Head catechists from all parishes of Kabale Diocese have today, Friday, November 8, 2024 concluded a one day seminar at Rushoroza Pastoral Centre meant to empower them for their apostolate.
While giving his closing remarks, pastoral coordinator, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana expressed appreciation to the catechists for their dedicated work done in parishes especially in the teaching of catechism, and supporting priests in their apostolate. He said that Pope Francis recognized and elevated the vocation of catechists to the level of a ministry. Fr. Fidel also shared a package on the Jubilee Year 2025 with head catechists and reminded them that catechists are at the forefront in making Christians know more about the Jubilee Year. He said that after the Pope has launched the Jubilee Year officially on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2024), then Bishop Callist Rubaramira will also launch the Jubilee Year in Kabale Diocese, at a date to be communicated.
Mr. Raymond Ariho, the organizing secretary in the office of Liturgy and Catechesis commission said that catechists should be result oriented and that they should always examine themselves and have a flexible approach. He also advised head catechists to form an association for easy coordination, evaluation and administration.
Fr. Placid Mugumya, Bishop’s secretary outlined the different qualities of a good catechist. He said a good catechist is gentle, exemplary, morally upright and does not scandalize the people he/she lead. He or she should have listening skills and the Christians should be able to confide in him/her.
There are some catechists who have forgotten the virtue of prayer. You can’t do things of God if you are not with God. Have time for God especially in personal prayer and visit to the Blessed Sacrament – Fr. Placid Mugumya.
He urged head catechists to work together with parish priests to organize seminars and workshops for all catechists in parishes so that they too can be reminded of their rights and duties. Fr. Placid also reminded catechists to mind about their health and personal administration. He also urged them to be hard working and set some side projects for personal growth and not focus on the offertory for a living. “As you serve, also think about personal finance (saving culture) and how the family will survive after your retirement,” said Fr. Placid.
He urged catechists to instill morals into their children and educate them so that as they grow up, they grow with morality because they have somebody to look up to. They were also reminded that during the synod of 2014, a resolution was passed that no alcohol should be served at Catholic functions. This was to instill discipline.
Mr. Willy Turyahikahe, Assistant Diocesan Education Secretary, and Diocesan inspector of schools reminded head catechists that all Catholic founded primary schools must have time allocated for the teaching catechism and that Hiika catechists must supervise them and give report to priest in charge of schools in their parishes. He reminded them that all head teachers of Catholic founded schools are members of parish councils and should attend council meetings.
Mr. Willy urged catechists to liaise with priests in charge of schools to help catholic teachers to form associations on the parish level so that teachers can have one voice. He said that school management committees of schools should be active and functional with a term of office of three years which is renewable only once.
He said that in order to promote Catholic faith in our schools, each school should have a sign post, Vatican flag, a crucifix in each class, a Catholic Bible, pictures of the Pope and the Bishop, have a ‘Christian- talking’ compound, have lay apostolate movements, catechism classes and above all have time for the celebration of the word of God with their catechist.
Director for Liturgy and Catechesis for Kabale Diocese, Fr Austen Christmas said that the purpose of seminars serves as reminders. He advised the head Catechists to always be organized in their work, and always give a report to the parish priests in form of accountability. He made some reminders that should be borne in mind during liturgy: kneeling during consecration. This stems from the Diocesan synod which was held in 2014 under the theme “re-awakening our Catholic identity and Commitment”. Therefore, we are reminding ourselves to be uniform, smart and orderly.
Liturgy becomes meaningful when there is uniformity. Therefore, liturgical gestures, signs and symbols should be used and applied in liturgy appropriately. You can’t ask for forgiveness while pocketing – Fr. Austen Christmas.