Catechists thrive if bishops, priests have hearts for catechists

“Dumadami ang katekista pag ang obispo at pari ay ay pusong katekista.”

This has been a sentiment of a catechist, according to the expert who presented the result of the survey among catechists in the entire country.

In his presentation held during the gathering of catechists from the entire Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati (DADITAMA) ecclesiastical subregion, September 22, Dr. Clarence M. Batan said that support from the hierarchy is one of the factors that make catechists effective.

Aside from that, topping the list is supportive family members and seconded by supportive co-catechists.

During the presentation, it was noted that most of the catechists serving in the parishes do not receive enough compensation for their services as they are volunteer catechists.

The compensation usually comes in the form of fare and budget for their teaching materials when they go to the schools for their catechetical lessons.

Batan said that hopefully, budget for catechists will be included in the planning of the parish yearly.

“Hindi matatawaran ang panaho at sakripisyo na inyong binibigay,” he said.

HINDRANCES

Catechists encounter hindrances in their teaching namely: passive students, passive parents of students and lastly, unavailability and inaccessibility of teaching aids.

Batan shared that a catechist that he interviewed uses the back of an old calendar as her teaching aid.

“Kailangan po ng teaching aids ng catechists,” he said adding that learning these days require technology like simple slides and overhead projector which many catechists don’t have access.

Formal education for catechists and their ongoing formation are also things that were seen as need during the presentation of survey.

DISCONNECT WITH TEACHING AND FAMILY SITUATION

The survey presented also showed that the top three issues and concerns that the catechized encountered are the following:

1. Parents who don’t go to church
2. Jobless parents
3. Parents who are not married/separated parents

Batan said that these factors pose a big challenge for catechists since children cannot relate or apply the teachings in their family’s situation.

He said that the dioceses have catechists for children but for now, there’s no catechesis for the parents.

Meanwhile, close to 3,000 catechists from DADITAMA have attended the whole day gathering which was culminated by a Holy Mass officiated by Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles.

The gathering was organized by the Davao John XXIII Catechetical Center and was held at St. Francis Xavier Regional Seminary Gym, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.