By Nirmal Jamreet Toppo
Kolkata: Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta has relaunched Catechetics India, a Salesian journal to educate people on the Catholic religious tenets.
“We all are catechists in our own families, educational institutions, work places, churches and societies. In this identity of ours, the magazine is very rich, very useful and big help for sowing the treasure called faith,” Archbishop D’Souza said on August 26 while releasing the revamped edition at Don Bosco School, Park Circus, downtown Kolkata.
More than 150 people attended the function that screened presentation on the Synod of Youth scheduled for October 3-28 in Rome.
The archbishop lauded Father Gilbert Choondal, the magazine’s chief editor, who volunteered to work in the archdiocese for three years. Father Choondal’s “voluntary presence in the catechetical work in our diocese is a big blessing which will hopefully continue more than three years,” he added.
The revamped issue of Catechetics India has 12 sections, each suffixed with the word CAT (short of catechism), dealing with catechesis on the Bible, the latest Catholic teachings, liturgy, Church icons, faith in family, film catechism, needs of youth and catechism of activity.
The cover story of the first issue is Synod for youth. The resumed issue targets families and catechists. A promotional video, “A magazine for yourself and not your shelf,” presents the way to use the magazine like a text book, school work book or even a newspaper.
Father Choondal said the magazine uses icons available in the tradition of Catholic Church to teach catechism. “Icons contain rich symbolism which are not apparent on the first look,” the Salesian priest from Bangalore province while explaining ‘VisualCat’, one of the various sections of the magazine.
Speaking on MovieCat, Father Gilbert said that the magazine will pick up a film in every issue and provide ideas for film criticism and questions for deliberations in the light of Catholic faith. The priest also presented various sections of the upcoming Synod for the youth.
Earlier, Father Francis Thathenkery, the provincial councillor for Evangelization and Catechesis, acquainted the audience with the history of Catechetics India and the beginning of catechetical service from Nitika Don Bosco, the then catechetical center that began in 1977.
“The relaunch of Catechetics India, the original work of Nitika, has rekindled the flame of catechetical effort from Nitika,” Father Thathenkery claimed.
On the occasion, the archbishop also released the book The Power of Intercession by Father Jose Aymanathil. The book contains inspiring explanations on prayer for deliverance and healing emerging from the experience of the author who has been engaged in the spiritual renewal ministry in the diocese since two decades.