from peyton institute for families

On 26th May 2023, the Peyton Institute for Families held its Graduation Day for students of Postgraduate level training in Family Therapy. The nine students began their journey into the complexities of individual, group, and family counseling in August 2022. The program is rigorous, residential, and focuses a lot on the person of the counselor. These nine students consist of three priests, two sisters, and four laywomen.  The students come from a variety of backgrounds from across India. Living together and experiencing diversity has a learning curve and is foundational to practicing the knowledge and skills in helping families to ‘stay together.’ The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in India. He has been a pillar of support for us in our ministry here. The homilist was Fr. Arul Raj csc, the founding director of the Institute and currently the Executive Secretary of CCBI Family Commission. In the Graduation ceremony that followed, Dr. Vincent Darlong, former Vice-Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, was the chief guest. Fr. Pinto Paul C.S.C., International Director of HCFM, sent an inspiring message to the graduating students. Fr. Roque D’Costa C.S.C., the chairman of the Governing Body of the Institute, presented the certificates to the new graduates. Several visiting faculties, Holy Cross religious, well-wishers, and family/friends of participants attended the ceremony, which concluded with a sumptuous meal. It was a day of rejoicing when everyone experienced what it means to say, “My soul magnifies the Lord... He who is mighty has done great things for me.”