Isaiah 49:1-6

THE STORY OF MY LIFE...


Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.”
5 And now the LORD says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am[a] honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength—
6 he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

DEANERY ASSISTANT

Yesterday during the first catechists meeting for 2016-17, I was made the Deanery Assistant. To understand the role better, I am trying to research about it. I have found out only the definition of deanery – it means: a subdivision of a diocese, consisting of a number of parishes, over which presides a dean appointed by a bishop. The duty of the dean is to watch over the clergy of the deanery, to see that they fulfil the orders of the bishop, and observe the liturgical and canon laws. He summons the conference of the deanery and presides at it. Periodically he makes a report to the bishop on conditions in the deanery.

I didn’t understand anything else.

Role of a baptized Catholic

Yesterday again it was a well spent Sunday with the Lord.

In the morning, during the 8:15 am Eucharistic Celebration, there was commissioning and blessing of all the SCC (Small Christian Community) animators by Bishop Agnelo Gracias. This was followed by an orientation programme. This is my sixth year as an animator and I will be serving my second term as a PPC member till 2019.

Again in the evening at 5:00 pm there was an Eucharistic Adoration for all Sunday School catechists which was followed by a meeting and fellowship meal. I was given the role of a Deanery Assistant.

The one point that I brought back home from both these events is that a baptized Catholic is supposed to be doing two things – one, keep the community together and spread the Word of God. Our parish priest Fr. Melvin harped on these two points. I am glad I am doing both these. As an animator and PPC member, I am keeping St.Bonaventure community together and serving the families in our community. Secondly, I am spreading the Word of God as a catechist. So I am glad I have understood what God expects from me and able to work in His vineyard according to His wonderful plans.

I just need to be in good health to carry out all these work. I just pray that my fibroids pain doesn’t bother me much and am able to keep myself active. I ask Jesus, the greatest Healer, to heal me of my fibroids so that I don’t bogged down by the pain which I am going through from the last three days.

Joy of being a catechist

2016-17 marks the fifth year of my life as a catechist. I know people hesitate to become a catechist, but I had always been sure of becoming one. Right from day one, my kids have been regular Sunday school goers. They never threw tantrums to not attend Sunday school (SS) though they cried to wake up early on Sunday mornings too. But once up, they would be charged up. While they attended SS, we attended Mass. At the end of it all, they would always return brimming with joy. This made me wonder what they did at SS. So while I was undergoing my Bible Study course, it became the desire of my heart to be a part of SS too. And though a novice, soon I was absorbed into the team of stalwarts.

At this time of the year, I am always overflowing with enthusiasm though teaching kids about faith is a daunting prospect. But I am glad that I decided to become a catechist. By doing so, I have answered God's call, the call of my baptism. This decision has enriched my life.

When you volunteer to be a catechist you must take it seriously, it is not a job to be taken lightly. The best part of being a catechist is helping kids/teens see how relevant Jesus really is. Friends often ask me what is so great about being a catechist. I guess it’s great to share my faith with children. Being a catechist is an experience of being entrusted with the responsibility and honour of presenting the message of our Lord, Jesus Christ and His church. The call to the ministry of catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit – a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage and joy.

Pope Francis, in his address at the International Congress on Catechesis in 2013, said: “Catechesis is a vocation”. Being a catechist brings joy. Okay, so sometimes it's not ecstasy trying to teach a group of kids about morals when they would rather be sleeping on a Sunday morning. I think one of the best reasons to become a catechist is it puts a smile. The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and it is one of the few good reasons I feel alive. There are so many blessings that come from being a catechist. I have not only grown in my knowledge of faith but joy as well.

So as the New Year begins, the most important quality that I would like to possess as a catechist is a tangible love of Christ and the joy of being able to give a witness to it rather than just teach information. I feel privileged to spread the joy and beauty of the Faith to the students entrusted to me.