Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 24: Catechism Day was celebrated on Sunday March 21 at Most Holy Redeemer Church Derebail, here. The day commenced with a Eucharistic celebration led by Socius Priest and catechism mentor, Fr Gerald Pinto along with catechism teachers, children, parents and parishioners. The liturgy was led by the children of the parish. The children's choir added to the solemnity of the service. In his homily, Fr Gerald Pinto cited the importance of catechism in moulding the lives of the children. He elucidated on the theme assigned by the diocese - Respect the Human Life - Fruit of Catechism. He congratulated the students and the catechist team for the effort put by them to serve the Lord despite the testing times of the pandemic situation.
Unlike the previous years, Catechism Day was celebrated in the church with utmost simplicity, respecting the COVID-19 norms prescribed by the government. After the holy mass, Catechism coordinator Edward Coelho gave an introduction on how the catechism classes were able to continue with a good number of children that signified the power of the church and able guidance of the parish priest, Fr Austin Peres along with the catechist team, children and the parents. He then extended a warm welcome to all those who were present for the celebration. Fr Austin Peres then distributed flower saplings as a memento to the teachers. Fr Austin Peres, Fr Gerald Pinto, Parish Pastoral Parishad vice-president Sheela D'Souza, PPP secretary Gaulbert Pais and coordinator Edward Coelho were the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Gaulbert Pais in his address congratulated and explained the meaning and need of Catechism. Sheela D'Souza in her address greeted and highlighted the role that parents played in enabling the parish to carry out the Catechism classes systematically. Fr Austin Peres, the director of Catechism Mission appreciated the children, teachers and parents of the parish for their dedicated interest in helping the children grow in the Catholic faith through Catechism. It was indeed a moment of pride for all parents, teachers and children to have received these words of encouragement and appreciation from the parish priest. Fr Austin thanked those who worked towards the success of both the Catechism classes and Catechism day. Children who had excelled in the Catechism exam and had 100 percent of attendance were rewarded with prizes. The Catechism teacher Dora D'Cunha proposed the vote of thanks. Student of X Std, Lenn Sequeira compered the programme which ended with a hymn. Toward the end, ice cream was distributed to the children and parents present.