Volunteer Catechists: First Quarterly Assembly

By Odette Leon

July 28, 2012

The Volunteer Catechists Commission started its formation program for school year 2012-2013 during the first CFAM volunteer catechists assembly held last July 28, 2012 at the Jaime Cardinal Sin Auditorium, Paco Catholic School, Manila. The formation program for this school year aims to assist volunteers catechists in the difficulties encountered during the tests on Doctrine, Morals, Worship and Scriptures given last school year.

The whole-day assembly started with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Morning Praise. Immediately after, the masters of ceremonies Malou Celada (Manila Volunteer Catechist Coordinator) and Malou Mariazeta (Cubao Volunteer Catechist Coordinator) led the participants in welcoming Sir Art Barbadillo as the newly appointed Ministry Assistant in the Volunteer Catechists Commission to work with Sir Ed Frando in the same capacity.

The highlight of the assembly was Fr. Bong Gino’s input.  As an introduction, Fr Bong gave a brief backgrounder on the history, structure and significance of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church  (CCC) – the official text of  the teachings of the Catholic Church approved in 1992 by Pope John Paul II as an output of the Synod of Bishops held in 1985.  

For the major topic, he explained the principles of the doctrines on Original Sin, Incarnation and Resurrection – the three topics with the highest record of frequency of errors during last year’s test on doctrine.  For the doctrine on  Resurrection, Fr. Bong presented a comparative exposition of the Scriptural sources of the principles of Resurrection based  on the Gospels of Sts. Matthew, John and Luke.  He noted that the selection of the Scriptural source to be used in catechesis is significant because  the three Gospels have three different themes. 

For St. Matthew,  Resurrection is an experience of forgiveness and the power of God’s hope on us.  “Forever Emmanuel” – God with us.  “I am with you always till the end of age.”  (Matt  28:20)

For St. John, Resurrection is an “event of love” – For the “Beloved Disciple” the empty tomb was more than enough sign for him to believe even before he saw the Risen Christ.  Love heightens the ability to see and believe.  Where there is love, we believe.  Because of love, we believe. 

For St. Luke, it is a "fresh start".  The risen Christ gathered the disciples in Galilee - the birth place of their "love story". Despite their infidelity (abandonment and crucifixion), Jesus did not give up on them.  For Jesus, not everything was lost. He was willing to give their “love story” a second chance -- which they did during the 40 days they were together before Jesus ascended into heaven.  

In the afternoon, Dr. Romel Gloria, M.D. gave a talk on health, wellness and beauty giving tips on how to prevent diseases, avoid expensive doctor consultations, medications and medical procedures. 

The whole-day formation culminated with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Msgr.  Gerry Santos.  In his homily, Msgr.  Gerry expressed his appreciation for the strong show of willingness of volunteer catechists to undergo formation – the  importance of  which he again emphasized as he always does during on-going-formation activities.  He also cited the important events of the year 2012, the most significant of which for us Filipinos is the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calunsod, a youthful missionary catechist – the second Filipino catechist saint.