Who are we

We are a team of about 25 catechists and assistant catechists responding to God’s call to instruct about 210 children and youth each weekend. We respond to God’s call, where we facilitate and nurture our children and youth’s experience of Christ’s love through:

• Developing a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus 

• Promoting knowledge of our faith, guiding our children and youth to pray and discern God’s will in their lives

• Serving as good Christian role models to inspire them to live out the tenets of the faith with conviction and joy

• Journeying with them so as to form them to be a community of disciples with a sense of belonging to our parish community

• Be a vibrant catechetical community and missionary disciples of Christ, where we grow and deepen our personal faith journey and as a Christ-centered community

• Bring 210 hearts to know, love and follow Christ, and create safe spaces for them to feel loved by Christ, and 

• Work with other ministries to grow the next generation and integrate them into our Parish community life

Our catechetical programme is aimed to guide young people to nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church, and we seek to initiate the young person into the entire Christian life, which culminates in their participation in community and mission. It is for children starting at age 6 (Kindergarten 2) to age 16 (Secondary 4). 

Catechetical sessions are conducted during the weekends (excluding, March, June, Sept and December school holidays) at the following timings:

• Sundays 9.30am – 11am: Foundation 3 to Level 6 (i.e. Primary 1 to Primary 6) 

• Saturdays 3.30pm – 5pm: Level 7 to Level 10 (i.e. Secondary levels)

Each year, the catechetical ministry will plan and organise retreats for the different levels to deepen the young person's faith formation experience and personal encounter with Jesus. These include:

• First Holy Communion Retreat held for Level 3 (Primary 3)

• Level 7 & 8 Combined Retreat - usually in June school holidays

• Level 9 Pre-Confirmation Retreat - usually in end Nov school holidays

• Level 10 Confirmation Retreat - usually in March school holidays
  
  

We always welcome parents support and volunteers to step forward to be part of Retreat Service Team support for logistics, prayer, games, etc., so as to enable the successful retreat experience for all.

Criteria to join the Ministry 

• Be Baptised & Confirmed (received the sacrament of confirmation) Catholics 

• Be 19 years and above (for those below 19, they will start as catechetical trainees)

• Be practising Catholics regularly receiving the Sacraments 

• Be in full communion with the Church, lifestyle should bear witness to teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church

• Enjoy working with children and youth

• Not have any criminal record pertaining to any nature of sexual assault, indecency, etc.

• For Catechists and Assistant Catechists: Have completed at least the Introduction to Catechetical Pedagogy and Catechetical Methods (ICP & CM) course or Parish Team Training; or will do so before beginning to catechise or facilitate in sessions

• For Catechists and Assistant Catechists: Be committed to work towards obtaining diocesan certification within first 3 years

• For Facilitators: Be committed to completed the OFC listening and facilitate workshops 

Qualities of Catechists, Assistant Catechists, Junior Catechists & Facilitators

• Desire to grow deeper in your faith & spirituality

• Willing to be trained in the craft of catechesis

• Interested in working with young people and fellow catechists

• Teachable, patient, caring, prayerful, respectful of the young person, accepting

• Have a heart to listen and serve the young people