1. COMMUNICATION THEOLOGY RESEARCH AND TRAINING
   (A pilot project in pastoral communication formation in seminary, 1997-)
   
   • Integrated formation Programme
   • Conference: Towards a Communication Theology
   • Conference: Communicating the Gospel
2. MEDIA EDUCATION PROGRAMME
   (Media literacy for students, teachers, parents and the pastoral agents)
3. COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
4. SANTHOME MISSION ANIMATION AND COMMUNICATION
   (The Communication and Mission Animation department of MST, 1995-)
   • Santhome Communications
   • Santhome Mission Animation
   • Kadukumani (Children’s) Mission Animation Programme
   • Kadukumani children’s Mission Magazine
   • Kadukumani Mission Quiz
   • Kadukumani children’s Development fund
5. GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATION MINISTRY OF MST

1. COMMUNICATION THEOLOGY RESEARCH AND TRAINING

   Ruhalaya Theological College was started by MST in 1997 to impart missionary formation to her own candidates and to others working in mission dioceses. Being a theological college in the mission and for exclusive missionary formation, Ruhalaya gave great importance to missiological formation. Taking note of the fact that modern communications media constitute the “modern Areopagus” (RM 37c) and housetops for the proclamation of the Gospel, Ruhalaya took great care to integrate communication formation into the theological formation programme. This was done at the initiative and guidance of Fr. Joseph Palakeel, who drew up the theological formation programme and curriculum and served as the Dean of theology from 1997-2004. This also include two international conferences on communication theology and a media education programme.
   
   

   • INTEGRATED FORMATION IN COMMUNICATION

     
     Ruhalaya theological curriculum includes 10 credits (150 hrs) of communication formation and an equal amount of time in praxis. It consists of courses, workshops, and hands-on training and praxis. It starts with three weeks exclusive and intensive communication training in a suitable location followed by communication theory and praxis during the 4 years of theological formation.

   Intensive Course on Communication Three weeks’ intensive and exclusive communication training organized in summer is a synergic combination of theoretical and practical training in communication. It is designed as a live-in learning experience in the world of communication. It has a carefully chosen course content, exercises and practical. Every activity during this period contributes to the course, including the time table, classes, prayer and meditation, meals, games and outings, walk and sightseeing. They not just learn communication but live it. The course is envisaged as a three weeks’ programme to suit the basic division of communication into Interpersonal, Group communication and Mass Media. A week each is devoted to each major type of medium. Besides, being a live-in programme with a lot of exercises and activities, intended to get the students immersed in the world of communication, it needs much time to be effective.

   Communication theory This is followed by a 30 hours (2 credits) of communication theory and 30 hours on pastoral communication skills and tools. The theoretical classes help to assimilate the learning experience during the intensive course into the overall theological formation. Communication theory This is followed by a 30 hours (2 credits) of communication theory and 30 hours on pastoral communication skills and tools. The theoretical classes help to assimilate the learning experience during the intensive course into the overall theological formation.

   Media Education programme Students also conduct media literacy and education programme on a regular basis in the neighboring schools. Ruhalaya theology students offer also one-day workshops to teachers and students on media in the diocesan schools. They also conduct media training and workshops and/or use media in faith formation during the summer vacation. Successful integration of Communication formation This integral communication programme of Ruhalaya is a great success as it is a comprehensive programme with a well-planned strategy to suit the seminaries. It is an instance of integrating communication into the theological formation as envisaged by the Guide to the Formation of priests in the means of Communication.

   • RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATION THEOLOGY

     National Conference on Theology and Social Communication. Theme: “Towards a Communicative Theology” Date, Venue: January 1-5, 2003 - Ruhalaya, Ujjain. M.P. Organizer: Dr. Joseph Palakeel, Dean of Theology, Ruhalaya, Ujjain, India Participants: Twenty-eight theologians (mostly Deans of Theology faculties) and seven communication experts from 30 Catholic seminaries/communication centres. Activity: 16 papers; Group and Panel Discussions, Multimedia presentations. Publication: Joseph Palakeel (ed.), Towards a Communication Theology, ATC, Bangalore, India, 2003, 280p.

Goals and Objectives:

• Study the existing communication programmes in the seminaries.
• Create awareness about the communication revolution gripping the world and India.
• Take note of how the media has altered thinking, learning and expression.
• Remove the cloud of negativism and indifference to communications media.
• Emphasize the need for a ‘Communication Theology’ for seminary formation.
• Introduce communication courses in seminaries.
• Show that communications is not just a matter of mastering or using media skills and techniques, but an integral part of the mission of the Church.
• Create awareness that social communications is not just as an option for the chosen few, but a necessity for all pastoral personnel.

Findings:

• The clouds of negativism and indifference to social communications are thinning out.
• An increasing number of seminary professors think that communications can no more be ignored.
• The conference noted that seminaries have to become more communicative in teaching methods, lifestyle and pastoral formation.
• Most Seminaries do not have a systematic formation in communication, beyond a course on homiletics or film appreciation.

Outcome

• New awareness about the importance of Communication formation in priestly training among the participants and in their seminaries.
• Several seminaries introduced at least one course in communication.
• An E-News group was formed (mailto:mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) as a discussion group to share prospects and problems, needs and concerns and to share our experiences.
• A new Website: www.theologicon.org.
• Publication of the book, Joseph Palakeel (ed.), Towards a Communication Theology, ATC, Bangalore, India, 2003, 280p.

Suggestions

• Gather expectations from individual seminaries.
• Undertake a study on the young priests within a five year period of their ordination to finds out what are the communication priorities and felt-need of ministry.
• Facilitate and work through existing formation structures of religious congregations and other bodies.
• Follow up of this seminar should be done every year or other year.
• Animation programmes, may be conducted for professors of different seminaries - either in one seminary, or a group of seminaries
• Possibility of the various topics as the resource books may be explored.
• The assembly expressed the need for a basic communication book for formation.