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In this 5-week course (running on consecutive Saturdays), Father Malachy Keegan bring together the ancient wisdom of the Christian tradition with the insights of modern psychology.
Week 1
Examining the need for normal healthy change and growth
We all have a deep-seated desire and longing to keep growing in our humanness and in our faiths and spiritualities. The starting point is our early life experience which hugely influences our views of self, of others and of God. Remembering and better understanding those experiences which have formed us can be the first steps towards on-going healthy change and growth. Even facing the wounded parts of ourselves, can lead us further along the path of love for which we long.
Week 2
Self-awareness, the urge to care for others and a growing sense of God
Reflecting on our individual, unique life stories, coupled with learning how to effectively care for others, opens us up to an increasing awareness of a divine, loving and healing presence. Noticing, accepting and rejoicing in the vital importance of personal feelings, as well as rational thought, brings new energy and hope. The power of love within us leads to compassionate, tender and wise connections with others.
Week 3
Uncovering the original blessing and coming to know that “all is well; all manner of things are well” (Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love)
We recognise the frailties that afflict us all. We face the struggles of life. We must also know and experience the gentle, compassionate and healing presence of God in all the circumstances that make up our lives. As we learn to listen and to open ourselves to grace, the uncertainty remains but is transformed into much more than resilience.
Week 4
Healthy heart and mind; life-giving faith and spirituality
A pathway is built between a healthy heart and mind and a healthy, spiritual way of living. Together we flourish, while separated we diminish. Awareness expands. Becoming more human and alive, we begin to glimpse the glory of God in people, in ‘ordinary’ things, in places and events.
Week 5
Holiness and wholeness
‘When I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Cor 12: 10) Can I dare to be myself? Discovering completeness- the divine and the human dwelling in harmony, within me. What does it mean to be the ‘wounded healer’? Everyday mysticism. Continuing the journey.
Each week of the five-week Course, there will be an in-person session at the London Jesuit Centre, lasting 2 hours. During each week’s session, suggested Readings and Points for Reflection will be offered, in preparation for the next session.
D.W. Winnicott, Babies and Their Mothers, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1992, 89-103.
Self-Awareness and a Sense of God
We begin to clarify key moments in our developmental process and begin to see God at work in our lives. Recall significant, formative moments in your life. Consider how God was present in that time and place and event. Take as much time as you need, beginning in early childhood and continuing right up to the present moment.
J. Crowley, Encounters of the Heart and Soul. in The Tablet 7 August 2021, pg. 10-11.
Prejudice?
Look at the list of statements below. Complete honestly this list of statements with particular emphasis on feelings rather than rational thoughts.
My boss at work is……
My in-laws are…….
Conservative or Labour or Liberal or Green Politicians are….
Vladimir Putin is……
People who refuse to be vaccinated are……
People who break the law are……
The Parish Priest/Religious Superior is……
Sex Offenders are…….
People who upset me are……
The Catholic Church is……
Those who lie, are……
P. Collard, The Little Book of Mindfulness. Gaia Books, 2014, 7-17.
Anger Styles
There are three options – Hanging on to anger; allowing anger to escalate; managing anger.
What is my normal reaction to feeling anger?
Reasons for hanging on to my anger
Reasons for my anger escalating to rage
How do I manage my anger?
Please reflect on the following questions:
How has your relationship with the Lord improved by time of being in the present moment?
What gets in the way of having a present moment focus?
St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasises the value of reflecting on our lived experiences. What experiences have you had that enabled you to reflect and perhaps grow spiritually and psychologically?
C. Rogers, On Becoming a Person, Constable&Robinson Ltd, 2021, 183-196.
The creation and management of Conditions of Worth
While shopping in a crowded store with your young child, she falls over and
cries. You tell her to “stop crying and stop causing a fuss.” What has this
incident to do with a ‘Condition of Worth’?
Please find examples in your life of:
Rapport – the ability to make oneself available to another person in an open and non-defensive way
Empathy – a desire and ability to warmly sense the feelings and thoughts of another person
Unconditional love – a desire and ability to see and accept whatever another person is, at any moment, even though I may not have the same values.
Iain McGilchrist, ‘The singing of things’. in The Tablet 4 December 2021, pg. 6-8.
Self-Awareness and a Sense of God
We begin to clarify key moments in our developmental process and begin to see God at work in our lives. Recall significant, formative moments in your life. Consider how God was present in that time and place and event. Take as much time as you need, beginning in early childhood and continuing right up to the present moment.
Please consider:
What are my needs and fears; my hope and joys?
Can noticing my needs and fears, hopes and joys, somehow empower and enable me to no longer feel so threatened by others, by events and by circumstances and instead allow me to see in everyone, in events and in circumstances, the presence of the Lord and the salvation he offers me?
We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide us with feedback on your experience with our course. Please complete an evaluation form here:
Fully Human Fully Alive - Part 1 · ChurchSuite Forms
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this request.
Mgr Malachy Keegan is a Catholic priest, ordained 51 years ago, and an accredited, practising psychotherapist for almost 20 years. He has worked in the U.K. and Europe, Africa, India, North and South America often among poor and traumatised people. He studied Psychology and Spirituality at the University of Berkeley, California as well as in the UK. He worked in prisons in the UK and Europe for 14 years with people who have both suffered immense trauma in their own lives and have inflicted trauma on others. He has been chaplain to a Religious community of Contemplatives as well as a hospital and school chaplain. He is presently a Parish Priest, near Croydon in South London.
