Catechism Ministry

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” Mark 16:15

Catechesis is one of the most important ministries in the church as we share our faith and knowledge with our children and youth. The word “catechesis” comes from a Greek word that means “to echo” or “hand-down what has been received”. Our program therefore continues sowing the seeds by proclaiming through voice and action – the Word of God.

What We Do

Our calling is to facilitate and nurture our children’s experience of the Love of Jesus Christ through:

  • Continually sowing the seed and promoting the knowledge of our faith.
  • Teaching our children to pray and to discern.
  • Serving as good role-models for their Christian formation.
  • And enabling our children to grow and to ultimately serve meaningfully in our community.

We are a team of 65 Catechists teaching every Friday for classes 1 to 12. Classes begin in September and end in June. We cater to approximately 1400 children in:

  • Classes 1 – 4 (age group 6 – 9 years) Preparation for Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion.
  • Classes 5 – 8 (age group 10 – 13) Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • Classes 9 – 12 (age group 14 – 17) Youth program

Catechism Plan

Activity Audience Venue Time
Holy Mass Grade 3 to Grade 5 Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Classes Grade 4 (1st Batch) St Anthony Community Centre (1st Floor) 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Classes (Liturgy of the Word) Grade 1 & Grade 2 (2nd Batch) Padre Pio Hall 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Classes - St Anthony Cummunity Centre 10:15AM - 11:15AM
Classes Grade 3 & Grade 5 St Francis of Assisi 10:15AM - 11:15AM
Classes followed by Mass in Sacred Heart Church Grade 6 to Grade 12 St Francis of Assisi & St Anthony Community Centre 9:00AM - 10:10AM

Dropping off and Picking up your child

For all classes: Please do not drop off your child more than 10 minutes before the start of class.

Std I and Std II -Children are to be dropped off at the St Pio’s Hall (Social Hall)
Std III and Std V – Children are to be dropped off at Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium.
Std IV –Children to be dropped in their classes at (St.Francis the Assisi – New Block)
Std VI to XII to be dropped in their respective classes.
Please ensure that your child comes to class on time, as latecomers disrupt the class for the teacher and the other children.
Thank you for your consideration.

Pick-up

All children from Std I and Std II must be collected near the Canteen situated at St. Anthony Community Center. Please wait near the Parish Office to collect him/her promptly at the end of class.

After 11:25

Your child will be taken to the Church office to wait for pick-up. Teachers and volunteers have to leave shortly at the end of class.

PLEASE INSTRUCT YOUR CHILD TO WAIT FOR YOU IN THIS HOLDING AREA AND NOT TO GO OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPOUND ALONE. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF LATE PICK-UP AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF AND CHILD WITH THE LOCATION OF THE CHURCH OFFICE.

Children's Catechism Year Planner

October

Handing of the faith is a fundamental preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a symbolic gesture where parents along with the Catechist instill in their children the values and integrity of standing firm and defending their faith and witnessing Christ.

Catechist will share the Gospel, the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection that conquered the penalty of sin through their theme “Go therefore make disciples of all nation”. Mathew 28: 19

Catechism children are encouraged to make charts which will be displayed along the wall of the Church Compound. Primary classes are invited to view the artwork on Salvation History this coming weekend.

November
Parents/teacher student meeting will be conducted on Friday’s at 11.15 am after the classes at St. Athony Community Center, St Francis of Assisi- (new block) and in our Lady of Arabia Auditorium. Please be there for the entire class briefing, discussion on the syllabus and how the program works and suggestion will take place. Please note this is not a one to one meeting. We expect parents to be involved in their child’s faith formation. Parents please ensure you have received the Letter of Invitation from your children.
3 days seminar and workshop facilitated by Fr. Franco will be held for all the catechists to deepen their personal spirituality and brush up skills of effective catechism. All are requested to attend this session.
December

During the month of December the true spirit of Christmas is brought alive with a day of fun and activity with the purpose of bringing out the true meaning of Christmas with a nativity play.

February

Parish Family Day is a day of fellowship, fun and excitement. Catechists along with the children put up a stall where children are encouraged to play games and answer Biblical quizzes. It is a holiday for all catechism children.

Recollection/Parents Meeting for First Holy Communion and Confirmation candidates, date to be announced later.
March

Children who are preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and Communion will have a one day retreat, conducted by our Spiritual Director Fr. Andrew in coordination with the catechists.

Grade 5 to 12 is held in March in which we encourage children to read and understand the Bible.

Grade 3 to Grade 4 have a Biblical story telling competition, which helps them to get familiar with the parables and grow in their faith.

Grade 1 and Grade 2 have a Biblical Fancy dress in which children will talk about Biblical character and their work in Salvation history.

Confirmation and First Holy Communion will be celebrated in April or May. Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our preparations, days of recollection and celebrations too.

June

On the last day of Catechism in June, children are awarded with merit certificate for the best performance in exams and regular attendance certificate.

 

Eucharistic Adoration for children on every 1st Friday of the month. Starts at 11.15 a.m in the church before the mass to help them deepen their love for JESUS and believe in His Holy PRESENCE in the Blessed Sacrament.

Saints of the Month

Every 3rd Friday of the month is devoted to the Saints. 10 minutes before the mass, values based on the life of Saints and how the children can imitate the saints as their role model is imparted.

Way of the Cross

Children will meditate on the suffering of Jesus by performing the “Way of the Cross” inside the church before Mass.

General Meeting

Every 2nd Friday the catechists meet the Spiritual Director, Coordinators and core group members to discuss the ways and means to improve the quality of teaching catechism.

Ministry Coordinators

For further enquiries, please contact:

Aldita Da Costa
Catechism Coordinator
For Std I to Std 4
Tel No 39224502