Report on the Activities of the Catechetical Cell of Holy Family Church for the year (2024-25)

The Catechetical Cell of Holy Family Church successfully organized and conducted various activities throughout the catechetical year 2024-2025, focusing on faith formation, spiritual enrichment, and community engagement under the able leadership and guidance of Rev. Fr. Caetano Fernandes and Rev. Fr. Boris Dias.

The members of the Executive Committee were:

• Rev. Fr. Caetano Fernandes ( Parish Priest)
• Rev. Fr. Boris Dias ( Spiritual Advisor & Animator)
• Ms. Iona Siqueira (Coordinator)
• Ms. Michelle Coutinho (Vice-Coordinator)
• Ms. Christabelle Lobo (Secretary)
• Ms. Vinita Cordeiro (Treasurer)

Catechism classes for the year 2024-25 began on 2nd June 2024. This year we had 350 children registered for catechism, with classes from grade 1 to grade 9 and 23 catechists serving the catechetical cell.

The Catechetical Inaugural Mass was celebrated on 9th June 2024, marking the formal beginning of the catechetical year followed by a meeting with parents to give an insight on the guidelines for catechism.

  • A Catechists’ Training Course with the aim of providing our catechists the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively impart religious education within the parish community was held for five consecutive Tuesdays starting 2nd July, conducted by Rev. Fr. Marcelin Rodrigues- Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Old Goa. Participants received certificates upon completion of this course.
  • World day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on 28th July 2024 with a special Mass at 9.30 am followed by a short fellowship program for them. The celebration was filled with moments of warmth, joy and togetherness.
  • Pastor’s Day on 4th August 2024 was celebrated to honor our priests for their dedication and service.
  • Novenas for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady were organized by catechists, catechism children, youth, and legionaries. The themes for each Novena focused on the Beatitudes. Each class catechists presented a short video on the day’s theme in which the children enacted.

The Bible Fiesta, a major catechetical event was held on 24th November 2024 under the theme ‘Go Proclaim the Good News’, presenting the four types of miracles of Jesus through song , dance and enactments. To help prepare for this event, Rev. Fr. Mariano D’Costa had given the catechists an enlightening session on the topic Types of Miracles in the Bible on 2nd June ‘24. 150 children participated in this event. The event was graced by: Rev. Fr. Marcelin Rodrigues, Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Old Goa (Chief Guest) and Rev. Fr. Francisco Fernandes, ACAZ Animator of the Mapusa Deanery (Guest of Honour)

  • On 12th January 2025, 43 children received. . They were trained by Catechists Rebecca Nunes, Wayne Baretto. Ansel Fernandes and Vincenta Lobo.
  • A day of perpetual adoration of the blessed sacrament in our Parish, was observed on 2nd Feb 25. A special adoration service for children was organized following the 9:30 AM Mass.

External programs

  • The D.C.C. together with the exposition committee organised The All Goa Quiz Competition, which focused on the theme of saints. It began at the Parish Level Quiz on 21st July 2024. Deanne Viegas and Rheann Gama, children of our parish, advanced to the finals and secured 4th place.

To mark catechetical day celebration in our Archdiocese on 2nd February 25, The Rachol Seminary organized a program THE QUEST in which 7 Catechism children and 3 catechists of our Parish participated as mentioned below

  • Liturgical Stole Designing Competition – 1st place secured by Christina Calderia and Evelyn Rodrigues
  • Treasure Hunt – participants Kayden Rodrigues and catechists Wayne Baretto
  • Konkani Storytelling – participants Valencia Fernandes and Jovi Fernandes
  • Quiz – 3rd place secured by Nathan Gama and Nigel Gama

DCC programs for Catechists

  • Our catechists attended the orientation session for catechists of Mapusa Deanery held on 14th July at Candelaria Chapel-Porvorim and a seminar for catechists conducted at St. Mary’s School, Mapusa on 28th July 2024.

Our catechists participated in Bhavarth Porgottumia, a faith formation , held by the DCC at Old Goa on 10th November. Catechists presented a Hymn, Durboll Otmeak Ghottai. ( Lyrics by Catechists Aloma and Michelle & Music by Mr. Edgar & Ms. Elaine.

Children’s special contribution

  • The Cherubs (Children’s Choir of Holy Family Parish) trained by Ms. Elaine D’ Costa sing at the 9:30 AM Mass every Sunday with their melodious voices.
  • The Altar Servers Association, comprising 66 children, render their service during various parish Masses.

Catechism children served as Altar servers and angels for – The opening ceremony of the Exposition of the Relics of St. Francis Xavier and for the service of the Pilgrim Cross, Novenas, and Feast of the Holy Family.

Deanery-Level Representation

  • Catechists Abigail and Andrea represented the catechetical cell at Jezus Zomat meetings held quarterly at the deanery level.
  • Ms. Iona Siqueira serves as a lay member of ACAZ.

The catechetical year 2024 – 2025 was filled with fruitful and enriching activities that fostered the spiritual growth of our children.