Dear Catechism Teachers, Parents and Children,
Sunday school is the heart of our parish ministry. Catechism teachers and parents are helping our children to "grow up" in an active faith through the catechism classes and also faith education at home. As inspiring instruments, you have integrated directly in the parish ministry in bringing our kids up in their personal faith and reflecting the very image of God in them.
This Sunday we celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme: "Be Courageous, I Have Conquered the World," (Jn 16:33).
On this Catechetical Sunday first and foremost, I would like to thank all the Sunday school teachers who have given their precious time to educate our catechism children in their faith education and moral life as well. You are helping our catechism them to grow in steadfast faith and fostering children to be deeply rooted in Christ and its message of love.
The Church realises the challenges that you face in helping them to overcome hatred in their families and communities and building bridges with love, forgiveness and authentic friendship with each other. You too have been encouraging them through your teaching on Sundays to promote justice, peace, harmony, and better understanding with people of other faiths through inter-religious dialogue and cultural understanding.
Parents, you are the spiritual leaders in your home. Parents, you are the first and primary educators of faith for your child. You have a great role and commitment in the upbringing of your kids spiritually and morally. You have taken great interest till today by sending your kids without fail for Sunday School. Despite all your hectic schedules in your family life, you have tried your very best to make sure your kids go for Sunday class. I believe you are not sending your kids just to achieve the "spiritual graduation" - receiving the sacraments. The important criteria is to help our kids live more religiously and morally in their attitude and grow in the fear of the Lord.
To my dearest catechism children, do you know that Jesus loves children very much, (cf Matthew 18:2-5). I always admire your great desire in being present every Sunday and you try your very best not to miss any of your class and activity or camp. I do understand you have plenty of home work to catch up on and tuition classes to attend. In spite of these you still have the desire and interest to be present in the class. At times your Catechism class may seem boring and the topics are not relevant to you. At time your teachers are not up to your level of thinking. Do you know that most of the greatest wisdom and insights often come from you and not even from your teachers and parents?
Let us not judge those parents who are not making an effort to send their kids for religious and moral studies every weekend. Let us pray for them so that one day they may realise the great efforts and concern that the Church takes upon their children. The Church hopes that you will be excited to see your sons and daughters embracing his/her faith and celebrate this God-given faith life in a more dynamic way.
Parents and teachers, we need to model authenticity with our catechism children. Our faith needs to be real to our parish and family. Let us help our children “grow up” in an active faith. My prayer for all of us on this catechetical Sunday is that God will offend our minds in order to get to our hearts.
Title of Song: Children of God
(hymn book: Sing Your Praise to God - pg B18)
1. We are children of the Lord,
Gathered here to pray together,
We are one within His love,
This we know we’re certain of.
2. Father, hear the song we sing,
As we bring our world before you,
Soon your word will sow the seed,
Sow your strength within our need.
3. Sing, O children to the Lord,
All the world is hushed and waiting,
As we lift our hearts above,
Simply living in His love.
Happy Catechetical Sunday to my dear teachers, parents and students.
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