By Fr. Robinson Parappilly, SDB

Tetere, Solomon Islands, 25 July 2023 -- The weekend of July 21 to 23, 2023, had more than 35 Catechists from three parishes. Good Shepherd Parish, Red Beach, and Assumption Parish, Ruavatu gathered at Christ the King Parish, Tetere to reflect upon the Ministry of Catechists and to learn from each other.

The program began with a recollection program. The participants reflected upon the Synodality and importance of Catechetical ministry. The second day was spent on a program based on 'Parish Alive' where questions on ‘Why the Catholics leave the Church’, and what are the challenges of Catechists were discussed in their own parishes. These resulted in many eye-opening resolutions.

Fr. Robinson who animated the seminar, emphasized the Missionary Mandate of Jesus. He also talked on the call of Pope Francis to the Church as a community of missionary disciples, and how to move forward in our daily lives. The catechists were guided on how to put this Missionary mandate into action. Evangelization, Discipleship and Missionary Discipleship were explained. Taking the example of Jesus meeting with a Samaritan woman at the well, the Catechists were helped to understand the meaning of these basic terminologies which would help them in their Catechist Ministry.

To assist parishes to go and make disciples, catechists learned to be a welcoming Church, formulate programs for Christian faith, build Basic Christian Communities (BCC), Faith formation, and how to make the Church Alive through worship and service ministries. The last session of the day had the groups do a self-assessment on each of these activities and how they can improve upon them in their respective parishes. In the evening they were given training in Lectio Divina and how to pray scripture using the steps of Lectio Divina.

All the Catechists participated in the well-animated liturgy and the celebration for the third International Day of the Grandparents. They also elected their office bearers and commented that they wanted to continue this kind of formation for the coming years. For most of the catechists, this was the first time to attend such a formation program.

They thanked Fr. Robinson Parappilly, the Parish Priest of Christ the King for the three days of formation given to them and Mr. Michael Vavavua who took the first step in organising the Deanery program.

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