The Sower and The Seed: An essential formation for catechists

Feb 22, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The KL Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry (KLACM) recently hosted the third annual The Sower and The Seed formation course for catechists. This foundational certification course, developed in collaboration with HELP University, was initially designed for new catechists but is now also open to experienced catechists.

The course serves three key objectives: to inspire participants to embrace the vocation and mission of catechesis, to equip them with essential skills for planning effective catechetical lessons, and to foster a sense of community by providing opportunities to connect with catechists from various parishes.

A notable highlight of this year’s course was the active involvement of lay formators and facilitators. All sessions were led by these lay formators, who have been mentored over the years by Dr Steven Selvaraju, Director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Centre.

The course took place on February 8 and 9 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre and was offered in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, and Mandarin. Seventy-two participants from across the archdiocese attended. The topics covered included the Vocation and Mission of the Catechist, Catechetical Process, Understanding Learners and Learning, Lesson Planning, Spirituality of a Catechist, and Assessment and Reflection.

The event began with a welcoming speech by Dr Steven, who highlighted the importance of the formation in helping catechists fulfill their central role as teachers of the Catholic faith. He also expressed his gratitude to the participants for their commitment to the formation.

The Why and How of Being a Catechist
Then the participants moved to their designated rooms for the different language presentations. The opening session on Vocation and Mission of the Catechist first touched on the challenges of passing on our faith in a changing world, and the various difficulties that modern Catholics face; before helping participants to recall how God had called them and set them apart as witnesses, accompaniers and teachers of the faith. By teaching the knowledge of the faith, introducing prayer and the liturgy, as well guiding the moral formation of learners through life in the community, catechists are called to help learners grow in relationship with Christ and fruitfully live their faith.

The second session on the Catechetical Process was an introduction on the ‘how’ of being a catechist, rooted in the principles of Divine Pedagogy, or how God teaches His people. Based on the Directory for Catechesis, a document produced by the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation in 2020, this session covered the basic principles of catechetical methodology (methods of teaching the faith) that make catechesis more effective in any setting. Participants were also introduced to the Malaysian Catechetical Series and how each topic in the books were based on the same principles of catechesis as well as their role in bringing each lesson to life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and with Jesus as their role model.

The formation continued with two more sessions on the technical aspects of catechesis: Understanding Learners and Learning, as well as Lesson Planning. Based not only on the principles of catechesis, but also incorporating modern theories such as concepts of multiple intelligences, hierarchy of needs, cognitivism and constructivism, these sessions aim to help participants understand their learners and how learning happens before guiding them to prepare their own lesson plans in a step-by-step process. Participants were strongly encouraged to properly reflect on the aims of each topic in preparation for their lesson and to plan how they would achieve those aims through various approaches and activities.

A Night of Prayer
The final session for the day was designed to give each participant an opportunity to experience different types of prayer. Participants were divided into smaller groups and rotated through several facilitated prayer stations, such as Lectio Divina, Intercessory Prayer and the Examen. Many participants expressed how the prayer experiences moved and encouraged them in their vocation and mission for the coming year.

These experiences would be the base of their reflections the following morning as the next session on the Spirituality of the Catechist began and participants learned about the importance of taking spirituality seriously on their journey as catechists.

Putting It All Together
The formation concluded with a group activity where participants were tasked with preparing and delivering a lesson to their peers. This exercise allowed them to showcase what they had learned over the weekend, as well as draw on their prior experiences. For many, stepping into the shoes of learners provided valuable insight into their own teaching styles. It was a dynamic and enriching session, where the exchange of ideas and feedback encouraged and supported each participant.

The final session focused on Assessment and Reflection, highlighting the importance of assessment in every catechetical lesson. Dr Steven emphasised how assessment helps catechists better understand their learners and adjust their approaches to meet their needs. Self-reflection, in turn, enables catechists to identify areas for improvement and enhance their skills, leading to more effective learning experiences.

The two-day formation culminated in a certification ceremony, where participants were delighted to receive their certificates from Archbishop Julian Leow. The ceremony marked a joyful moment, with new friendships formed and promises to reconnect in the future.

As the formation concluded, we extend our heartfelt wishes to all participants, hoping that the weekend's experience has given them the inspiration and support needed to continue their important work in catechesis. We trust they will carry the lessons learned into their ministries, facing another year of challenges with renewed dedication and fulfillment. --KL Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry