By Thai SC

       Don Bosco Vitthaya, Udonthani, Thailand, 30 January 2023 -- From 19-21 January 2023, the Salesian Catechetical Commission of Thailand led by Fr Ekasit Talhakultorn, the delegte in charge of catechetical activities, organized the first mobile meeting for the year 2023 at Don Bosco Vitthaya School, Udonthani. There were 12 representatives from the salesian institutes who participated.

       On the morning of 19 January 2023, the catechists reported on their catechetical activities during the months of July to December 2022. They also shared about the on-going activities in this new year. In the afternoon, the catechists participated in the seminar-workshop on the topic "Teaching Catechism And Colorful Colors On Color Lines" with Professor Somchai Traiwanthavee as the resource person. This was done to enhance the art skills in drawing and in coloring, very much useful for a quality catechetical instructions.

       On the second day, the catechists travelled to Vientiane, Laos to make a pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Vientiane Diocese. They celebrated the Holy Mass there presided by Fr Patrick Maccioni, SDB. From there, the group visited the Victory Gate located in the center of Vientiane City. The highlight of the day was the visit to Don Bosco Vocational Training Center - Vientiane. From there, the group witnessed the missionary work of the salesians among the truly poor and destitute youth. Fr Maccioni, the rector, described the history and the Salesian mission, which encouraged the catechists to dedicate themselves to spreading the good news with greater selflessness. On this occasion, the catechists hosted the noon meal of all the teachers and trainees. In the afternoon, the catechists visited the Vientiane Catechetical Center. This Center is newly opened and is having the first batch of 20 students [not more than 40 years old], undergoing a formation of one month. The group listened to the sharing of one trainee catechist who revealed the motivation on being a catechist and the difficulties of evangelization in the midst of the political and social situation that the church is facing.

       On the last day, the catechists visited the Clarist Capuchin Sisters at the Annunciation Convent. Before they left back for home, the catechists visited also the Mother of Perpetual Help Cathedral of Catholic Diocese of Udonthani which served as their final activity.

       This meeting achieved the set objectives as planned because in addition to the meeting between teachers from different institutions, this also created a more collaborative network.

       Moreover, the Salesian Province of Thailand established the Salesian Catechetical Commission in 2009 with Fr Ekasit Talhakultorn. The Commission met and organized various activities to gradually develop the catechetical instructions in the salesian institutes. Aside from this, in 23 August 2018, there was also the establishment of the Catechetical Commission of the Salesian Family of Thailand, with the purpose to promote cooperation in the development of quality catechetical instructions. The commission has been working well up to the present.

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