Catechetical Foundation of the Archdiocese of Manila

The Commission on Volunteer Catechists

The Commission on Volunteer Catechists is responsible for the continued development of a comprehensive catechetical program for volunteer catechists. It provides overall direction of the catechetical activities, including the arrangement of schedules, recruitment and training of volunteer catechists. It shall be composed of the Commissioner for the Volunteer Catechists, the Ministry Assistant for Volunteer Catechists and the Coordinators in charge of the Volunteer Catechists from the different Diocesan Catechetical Ministry.

Duties and Responsibilities:

-    Attends Volunteer Catechists Commission Meetings

-   Plans and coordinates with the Volunteer Catechists Commissioner

     and the Volunteer Catechists Coordinators and prepares needed reports

-   Keeps and updates records of the volunteer catechists

-   Conducts visitation to the different dioceses

-   Provides time for consultation with Volunteer Catechists Coordinators

-   Plans and conducts evaluation with Volunteer Catechists Commissioner and the Volunteer Catechists Coordinators.

-   Attends Formation Commission Meetings

-   helps in the implementation of the formation programs for Volunteer Catechists

I           School Year 2010-2011 contribution of school based volunteer catechists in the public schools catechesis.

II         FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS

            CFAM Volunteer Catechists Assembly

            The volunteer catechists of the six dioceses under CFAM, had their first assembly last September 11, 2010. Fr. Renato De Guzman, SDB was the resource person for the gathering. Around 400 school based volunteer catechists attended the assembly. The whole day activity started with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Amado Gino, the Commissioner for the Volunteer Catechists. Fr. Degs gave input and facilitated the activities mostly workshop on the catechetical experience of the volunteer catechists. The Don Bosco Technical School, Makati generously offered there “Joy Center” for the free use of venue.   

Formation of Volcats Coordinators with GLC/YLC and Head Catechists

            In order to equip further the volunteer catechist coordinators in their task to supervise their fellow volunteer catechists, the volcats coordinators will undergo the special formations given to both GLC/YLC and Head Catechists. Formation with GLC/YLC will help them deepen their understanding on catechetical methodology and basics on classroom supervisions, while the formations with Head Catechists will develop their leadership skills and understand better pastoral concerns. Both formations were appreciated well by volunteer catechist coordinators who attended the first and second sessions of the program.

III        LEADERSHIP AND SHEPHERDING

Diocesan Visitation of Volunteer Catechists Commission Personnel

            One of the resolutions made during the August Volunteer Catechists Commission Meeting was the visitation of the Volcats Commission Personnel to the six Dioceses.     Fr. Bong Gino, the VC Commissioner and Mr. Ed Frando, the Ministry Assistant for Volunteer Catechists agreed to visit the volunteer catechists in there dioceses and facilitate dialogue with them. Another objective of the visitation is to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of volunteer catechists and deepen their commitment in the work of catechesis.

            The program for the visitation begins with the celebration of the Holy mass in the morning followed by an input about discipleship in the context of volunteer catechists to be given by the Fr. Bong. After the break, orientation to the CFAM and the diocesan and parish catechetical ministry will be shared by Mr. Ed Frando. The last part of the program is an open forum in order to listen to the questions, needs and sentiments of the volunteer catechists. The schedule of visitation to the dioceses are as follows:

Pasig                                                    October 15                 

Parañaque                                            November 18

Novaliches                                            October 16                 

Calookan                                              November 19

Archdiocese of Manila                             October 22                 

Cubao                                                  To be scheduled

Issuance of Volunteer Catechists ID

            The issuance of volunteer catechists ID is implemented again this school year. The original format of the ID is retained with a minor change on the background color. For this year color yellow is used as background instead of blue. Volunteer catechists who qualify based on the requirements receive the volcats ID signed by their respective parish priest.

Catechetical Instructional Kit for Volunteer Catechists

            A total of 150 catechetical kits were given for free to the volunteer catechists of CFAM. Thus, each Diocese received 25 sets of instructional kit for their volunteer catechists.  Guidelines were made in the distribution of the kit with the allowance due to different diocesan context. The catechetical kit was very helpful in doing catechesis. Hence, all the Volunteer catechists expressed their desire to have their own kit. Arrangements with CFAM-RPDO were made to accommodate request of vocals to purchase the kit at production cost. Consideration was also given to them in case they buy the kit as a whole (complete set) or by items (flipchart only) depending on the financial capacity of vocals. A solicitation letter was also drafted for volunteer catechists who are interested to request assistance from their parish priest or other sponsors.