|
Institute For Sexuality Studies
|
|
| Comments From Former Participants | |
“It has been a wonderful wholesome and gentle, yet assured journey through what I imagined to be the minefield of human sexuality. It has brought me a long way on the road to integration not by bombarding me with new information but allowing me the space to access my own experience and the experience of others with respect and dignity. It has made me alive to the contemplative dimension of my life and the importance of nurturing that. I came thinking that I was coming here to learn about my sexuality but with each passing day I became deeply aware of my relationship with God. Echoing the words of Paulo Coelho in ‘The Alchemist’, it brought me to the beautiful realization to:
Be aware of the place where you are brought to tears.“My heart is full of gratitude to all who walked with me during this month-staff and participants-in this beautiful city of Chicago. I return with new understanding and appreciation of: I came that you may have life (Religious Brother and Formation Director, Ghana, West Africa June 2009) |
|
|
“It
It has been an amazing opportunity to be able to attend such a course early on in my formation. While I don’t as yet have the experience behind me as do some of the other participants, this course has allowed me to at least begin to ask the questions and dive deeper into the material in advance of my future ministerial commitments. This allows me a chance to be more aware of things with a certain amount of preparedness and ease in speaking about such a ‘taboo’ subject matter.
“Personally, this course has offered me a ‘safe excuse’ to learn more about my emotions, feelings and vulnerabilities and to take more risks in revealing them to others close around me. It has been a slow process for me to open up about things I always or usually thought I should keep privately to myself. A key word for my learning is ‘intimacy’. This is not reached unless I choose to let myself be known and to take risks of opening my fragileness in trust to another’s care. Once reached it is a beautiful place to be-a place in which to celebrate our humanness and our relationship-our interconnectedness It can be awkward and clumsy, it doesn’t come without taking a risk and we may even be hurt. But opportunities for growth are endless. “‘Incarnation’ is another word for my learning. Sexuality and spirituality are no better integrated than in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God rejoiced fully in our humanness when he came in the person of Jesus. ” (Dominican Religious sister in initial formation process June 2009) |
|
|
“T
he greatest thing that happened to me in this period is that my ignorance was discovered because the notion I had about sexuality was transformed. I have begun to develop self-trust and self-appreciation. I can now accept my genitality as one of the most beautiful gifts from God and as a very part of me. If I had knowledge of ISS earlier than now, with all the richness in it, I would not have engaged myself in some unhealthy intimate
relationships. As a leader or a guide I have learnt that I am always there to help and not to be helped; not to use my power to create tension, to those under my authority and to create a healthy atmosphere to those around me and to be a trustworthy leader.
”
(Religious sister- Nigeria June 2009) |
|
|
“It’s one of the best decisions I have made to sign up for the ISS course. I came not knowing what to expect and I’ve not been let down. I take back with me a great confidence in speaking about sexuality with reverence and respect to others. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a formator, a superior, leader, educator to do this course for their personal and professional growth and learning to recognize that sexuality is a beautiful gift from God.”
(Jesuit priest, formator Singapore June 2008) |
|
|
“This course is really wholesome. It has made me face some aspects of my life that I was reluctant to deal with. It is really a balanced course on the integration of sexuality and celibacy. It has helped me to be aware of myself and also to embrace myself. An integrated sexuality for me is light for the soul and energy for my celibate vocation—it is a life long journey. This course has given me the structure to work with other people on celibate sexuality. I feel every priest and religious should be given the opportunity to participate in this course.”
(Religious sister, Nigeria June 2008) |
|
|
“At the outset, I am profoundly thankful that I was able to attend this one-month program at the Institute for Sexuality Studies and equally grateful for my sponsor’s appreciation of the course as highly relevant in the formation of seminarians.
“The course outline is quite comprehensive, exciting, highly motivational, and integrative. This training is very much in line with the thrust of the Church’s call for continuing formation especially those who will be engaged in FORMATION. “On my part, having been given a very sensitive assignment in the formation of seminarians, this course provided me the necessary skills and competence to respond to the challenging process of psych-spiritual integration. This sexuality-spirituality integration had not been full explored in my own training and seminary curriculum, but this course through excellent mentors like Kevin, Grace, Jim, and others with their professional expertise gave me an opportunity to grasp more deeply the emerging dynamics and theories of integration for personal and professional development in human sexuality for life and ministry. This continuing training is indeed a prerequisite in effectively performing my future assignment as Director of St. Augustine House of Spirituality. “But more that the fruits of ISS in my own ministry, I am personally helped by this program in my own journey toward integration and wholeness. I would certainly recommend this course to formators and for those taking up the challenge to become formators.” (Diocesan Priest involved in formation and spiritual direction work, Philippines, October 2007) |
|
|
“Because I am used to being around people who are ashamed and uncomfortable when talking about sexuality, my determination to be true to myself and to be at home with my sexuality has cost me a lot. Talking freely about my sexuality has been frowned at and looked upon as “unholy.” The one month course at ISS has validated and affirmed me, giving me the courage to love my life as it is meant to be. ISS has given me the capacity for free and responsive expression of myself, to embrace my sexuality and experience intimacy with myself and others. Sexuality as taught at ISS has helped to release the entire range of my feelings and behaviors and there is no need to return to secrecy and ignorance. Attending ISS has opened my eyes to my own beauty, eliminated insecurity and self-doubt. It is refreshing for me to learn that sexuality can be discussed in a fun way. ISS not only put a smile on my face, it also confirmed in me what I had struggled to convince myself of—I am free when I embrace my sexuality. I leave the institute feeling good!”
(Religious Sister & Clinical Psychologist, Nigeria October 2007) |
|
|
“I chose to participate in the 4 week program at the ISS as part of my sabbatical experience. Having served my community as both Vocation Director and Novice Director, I found the material presented in this program very affirming of the many challenges I had encountered in formation ministry. The material further enhanced my understanding of the integration of sexuality and spirituality. Being able to explore these topics in a safe environment with colleagues in formation work was a real blessing. Insights gained from the experience will serve me well in whatever future ministry I find myself doing. I would strongly encourage current and future formation ministers to participate in this program.”
(Religious Priest, USA October 2007) |
|
|
“Though I had certain personal convictions about Human Sexuality, I have to confess that I have been still struggling to get it right. In fact the different theories and messages about sexuality as presented by my religious belief and culture has been confusing and misleading. “Sex is dirty and leads to sin; sex and spiritual life are incompatible.” Others say that it is a given-gift from God but we should not talk of it. The interiorization of that dualistic message has been making my sexual expression far more complicated.
“My attending the Institute for Sexuality Studies did not only affirm my personal convictions on sexuality but also offered me insight that will help me live more fully my human sexuality and share as well my learnings with those like me who yearn for a healthy and balanced sexuality, that is a beautiful integration of sexuality and spirituality. “I learned that my sexuality is a gift. God is in our sensuality. Loving God in the process of loving another human being is sheer gift. Both Sexuality and Spirituality refer to personal relationships. Sexuality is integral to spiritual growth and depends on it. So I cannot forget the spiritual significance of my sexual life and the sexual significance of my spiritual life. “As a religious priest-human being-, I have the right to yearn for intimacy and closer relationships, more fulfilling and life-giving connectedness with others, with the world, and with myself. I answer God’s call with all that makes me a human being, my sexuality included. My Sexuality connects me to the world, to others, to God and to myself. It is my drive to be present to others to God and to myself with love and tenderness. “The Institute for Sexuality Studies has broadened my perception of sexuality. With a spiritualized sexuality and a sexualized spirituality I may shape and live a more balanced and healthier celibate life and feel at home. ” (Religious Priest, Congo October 2007) |
|
|
“The Institute for Sexuality Studies has provided me a wonderful opportunity to explore this important dimension of human life in a very safe and supportive atmosphere. I have gained tremendously in learning to be comfortable with talking about sex and sexuality and acquiring skills to help others in this area. Above all the Institute offered me the chance, through well-planned seminars, interpersonal discussions, rich reading and video library to explore, address, and reflect on my own personal journey through psychosexual development. I highly recommend this study for every formator and everyone that accompanies others on their psycho-spiritual journey of healthy integration.”
(Religious Sister, Formator and Clinical Psychologist, Nigeria April 2006) |
|
|
“As a vowed celibate religious woman, I have valued the opportunity to speak open and frankly about the many issues that make up our sexuality. It has enabled me to clarify some confusion about sexual feelings and relationships and restore a more balanced perspective to my experiences. The necessity of knowing, understanding and accepting my own story has been confirmed. I have become more compassionate towards myself and I hope I will deepen in my relationships with others in ministry, community, and socially. I have realized the importance of close friendships, relaxation, deep prayer and solitude and feel able to let go of the need to let work overtake those crucial aspects of my celibate commitment. Formators who have attended deeply to their own inner sexual and relational journey will be far more able to facilitate this same journey in their candidates. This program has been a deeply enriching experience and I thank God for leading me to it!”
(Religious Sister, Australia June 2006) |
|
|
“‘Let’s talk about sex’. The aim of this program was for us to talk about sex and so we did. Four weeks of it in an open, caring, supportive and educative way. In my role as a formator of students for priesthood, the program has helped equip me to understand sexuality in my life and the lives of those with whom I journey. It was a holistic learning experience.”
(Religious Priest and Director of Religious Formation, Australia June 2006) |
|
|
“After four weeks at the Institute for Sexuality Studies, I am convinced this course is indispensable for anyone who will be engaged in Formation. The seminars where we received the benefit of the experience and learning of Kevin McClone and others were excellent. Private tutoring session, the availability of books, tapes, and videos on every aspect of sexuality and spirituality, together with small group discussions made it a most fruitful experience and a very significant step in my own journey towards wholeness.”
(Woman Religious, Formation Director, Great Britain June 2005) |
|
|
“I came to this course with a lot of questions surrounding the subject of sexuality and I am happy leaving the Institute with answers to most of my questions. I feel it was a great honor for me to spend time learning about this special gift of my sexuality in an accepting and loving environment where I felt free to speak my mind and share freely my feelings and experiences.”
"I would certainly recommend these seminars to those taking up the challenges of becoming formators. Spirituality and sexuality are very important aspects of our formation in priestly and religious life, often not adequately attended to. The ISS will open the minds and hearts of those trained or working in formation to deal with real issues in the area of sexuality and spirituality. I feel blessed that I spent one month here and wouldn't mind coming back to repeat the same course.”
|
|
|
“Our professors, their seminars, the meeting on a one-on-one with our Director, Kevin McClone and the ample time at our disposal to read, reflect, and interiorize helped me immensely. For me, Kevin was an excellent resource person who for me was a source of deep inner healing. I was deeply touched by his ability to listen sensitively, respectfully and his remarkable expertise was evident in his tutoring and seminars." "Grace Chen-McClone is an excellent process person who earned my deep respect for her ability to get us to share our sexuality and spirituality. She complemented this with her own wisdom and scholarship. Tom and Paul also offered some relevant materials for ministry. I came here primarily to integrate better my spirituality and sexuality and I'm leaving a more healthy and happy person.”
"As a Province Leader, a significant aspect of my roles is listening to our personnel, supporting and challenging them to grow as healthy human beings. This is the first program that I have come across that deals so exclusively and professionally with the integration of sexuality and spirituality. It is a must for future formators and Vocation Directors whose responsibility is to shape integrated religious men and women into the future. I, personally have every intention of sending more of my men here for this course.”
|
|
|
“Participating in the Institute for Sexuality Studies was an integral part of my recent sabbatical program. From a personal perspective, it assisted me to attend further the ongoing integration of my sexuality. Further to this, the program helped me to fine tune my professional skills to accompany the people with whom I journey in spiritual direction, supervision, and counseling. A very worthwhile program for anyone serious about personal and professional development.”
(Religious Priest, Counselor & Spiritual Director, Australia, July 2005) |
|
|
“Sex and the City is a highly-rated American TV series. I couldn't help thinking of this program during the recently concluded seminar on sexuality at the Institute for Sexuality Studies, Chicago. Given that the Institute is located on the campus of Catholic Theological Union (CTU). I suggested to Dr, Kevin McClone who directs the program, what I thought would make a catchy caption for the course: Sex in the CTU! Sex is an absorbing and fascinating topic. Sure enough it captured the minds and hearts of 3 nuns and priests and one brother from countries as diverse as the Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, England, Ireland, and Nigeria.”
“The Course offered participants an invaluable opportunity to explore, discover, and contemplate the rich and intricate dimensions of sexuality in its biological, psychological, and spiritual manifestations. I found the course extremely helpful in appreciating the fuller reality of my sexuality, talking about it without inhibitions and striving for holistic awareness of its centrality in my daily experience of religious life. I benefited greatly from the excellent library resources of books, articles and audio-visual materials on various aspects of human sexuality, not forgetting the wisdom of co-participants and program co-directors, Kevin & Grace. The most important gift that I received from this course was not the graduation certificate but the important lesson that befriending, nurturing, and celebrating my sexuality and responding to God's invitation to pray, love, and serve as a Jesuit.”
|
|
| Top | Home |