History
History
DEPARTMENT OF CATECHESIS, DIOCESE OF FARIDABAD
1. Introduction
The Decree on Oriental Churches teaches: “We should pay attention to protect and develop each individual Church in the world. Wherever necessary, parishes and one’s own hierarchy must be established for the spiritual good of the faithful”. An individual’s life of faith is based on the faith tradition of his mother Church. Hence each individual Church has the responsibility to give pastoral services as well as faith formation to its members wherever they may live. The Department of Catechesis, Diocese of Faridabad, is always action oriented in fulfilling the above.
2. Historical Background
In 1991 the Syro-Malabar Episcopal Commission designated Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan for the pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in the National Capital Region. He was appointed as the Chaplain of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in the Archdiocese of Delhi by His Grace Archbishop Alan De Lastic on 1st June 1991. Msgr. Sebastian organized the Liturgical celebrations in the Syro-Malabar rite in different locations of the city. In 1998 formal Catechism classes began in some Mass Centres. Catechism texts were brought from the Diocese of Kalyan. On 26th June 2004 a Catechetical Commission was formed under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Joshy Vezhaparampil to regulate and spearhead the Catechetical activities. Fr. Kuruvilla Marottickal, Fr. Varghese Moonjely, Sr. Armenia CMC and Mr. Thomas George were the other members of the Commission. Mr. Antony P, Mrs. Marykutty Joseph, Mrs. Alice Paul and Adv. George K Jose, served as zonal coordinators.
As the first Catechetical Director of the Syro Malabar Mission, Fr. Joshy took pains to plant the Catechetical saplings in the untilled soils. In three years he made a basic structure for the department. Then Fr. Kuruvilla Marottickal (2007-2011), Fr. Jimmichan Karthanam (2011-2014), Fr. Paul Kaiprambadan (2014-2015), Fr. Jiju Thuruthikkara (2015-2017) and Fr. Santo Puthumanakunnath MCBS (2017-2020) piloted the Department as its Directors. Fr. Babu Anithanam MST, the present Director, took over in August 2020. Meanwhile Fr. Kuruvilla Marottickal, Fr. Thomas Valookkaran, Fr. Kurian Kattakkayam, Fr. Jimmichan Karthanam and Fr. Martin Vembulliath served as Assistant Directors. Fr. Jomon Kappalumackal, the current Assistant Director, joined in November 2020.
Sr. Armenia CMC, Sr. Jancy Maria CMC, Sr. Lysa FCC, Sr. Elsa Paul CHF and Sr. Akhila Mathew S.D. served as the animators. Mr. Thomas George, Mr. George Thomas and Mr. Wilson A.C served as the Secretaries between 2004 and 2009. Mr. Regi Thomas of Palam has been rendering service as the Secretary since 2009 and Mr. Jacob Thomas of Jasola as the Joint Secretary since 2011.
3. Birth of the Diocese.
With the birth of the new Diocese of Faridabad on 6th March, 2012, the dream of the Syro-Malabar Catholics of the National Capital Region came true. At present 580 teachers instruct 3612 students in 39 Catechetical Units and 24 Mission Centers spread across the NCT of Delhi, and the States of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir and U.P.
4. Catechetical Commission
The Catechism Department is working under the eminent leadership of His Grace Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Bishop Mar Jose Puthenveettil, Rev. Fr. Babu Kurian Anithanam MST, the Director, Fr. Jomon Kappalumackal, the Assistant Director, Mr. Regi Thomas, the Secretary and Mr. Jacob Thomas, the Joint Secretary.
5. Catechism Promoters.
In 2010 Catechism Units were divided into 4 zones. 16 Promoters from these zones pay yearly visits to the Units to bring about better cooperation, coordination and coherence in their functioning and evaluate them. A training session was conducted for the promoters in 2013.
6. Catechism General Council
The Headmasters /Headmistresses and Promoters comprise the Catechism General Council which meets at regular intervals to frame policies, take decisions and implements them.
7. Inauguration of the Catechetical Year and the Teachers’ Convention
Every academic year begins with an inauguration cum orientation programme. The Catechetical Year of 2020-2021 was inaugurated, due to the pandemic, through Truth Tidings, the official media channel of the Diocese, by His Grace Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara on Sunday, 5 July 2020. Over 1400 families attended the live event. Unit level inaugurations were also held on live web program.
Teachers Convention, every year, is held sometime in the February/March of the year. In the context of Covid 19, this year it was conducted differently. The East and South Zones came together at Jasola on 7th of March and the North and West at Ashok Vihar on 14th. Teachers who completed 15 years of service were honoured with mementos.
8. Children’s Convention
Over 2500 children assembled every year for the Children’s Convention. Since 2016 it was conducted zonally. Special classes for the senior students are also held.
9. Texts, Study Materials and Syllabus
Along with the texts, a book on Saints, Order of the Holy Mass, Catechetical Calendar, Diary, etc. are provided to the students. The Diary contains a brief history of the Syro Malabar Church, a quiz related to the Bible and the Church, important prayers and the dates of the major events in the Catechetical Year. Chapters from the Scripture are included in the syllabus of classes IV to IX. Internal assessment carries 10 percent marks.
10. Motto of the Year
A motto is chosen for every Catechetical Year. Catechesis to rediscover why am I a Catholic has been the motto for this year.
11. Classes.
Classes start on the first Sunday of July. There are classes for the tiny tots of the pre-school as well. Under the special circumstances of this year classes were conducted through Zoom meet, Google meet, and Jio meet, etc. usually between 9 to 11 am. The students and teachers were instructed to attend the Holy Qurbana without fail. PPTs for all classes were prepared by the Centre and sent to the Units.
Parents of students from KG to Class 4 were instructed to be with their kids during the class with the videos switched on. WhatsApp groups for each class were created. The Parish Priests/Headmasters could enter the classes randomly to supervise.
12. Semester and Scholarship Examinations
The First Semester Examination is held in November and the second semester in March/April every year. Scholarship Examination is in April/May. Trophies and Certificates are awarded to the winners of the Scholarship Examination. Certificates of Gold are issued to those who score 90 percent marks and above, Silver to those 80 percent and above and Bronze to those 70 percent and above. The first rank holders of classes 10 and 12 are given cash awards also. This year the First Semester examination was conducted online on 15 November 2020 through Google Forms. For KG to class 4 it was oral and for classes 5 to 12 MCQs. A mock test was conducted a fortnight prior to the online Exam. The Second Semester exam will be offline on 11th April 2021. The Final Exams for classes 10 and 12 were conducted on 14th February 2021.
13. Co and Extra Curricular Activities
Besides the normal classes, extracurricular and co curricular activities such as Webinars, Quizzes, Crosswords, songs, dances, art and craft, special competitions, etc. are being conducted to make online classes more interesting.
14. Promoters Visit
The Promoters’ Visit this year was held virtually. For the purpose, units prepared a 5 minutes video showcasing their activities of the year.
15. Catechism Website
The catechism department launched its own website www.catechismfaridabad.com in 2013 and its new modified version www.catechismfaridabad.org was re-launched on 1st March 2020’
16. Theology Course for Laity
A Bachelors’ Degree Course in Theology for the laity and the Religious Sisters was started in 2018 in association with the Alpha Institute of Theology and Science, Thalasseri. It is being conducted under the auspices of the Department of Catechism. The response has been very reassuring. The convocation of its first batch would be held in December 2021. The second batch has completed two semesters. The third batch begins in April 2021. The Catechism teachers are being encouraged to do this Course.
17. Logos Bible Quiz
The Catechism Department conducts the Logos Bible Quiz every year. The rank holders and the Units that send the highest number of participants are awarded.
18. Model Catechism Units
Since 2012 two Sunday School Units from each Zone are adjudged the Model Sunday Schools. The aim is to set higher benchmarks of ideal performance and to inculcate the spirit of healthy competition. It is based on the Promoters Visit and the evaluation by the Executive Council.
19. WhatsApp groups
WhatsApp groups for HMs and Promoters ensure instant, easy and effective communication. Various such groups function at the Zonal and Unit level too.
20. Zoom Input Session for teachers
The interactive session conducted by Rev. Dr. Vincent Kundukulam with the teachers on 11 October 2020 was highly appreciated by all. In his characteristic style Father discussed the effective ways of conducting the classes amidst the covidian challenges.
21. Teachers Day Celebration
The Teachers’ Day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to 4th November. This year it was virtual. Messages from the Archbishop, Auxiliary bishop, Director and an array of cultural delicacies marked the beautiful hour long programme.
22. General Council Meetings
Meetings of the Promoters and Headmasters are held at frequent intervals . This year they were arranged through Zoom Meet and offline.
23. Catechism Teachers Training Program
The Department imparted class wise training to the teachers in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
24. Children’s Summer Camp
Christ Fiesta, a Summer Camp for senior children is conducted at Sanjoe Puram during the summer holidays. One of the major objectives is to help the children discern their own vocation.
25. Short Film Competition and Manuscript Magazine
A Hand written Magazine competition was conducted in 2012 and a short film competition in 2014.
26. Catechism Souvenir
A catechism souvenir named Vishwas Kiran was published in 2007 and another named Fides, in the year of faith, in 2013.
27. Pratibha Sangamam
A special gathering of the rank holders and their families was organized in 2016.
28. Catechism Calendar
A special Catechetical calendar was published in 2021 featuring the photos of all teachers, Unit wise, and those of the hierarchy of the department.
Conclusion
The Department of Catechism, ever conscious of its onerous responsibilities, has been rendering commendable service to the fledgling Diocese and its young faithful. The Lord has ever blessed it with competent Directors, Assistant Directors and other office bearers with a sharp vision and a sense of mission. His Grace, Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara has consistently acknowledged the contributions of the Department of Catechism.