Melissa Mascarenhas
KUWAIT, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011: Annually, the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia conducts a seminar for the Catechists (a three year cycle). Although it is mainly for the fresh catechists, yet those who have spent years teaching catechism also attend it to refresh themselves. At the end of the seminar, the participants receive a certificate from the Catechetical Moderator and the Bishop which is a requirement to teach catechism.
Fr. Franco Pereira sdb, who heads the catechetical ministry of the Vicariate, organizes the seminar annually. The seminar is spread over nine weeks beginning from September 24. The catechists meet every Saturday in the evening for two hours at the Holy Family Cathedral. There are hundred and sixteen participants from the four parishes in Kuwait and thirty six from St. Therese’s parish, Salmiya.
The main content of the final (third year) seminar includes: The new Roman Missal, the Gospels of Mathew and John, Mass Animation, Basic Christian Communities, Educational System, Psychology of the Child and Youcat.
The first day centered on “The New Roman Missal”. Fr. Pereira shed light on how the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our Christian Life. He made the participants aware of the changes introduced in the new liturgy and enlightened all with his constant references to the scriptures, theology and history. He took great pains to explain how these words, gestures, signs and symbols used during this Sacred Mystery of our Faith, will ‘deepen our faith, nurture hope and celebrate life’.
All in all, the seminar was very fruitful and each participant thanked God for giving them the opportunity to attend the seminar and thanked Fr. Pereira for organizing it.