Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Oct 15: Emmaus counselling Centre of the Carmelite Fathers  organised a one day workshop for the parents on the theme ‘Enriching Parenthood".

Fr Placido  Pereira MSFS, a sociologist and the principal of St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Siolim delivered the key note address. He focused on the core issues of  parental behaviour and explained the importance of enriching parents.

Fr Diogo Proença OCD, director of the Emmaus Counselling Centre welcomed the gathering and briefed the activities of the centre right from its establishment. 

Br Amyas Quadros OCD invoked God’s blessings through a short prayer service. Fr Ajith  Rodrigues OCD proposed the vote of thanks for the inaugural function.

During the day different aspects of parenting were discussed by the resource persons, Dr Janet D’souza,  associate professor, St Xavier’s College,  Mapusa  and Br John  Malvino Alfonso OCD, co-ordinator of the workshop.

Dr Janet  D’Souza  focussed  on the different types of parenting styles and helped them to identify their style  of parenting. Br John Malvino  Alfonso OCD, dealing with the communication aspect of the  parenting explained the Transactional Analysis(TA) Model of Dr Eric Berne and demonstrated how the TA model helps  to understand the communication pattern.

He also explained to the parents the importance of listening and helped them to refute irrational beliefs by using Albert Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavioural  Therappy (REBT) . Dr Janet D’souza  dealt with the case study session giving practical tips to enrich parenthood.

Dr B A Gomes, director, ASPIRE,  Mapusa,  while delivering his valedictory address shared his experience as a parent and stressed on the need for love, good character, transparency and forgiveness on behalf of the parent.

Br John Malvino Alfonso OCD,a co-ordinator of the programmes of the EMMAUS expressed his happiness over the feedback and explained the purpose of conducting the workshop.