritual growth.
• Understanding my family roots led to the discovery of my inner self. This enabled me to name the paralysis that prevents me from growing.
• That I am an imperfect human being and that I should not beat myself up when I make mistakes in life. It is important to forgive myself in order to move on!

Who Should Attend

Persons who are interested in understanding and growing the Self to be who they really are.

When

5 – 7 November, 2010
Friday to Sunday (3 full days)
10.00am – 4.00pm daily
(light refreshments begins at 9.30am)

Where

La Salle University Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek
46000 Petaling Jaya

How much

Contribution of RM180.00 towards the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection on the last day to help defray other costs.

Closing Date: 28 October 2010

LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!

II. The Psychology of Power and Empowerment

About the Programme

This programme will help participants reflect on their source of power and ways by which they can empower themselves and others.

Topics include:

• Overview of power and sources of power
• Empowering others
• The power of self-worth: the nibble theory and kernel of power
• The power of vision and mission: making a personal mission statement
• The power of leading with honour: utilising principle-centered power of leadership.

What some past participants have to say:

• Earnest is 'down to earth’. I am empowered by his sessions as I have learned new tools and skills for self-development and relationship with others.
• I was guided to discover my true self and understanding how my roots had influenced me was empowering. I feel enlightened and optimistic about the future!
• Gained insights on the roots of my behavioural patterns and have now learn the tools to change. Very life-giving indeed!
• The workshop has taught me to be myself and to accept and love myself as who I really am. An important lesson is to "let go" and to give space and respect the individuality of others in order to empower self and others.
• It has awakened in me the knowledge of self – what makes me tick; it taught me how to better relate better in relationships and to acknowledge and respect differences.
• The workshop helped me to develop my thinking and to understand the roots of my frustrations. I was led to affirmation & reconciliation of self – I discovered a suppressed playful and creative child within me wishing to surface!

Who should attend

Persons who wish to reflect on their source of power and incorporate the values and principles of integrity and honour in the manner in which they exercise their power in the family, work environment, community and society at large.

When

3 – 4 November, 2010
Wednesday to Thursday (2 full days)
10.00am – 4.00pm daily
(Light refreshments begins at 9.30am)

Where

La Salle University Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek
46000 Petaling Jaya

How much

Contribution of RM120.00 towards the cost of venue, meals & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection on the last day to help defray other costs.

Closing Date: 28 October 2010

About The Programme Leader

Earnest L. Tan (http://earnestltan-spiritus.tripod.com/), from the Philippines, designs and conducts workshop-seminars geared towards personal growth and wellness. He is a regular lecturer and resource person for the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Asian Social Institute, the Medical Education Unit of the University of the Philippines and Philippine General Hospital, and Miriam Graduate School.

Earnest brings his vast experience of training in the areas of Human Intimacy & Sexuality, The Process of Value Development, Effective Coping & Communication Skills, Effective Parenting, Relationship Enhancement and Empowerment. He has shared his expertise around the Philippines and in other countries such as Australia, Brunei, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Malaysia.

How to pay

Payment is by cash or cheque made payable to Chow Mei Mei, which can be banked into CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525. Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

Who to ask

Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Lay Holiness and Ministry

Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us

The laity had, for a long time, been relegated to an inferior and passive position in the life and mission of the Church. The 2nd Vatican Council rediscovered and retrieved the dignity and responsibility of the laity as co-equal in the Church and co-responsible for the Church with the clergy and the religious by virtue of their baptism in Christ.

This one-day workshop will deal with 3 inter-related elements of the theme. It will
1. analyze the actual shift in Vatican II;
2. spell out the implications of the changes; and
3. inquire into Church realities that seem to hinder the shift to actually take place in parishes and dioceses.


Facilitator

José M. de Mesa, a lay theologian, is recognized as one of the most important theologians of the world today by the Missionwissenschaftliches Missio in Aachen, Germany. He is presently a University Fellow at De La Salle University, Manila and a Professor of Applied Theology at the Inter-Congregational Theological Centre in the Philippines. He also teaches regularly in Theological Union in Chicago and East Asia Pastoral Institute and is a published author.

When

Saturday, 7 August 2010 (9.00 am – 4.00 pm)

Where

La Salle Hall, Jalan 5/15B
Off Jalan Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya

How much

Fee is RM40 inclusive of light refreshments and lunch

Who to ask

Bernie (012-2637912) or Angeline (03-7955 0845)
chowbernie at yahoo dot com

By What Authority?

Authority is a relational concept. Questions about authority in the Church are really inquiries regarding the true author or source of its life and mission to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Just as God was the true author of Jesus’ life, grounded as it was in his relationship to the Father, so also the Church finds its “authority” in Jesus Christ.

Rather than a possession, authority names the quality of relationship and is maintained in the character of the relationship. Where one might speak of the Bible, the creed or a pope as possessing authority, this authority in fact resides in the relationship between the community of faith and the Bible, the creed or the bishop/pope. Thus, terms like “authoritative” and “authoritarian” hint at different kinds of relationship.

Our workshop will deal with questions of authority regarding the Bible (how does the community relate with the Bible as normative), the Church’s teaching office (what does it mean to teach and be taught in a mutual manner) and the sense of the faithful (how do members of the Church discern together the enlightenment the Spirit gifts the community with, even when conflicting views arise).

Each session will consist of three segments:
1. an introductory input to map out the main points of a specific topic on authority;
2. guided small group discussions; and
3. a topical summary incorporating and elaborating insights from the input and the discussions.

Facilitator

José M. de Mesa, a lay theologian, is recognized as one of the most important theologians of the world today by the Missionwissenschaftliches Missio in Aachen, Germany. He is presently a University Fellow at De La Salle University, Manila and a Professor of Applied Theology at the Inter-Congregational Theological Centre in the Philippines. He also teaches regularly in Theological Union in Chicago and East Asia Pastoral Institute and is a published author.

When

Thursday, 29 July 2010 (7.30 pm – 10.00 pm)
Friday, 30 July 2010 (7.30 pm – 10.00 pm)
Saturday, 31 July 2010 (10.00 am – 4.00 pm)

Where

La Salle Hall, Jalan 5/15B
Off Jalan Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya

How much

Fee is RM60 inclusive of refreshments & light lunch on Saturday

Who to ask

Bernie (012-2637912) or Angeline (03-7955 0845)
chowbernie at yahoo dot com

Courses organised/co-organised/co-sponsored

2010
(May 8)
Workshop on Integration of Faith and Life: Growing in Spirituality in Petaling Jaya by John D’Cruz.

2009
(June 7–9)
Live-in workshop-seminar on Naming Jesus, Naming our Lives in Port Dickson presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

(3 June)
One-day session on Basic Theology for Prayer Companions in Ignatian Spirituality presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

(May 28–30)
Workshop Seminar on Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us: Lay Holiness and Ministry in Kelang presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

2008
(May 11)
Formation on Vocation of Marriage and Family Life in Melaka presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

(May 10)
Formation on Vocation of Marriage and Family Life in Johor presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

(May 8; May 12)
Two talks: a) Making Jesus Real in the BEC b) Lay Spirituality in a Multicultural Society in KL presented by Jose M. de Mesa.

(May 4–6)
A live-in workshop-seminar on Doing Theology: Basic Realities and Processes in Port Dickson presented Dr Jose M. de Mesa.

2007
(April 27 – May 1)
A live-in Growth and Wellness Workshop-Seminar for leaders in Port Dickson presented Ernest Tan of EAPI, Manila

2005
(August 12–14)
A live-in formation programme on The Mission of the Church in Asia in Melaka presented by Lazar Stanislaus, SVD, Director of Ishvani Kendra, Pune, India.

(July 24–27)
A live-in inter-faith meditation seminar on the Bhagavad Gita at Maranatha, Janda Baik presented by Sebastian Painadath sj, of Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, India.

(June 22–24)
A live-in Workshop on Feminist Theology in KL presented by Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza.

2004
(August 27–29)
A workshop Journeying Together in Dialogue in PJ presented by Sebastian Painadath sj, of Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, India.

(August 8–10)
A three-day series of talks on Problems and Prospects of Mission Today in KL presented by L. Stanislaus, SVD, Director of Ishvani Kendra in Pune, India.

Participants sponsored for courses

Certificate course in Civil Society Initiatives in Peacebuilding
2009
(January 2009) Rwanda - 1 participant

Discernment Workshop for the Chinese-speaking Ministry Leaders
2007
(October 3-9) Presented by Paul Goh, sj from Singapore - 3 participants

Inter- faith Spiritual fellowship, Pure Life Society (INSaF)
2007
(August 2007) Meditation Seminar on the Bhagavad Gita (Part 2) presented by Sebastian Painadath, sj at Janda Baik, Malaysia - 2 participants

Inter- faith Spiritual fellowship, Pure Life Society (INSaF)
2006
(August 17–21) Meditation Seminar on the Bhagavad Gita presented by Sebastian Painadath, sj at Janda Baik, Malaysia - 2 participants

East Asian Pastoral Institute, Quezon City, Philippines
2006
(January 5 – April 5) Pastoral Leadership in a Post-Vatican 11 Church - 1 participant

Tainan Theological College and Seminary, Taiwan
2005-06
(September 19, 2005 - June 14, 2006) Master of Theology - 1 participant

Inter- faith Spiritual fellowship, Pure Life Society (INSaF)
2005
(July 24–28) Meditation Seminar on the Bhagavad Gita presented by Sebastian Painadath, sj at Janda Baik, Malaysia - 3 participants

Asian Women’s Resource Centre for Culture and Theology workshops
2004
(August 12–15) Tools of Social Analysis – the Dance of Transformation presented by Lieve Troch at Janda Baik, Kuala Lumpur - 3 participants

Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences- Office of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs (FABC-OEIA)
2004
(May 23–30) Fifth Formation Institute for Inter-Religious Affairs (FIRA 5) – Inter-religious Dialogue in Religious Education at Bangkok - 6 participants

East Asian Pastoral Institute, Quezon City, Philippines
2004
(January 6 – April 9) Effective Steward Leadership in a Servant Church - 1 participant

East Asian Pastoral Institute, Quezon City, Philippines
2003
(January 6- April 9) Steward Leadership in a Church for Peace and Justice - 1 participant

Ecclesia of Women in Asia
2002
(November 24-29) EWA 1 –Gathering of the Voices of the Silenced at Bangkok, Thailand - 1 participant

Ishvani Kendra, Institute of Missiology and Communications, Pune, India
2002
(October 6-19) Empowering Women in the New Millennium - 3 participants
(November 24-04 December) Inter-faith Dialogue - 3 participants

East Asian Pastoral Institute, Quezon City, Philippines
2002
(January 7- March 27) Steward Leadership in a Church for the Poor - 1 participant