5th Mindanao Region Catechists’ Convention

Interview with Diocesan Catechetical Formation Center Director of the Diocese of Digos Fr. Rico Dingal
Q: Are you happy with the outcome of all your concentrated effort in putting up the Catechetical Convention in your Diocese?
Fr. Rico: Yes I am very much contented, because our priest headed by our Bishop Guillermo D. Afable, D.D. was very cooperative and most especially the foster parents who hosted our visitor participants from different parts of Mindanao.
Q: How did you find the program of the three-day convention?
Fr. Rico: I seemed to notice that the program we prepared was well followed and therefore, it was very relaxing, since we saw to it, that the pacing should be well timed, so that we will not run out of time.
Q: How’s your budget for the Convention?
Fr. Rico: The budget was just enough, because some parishes were generous enough to fill up what was lacking by sharing what they have in kind and in cash. Aside from the participants’ registration fee, the Bishops of the Dioceses also gave their share for its success.
Q: The venue is very new and beautiful, how did you come up with its renovation on time for the convention?
Fr. Rico: Our Bishop Most Reverend Guillermo D. Afable, D.D. tried his best to really prepare this Fatima Center, since the designated Diocese, asked to dispense them at this moment for they have no venue for the convention.

Interview with member of the Mindanao Region Catechists’ Convention secretariat Lilibeth Salutillo
Q: When you send the invition to the Dioceses for this Convention, how did you find their response?
Lilibeth: We noticed their eagerness to participate in this convention, through their immediate response, but the giving of the names of the delegates, took time. We needed the names and gender as immediately because we had to prepare their foster parents who will accommodate their place for sleeping by meeting them and giving them instructions as to how they should welcome them.
Q: Why are the foster parents important in this convention?
Lilibeth: The participants do not just stay with their foster hosts, but also within their Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC). In there, they will have a welcome night, wherein the participants will be entertained and be given some information about what’s happening in their communities.
Q: Were the participants contented and happy during the celebrations at BEC?
Lilibeth: Yes they were very happy. Some even were grateful to have a very good and kind foster hosts for their stay in Digos City.

Geneva Peñas, Tawi-tawi, Jolo participant
Q: Is this the first time you attended a Catechist’s Convention?
Geneva: Yes, this is my first time, but I have been in so many seminars on catechesis.
Q: Are you happy to be a participant of this convention?
Geneva: Yes I am very happy, because many things were clarified about being a catechist by the speakers, particularly by Sr. Stella Llerin, OND.
Q: Is there a very important aspect of being a catechist that touched you during the talk?
Geneva: Yes, the truth about being a catechist: a catechist should experience the message. Should let it enter into our hearts. Should let it be felt into the hearts of the children or the recipients of the message. Sinati-on, Bation ug Ipabati!
Q: Are you happy to be with your foster host?
Geneva: Yes, we had a very unique experience with them. The BEC members were also very entertaining and joyful.

(Sr. Rica Dalaguit, fsp)