Catechists complete two-year programme

Thirty catechists from Johor received their “Certificates of Excellence” from Fr Simon Yong after the Eucharist Celebration July 23.

Aug 05, 2017

By Vincent D’Silva
Thirty catechists from Johor received their “Certificates of Excellence” from Fr Simon Yong after the Eucharist Celebration July 23. They had completed a two-year Training Programme for Catechists at Majodi Centre.

Susan Tay, assistant head of Melaka-Johor Diocesan Catechetical Commission said, “The training programme is holistic in three aspects — Person, Theory and Skills.”

The Certificate is presented to candidates who have completed the thirteen-month programme.

She said, “Jesus calls catechists to His work and depends on them to assist in the handing on of the faith with competence,” adding that it involves personal growth in faith, theoretical knowledge of Catholicism and teaching skills.

She pointed out that catechists attending this programme also undergo an assessment exam on what they have studied at the end of each month.

This was to ensure they gain knowledge and skills (methodology) to equip them in their catechising.

She called on all catechists who have yet to attend this 13-month programme to register so that they too can be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills, adding that “the course is a one whole-day programme on a monthly basis.”

She stressed that for Johor, the course is held at Majodi Centre while for those in Melaka, it is held at St Peter’s Church.

Among the topics covered during the two years are Introduction to Catechesis, Understanding our Vocation, Mission and Spirituality as Catechists, Using Scripture in Catechesis and the Importance of the Catecism of the Catholic Church (CCC).

Other topics include Linking Liturgy and Catechesis, Using the Social Teachings of the Church in Catechesis, Pedagogy for Catechesis and Classroom Management.

Francis Soh, Johor Catechists Coordinator said this programme is useful as the training will equip catechists with knowledge of the teaching of the Church and other skills.

Soh urged catechists and parents who have children in Catechism classes to attend the next programme.

He said, “They can register with their parish priest if they have the interest in wanting to be future catechists.”

A similar programme was also conducted in Melaka where 24 catechists graduated and received their scrolls on August 13 at the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary.

Tay said the training programme was the brainchild of Fr Norris Seenivasan, SJ. He is currently the assistant parish priest at the Church of St Francis Xavier in Petaling Jaya.

Total Comments:0

Name
Email
Comments