Intensive Course on Organisation and Administration of Catechetical Ministry Convenes in Goa

Benaulim, June 10, 2025: An intensive course focused on the ‘Organisation and Administration of Catechetical Ministry’ is currently underway from June 9 to 14 at Shanti Sadan, the CCBI center in Goa. The course was inaugurated with a Eucharistic celebration on June 10 was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, President of the CCBI. This program is specifically designed for diocesan directors, secretaries, and parish catechetical collaborators.

Cardinal Ferrao emphasised the importance of a synodal approach to faith formation, aligning with the XXXVI CCBI Plenary Assembly 2025's final document on "discerning synodal pathways in faith formation." He highlighted how both the Synod's and CCBI's final documents reflect on faith formation through a synodal lens.

Following the celebration, Cardinal Ferrao released "Dominic Savio: A Faith Influencer for All Time," a new book by Salesian author and educator Fr. Dr. Gilbert Choondal of the Bangalore Province.

This comprehensive course is a collaborative effort between the CCBI Faith Formation Commission and Fr. Duming Gonsalves, Administrator of Shanti Sadan. Its primary objective is to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively organize and administer catechetical ministry within their respective dioceses and provinces.

The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including:

• Synodal approaches in Catechetics
• Organisation of Catechetics at different levels
• Age-level catechesis: focusing on infants, children, adolescents, youth, adults, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities
• Sacramental Catechesis
• First Holy Communion and Confirmation catechesis
• Family and adult catechesis
• Utilising AI tools in catechesis
• YOUCAT and youth catechesishe program combines both theoretical and practical sessions. 

The resource persons for the course include Fr. Vijay Machado, Fr. Dinesh SDB, Rev. Dr. Gilbert Choondal, Fr. Vincent Dcruz, Fr. Anil Fernandes, and their team.

The course has attracted 32 participants from various parts of India and other regions. A catechetical pilgrimage is also part of the program.

Fr. Vijay Machado

Executive Secretary, CCBI Commission for Faith Formation