OUR TEACHERS
Class Patron: Saint Dominic Savio–
Std. 1&2 – age 6-7yrs
– Preeta Fernandes,
Lovanxa Gomes, Vivette Rego
Class Patron: Saint Francis of Assisi
– Std. 3&4 – age 8&9yrs
–
Sr.Leema FSI, Reena Pinto
Class Patron: Saint Mother Teresa
– Std. 5, 6, 7 – 10, 11, 12yrs
–
Deepa Almeida, Mildred Tauro, Brother Johny Varghese, Sanjeev Joseph
Class Patron: Saint Joseph –
Std. 8, 9, 10 – 13, 14, 15yrs
– Dominic
A P, Pradeep Kanthraj, Sr. Mary Celine
Kannada
Catechism – Sr.Asha and Sr.Vanila
INTRODUCTION AND TRIBUTE TO THE TEACHERS
The
teachers who have volunteered for this great service of teaching catechism are
truly talented and very dedicated. Every one of them is readily present to
teach the children and to be involved in any activities planned. Their
commitment and sacrifice is deeply appreciated and highly commended. The
children have very positive feedbacks about every teacher involved in this
activity. All of them are working professionals / students with very tight
weekly schedules. They have taken time to offer their services in spite of
various pressures and commitments. Their humility and steadfastness is
appreciated and recognized.
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
Inauguration and Welcome – June 19, 2016 at Mount St. Joseph
Hall by the Parish Priest, Fr. Arun Kumar SJ.
Children
were introduced to the Teachers, the new method adopted for the catechism. The
parents were asked to be more involved and to involve the children in any
activities announced during the course of the year. It was decided to have the
Children’s mass every 4th Sunday of the month and the practice for
the mass was fixed for the 3rd and 4th Saturday evening at
4pm.
The
criteria for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation was discussed. Later the
names were registered for the catechism classes with a fee of Rs.350 per head.
Those who couldn’t afford were waived off on individual case basis.The names of
those interested in choir, reading and altar service were registered.
June 26th 2016,
the Catechism classes commenced in the premises of Nirmal Jyothi Institute.
The Sisters of Nirmal Jyothi have always supported us with their facilities. This
year, due to the increase in the number of catechism children, we needed 2
extra class rooms. The Sisters accommodated us by rearranging their schedule
for their resident students. We thank the Sisters for their continued support
and encouragement.
Catechism Classes commenced – June 26, 2016 – 8.15am – 9.15am
every Sunday at Nirmal Jyothi
The
children assemble at the premises of Nirmal Jyothi for a short prayer and Hymn.
Later they proceed to the classes in order. The teachers are extremely
dedicated. They follow a theme every Month with a prescribed Syllabus.
The
focus is to involve the children and to have interactive sessions. The syllabus
of every class on a daily basis broadly covers prayers, hymns, and talk on the
subject for the day based on the theme decided, Bible references and Bible
stories.
The
themes of the month chosen this year have been July - Prayer, August - Faith,
September - Service & Charity, October – Mercy & Compassion, November –Confession
and reconciliation, December – Advent and Preparation for the Second coming of
Christ.
CHOIR AND MASS ANIMATION
It
is amazing to see the talent that our children have. The children’s mass has
been successfully animated by the catechism children every fourth Sunday of the
month. This will continue even after the regular catechism class ends. The
choir team is very dedicated and the children come promptly for the practice.
The music and the singing has seen a steady growth in quality. The children who
take up the reading have shown drastic improvement in their speech and
announcements. The dedication of the parents, who are encouraging their
children though they have class and other activities, is deeply appreciated.
The children are willing to give time to the church services even during their
exams. They deserve a great round of applause.
PREPARATION FOR THE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (FHC) – COMMENCED
ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 BY DOMINIC A P
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children registered to prepare for the First Holy Communion. We had a meeting
with the parents of the children on August 28, 2016. Father Antony Lawrence SJ gave
a very meaningful talk on “the role of parents in the formation of faith in the
children”, “preparation to receive Christ and the importance of confession”.
The
parents were very receptive to the plan for the children. The preparatory
classes are held from September 4, 2016 between 9.30am – 11am under the able
guidance of Dominic A P. These classes are after the regular catechism classes.
The children are provided with breakfast in the short break between the 2
catechism classes. The parents have volunteered to contribute and help in the
arrangements.
FHC Retreat and First Sacrament of Reconciliation
November
6, 2016, a half a day retreat for all the children preparing for the FHC and
their parents was conducted at AlvernaBhavanfrom 9.00am -12.30pm followed by
Confession and Mass. Lunch was served after the Mass.
The
retreat was conducted by Fr. Maran SDB. The priests who helped in confession
and for the Mass were Fr.Simine Fernandez OSST, Fr. Xavier OSST, Fr. Thomai SDB.
The FHC children made their first formal confession.
First Holy Communion for the year 2016 was on November 20,
2016 on the feast of Christ the King.
Fr.
Simine Fernandez OSST was the main celebrant along with our Parish Priest Fr.
Arun SJ and our Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Antony Lawrence SJ.
Catechism
Children actively took part in Mission Sunday activities. They sold raffle
tickets and put up stalls of food and games.
The
Catechism Day and Christmas tree was celebrated on December 10. Every class
presented their learning for the year. The deserving students who performed
well in the classes, who were regular in attendance were awarded and
certificates were distributed by our Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Antony Lawrence.
PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION – COMMENCED IN
NOVEMBER 2016 BY DOMINIC A P
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Children received the sacrament of Confirmation by Most Rev Arch Bishop Bernard
Moras on January 8, 2017. Confessions and Holy Hour with a half a day retreat
for all the children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation and their
parents was conducted at Mount St. Joseph on January 7, 2017. Fr. John Mendonca
SJ, Fr. William Sequeira SJ, Fr. Freddy SJ helped in the Confessions.