Theme: “You Did Not Choose Me

On 7 February 2026, catechists from the Church of St. Joseph and the Church of the Risen Christ gathered at the Formation House for a joint Catechist Formation Programme themed “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” The programme sought to renew the catechists’ sense of calling, deepen their understanding of their ministry, and strengthen their teaching practice.

The programme opened with a welcome by Fr. Frederick, who reminded catechists that their service is a response to God’s personal call. He expressed appreciation for their commitment to forming young hearts and emphasised the importance of using the Malaysian Catechetical Series (MCS) approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia. Catechists were encouraged to teach faithfully the story of Jesus and the teachings of the Church with seriousness and perseverance.

An ice-breaking session led by Tr. Juliana followed, using the “Pass the Message” (Broken Telephone) activity to highlight the importance of clarity and faithfulness when communicating the Word of God. This set a reflective tone for the day.

The next session was conducted by Bro. Richard Ganesh, who reflected on the role of the catechist as one who keeps the memory of God alive within themselves so that it may be awakened in others. He guided participants through reflections on the spirituality of the catechist and the responsibility of teaching as Jesus taught, with intention, love, and purpose.

This theme continued in the Digital Tools, Divine Purpose session led by Sis. Juliana, who encouraged catechists to discern and plan their lessons before turning to technology. She introduced simple digital tools to help reduce administrative work, allowing catechists to focus more deeply on what, how, and why they teach.

The final session on pedagogy was facilitated by Sis. Jane, who animated the session in a classroom-style setting and shared practical approaches to engage students more effectively. Feedback from participants was positive, with many valuing the opportunity for collaboration. Several also expressed that the sessions felt too short and hoped for follow-up, hands-on training in the future.
The day concluded with time for reflection and fellowship. Overall, the formation served as a meaningful reminder of the sacred responsibility entrusted to catechists and the ongoing need to grow in faith, commitment, and competence in their ministry.

By Julianna Philip

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