Archdiocesan Catechetical Day 2009 Held

Notwithstanding the typhoon season, 899 volunteer faith-educators gathered and celebrated the Archdiocesan Catechists' Day (ACD) last September 28, the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila - their patron Saint.

Many of them were in their late years but this was not a factor at all as catechists came in droves to shout their battle cry "Katekista Para sa Banwaan" (Catechist for the Country/Society). Affirming their role in

The theme of the catechetical month, "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Catechists," reflected the catechists' role in transforming society through their apostolate in which they teach the Christian faith and make it alive by the witness of their lives. Religion teachers are to draw their strength and inspiration from Jesus, the very person whom the entire catechetical enterprise leads to.

The Holy Mass opened the whole day affair officiated by the rector himself of the Peñafrancia Basilica, Msgr. Romulo A. Vergara.

Several rites had been incorporated in the Eucharistic banquet: a) the Conferment of Apostolic Mission to nine catechists who passed the required procedure; b) the Caceres Catechetical Ministry Annual Awards (CCMAA) for the 147 catechists who were blessed to reach 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years as teachers of the faith; c) the Launching of the Catechists' Livelihood Program (CLP) which was intended to augment the income of those engaged in catechesis; and d) the formal introduction of the Songbook for Catechists that can be used in parochial and academic settings.

At the end of the Mass, the catechists proceeded to the Peñafrancia Basilica Pavilion to highlight their social duty by letting go of more than a hundred balloons and proclaiming, at the top of their voice, their "corporate responsibility to society."

Later the participants dispersed momentarily at 11 o'clock in the morning for the Catechists' Medical Mission that gave those involved in catechesis a chance to be checked physically so that they can be more effective in faith instructions. This part of the ACD, which catered to three services - medical, dental and optical, was done in partnership with the Naga College Foundation Nursing and Health Services Department and Center for Social Responsibility, the Rotary Club of Naga, and the 9th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

While this was going on, there was a video presentation featuring the activities of the Philippine Army that illustrated to the catechists a form of doing service to the nation. This was followed by the Cultural Presentation which featured the talents of catechists, the Singing Priests of Caceres, and the Naga College Foundation Center for Arts, Culture and Bicol Studies.