Creative Catechesis

‘Creative Catechesis’ was a much-anticipated workshop for us catechists. The session, conducted by the innovative and resourceful Fr. Magi Murzello along with Mr. John Curtis and Ms. Alice D’Souza, took place on 28 October 2022 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bandra.

While Fr. Magi explained how we could develop initiatives through research and brain-warming, John and Alice shared various projects they had undertaken in their Parish of St. Andrew. Each project was unique, well researched and carefully thought through before execution. It also had a purpose (show appreciation, catechise, educate), a target audience (religious sisters, daughters, doctors, caregivers, children) and a theme. Basis the theme, invitations and costumes would be designed, ambience created, resource people invited, and audience made to feel special. Some activities shared were the annual Yeh-lo Santa initiatives (Christmas), nativity novena passports (Feast of Our Lady of the Mount), Trip to the Caribbean (World Day of the Consecrated), pilgrimage to various cribs in the area. Ideas should not be excluded because one felt they were unfeasible or unaffordable. Creativity could bring an idea alive and make a huge difference.

Fr. Magi also explained that catechesis needed to extend beyond the classroom. Children need to be connected to nature to really care about it and work towards saving it. This can be done only through outdoor activities in which they connect with nature. We could start by having outdoor sessions once a month or give them plants or saplings for which they are accountable. The session ended with activities like understanding green initiatives across various parishes, the paper ball game to help understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and skits on how to save the earth. All in all, it was a thought provoking, creative and fun-filled session.