by BIS Correspondent
KUWAIT, DEC 5, 2017: Over a hundred catechists from the parishes of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church in Salmiya and St. Daniel Comboni, Abassiya attended the 
General Catechists Course held on November 25, December 1 and 2 in Kuwait.
Father Franco Pereira, Catechetical Director for the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, invited Dr Father Gilbert Choondal to conduct the course. Father Choondal holds a PhD in Catechetics and Youth Ministry from the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. He is a professor at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore, India and is presently the President of the Indian Catechetical Association.
During the orientation session on the first day of the course, Father Choondal spoke about the vocation of a catechist. He said that mere knowledge of the faith is not enough, adding that the catechetics must believe what they teach and teach what they believe.
He said that classes conducted just verbally without the use of any visual aids could be boring and ineffective in the long run, adding, children learn better when they do and learn. Father encouraged those present to use lively creative methods, media, projects, visuals, songs, art, magic, games and riddles.
Gracy Rodrigues, a catechist, speaking on her impressions said, "Father Gilbert brought home to me the fact that catechesis is a mission and I as a catechist, am especially chosen by God to facilitate the knowledge of faith to His children."
On the second day, Father Choondal spoke about sacred icons, their origin, their meaning and how to use them in catechesis. He touched upon the methods of communicating the faith in catechesis. He emphasised the use of media, the role of audio and visual aids, group activities, creative writing, drawing, memorisation, liturgical activities, missionary activities and many more.
"All the sessions were very educative, magical and fun. The most impressive part was using a simple tool like craft to catechise the children. Being a teacher of class two, I'm sure the little kids in my class will love these show and learn ideas and will help them take the right message home," Janice D'Souza, another catechist, said.
Using Pope Francis' Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, for the concluding session on the family, Father Choondal shared 10 ways in which catechists can become pastoral animators in family ministries. He encouraged them to faithfully practice the 10 tips for catholic families drawn from Amoris Laetitia, so that families can be strengthened and grow in love for God and each other.
Father Choondal ended by saying that the most important dimension in catechesis is not the method but the catechist!