BIS #1905 SHARING THE FAITH

Louella Braganza
VIRAR, JULY 5, 2010: July 3, 2010 witnessed fifteen Catechism Teachers of the Resurrection parish renewing their pledge as catechists for the year 2010-2011 during the Eucharist. The commissioning ceremony began with the solemn entrance procession with each catechist holding a lit lamp accompanied by a child with an unlit lamp. The child's unlit lamp was only lit from the Catechist's lamp after the entrance procession. This symbolized the spiritual enlightenment which would be transferred to the child in the process of teaching the Faith. The lamps were then placed at the foot of the altar.

The commissioning ceremony is held on the first Sunday of July every year. The Parish Priest Fr. Blany Pinto extended his support and requested the assembled community to do the same. He thanked the teachers profusely for their dedicated service. He emphasized that the parents are the primary religious educators of the child.
Just before the concluding prayer, one of the Catechists prayed on behalf of all the teachers thanking God for calling them to this ministry - the noble ministry of sharing their faith with the children. The ceremony closed with a final blessing by the Parish Priest and the congregation praying over by the catechist with their extended hands.