Saint Francis of Assisi Parish

Pulo, Cabuyao City, Laguna

Office of the Parish Catechesis Ministry

Catechetical Program

“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in
intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and
make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.”
Pope John Paul II - Catechesi Tradendae

Brief Overview

The barangay of Pulo, City of Cabuyao, province of Laguna, under the Diocese of San Pablo.
Living out the three-fold ministry of Jesus as prophet, king and priest, the Parish created the
Ministries on Formation, Service and Liturgy. This is to ensure a holistic practice of faith in daily
life. The Ministry on Formations has (5) Commissions namely, Commission on Catechesis,
Commission on Family and Life, Commission on Bible apostolate, Commission on Youth
Ministry whose mandate is to carry out the vision to bring the Good News to all peoples and
become witnessing disciples of Jesus.
Currently, the parish priest/Guardian of the Parish & fraternity is Rev. Fr. Zacarias M. Parra,
OFMCap. Along with Rev. Fr. Uldarico Camus, OFMCap, as the assistant parish priest and
Rev. Deo Quinto, OFMCap.

Rationale:
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish of Pulo, Cabuyao City, Laguna is now facing the challenge that is
really familiar on any other parishes and Arch/Dioceses and as well as the Catholic Schools:
how do we revitalize our catechetical ministry with young people so as to dig them deeper into
Catholicism as a comprehensive way of life, plus, Cabuyao City, Particularly at Pulo, is now one
of the leading barangays when it comes to economic progress because of the Light, Industry
and Science Park of the Philippines I (LISP I) is there and many people of Pulo is becoming
more preoccupied by opportunities and jobs, and population is increasing because of other
people are coming into this barangay for work, and how so, in doing provide them with the
knowledge and abilities to live out their faith as disciples of Christ as members of the Catholic
Faith community?

This cathecetical plan is designed to assist those who are responsible for the catechetical
leadership in the parish in confronting this challenge. Currently, there is little offered by way of
systematic, intentional catechesis beyond programs of confirmation preparation. Frequently the
parish programs for situations like these focuses on social and service opportunities with little
attention to catechesis, there must be a balance into it.

As for those in – charge of the Catechetical ministry, it is necessary to have programs that has
powerful impact on the faith of the youth, and all busy people of Pulo, integrating systematic,
intentional catechesis within comprehension and proper time management, providing
understanding and clarity and having the chance to deepen their Catholic faith.

Vision
The Commission on Catechesis envisions to establish a community of disciples who are not
only in touch but are in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ. Empowered by the
spirit of Jesus, the disciples become active witnesses of the love of Jesus towards a matured
faith and a transformed society.
Mission
The Commission is committed to work for an integral evangelization towards a mature faith
through an integrated, inculturated, and community-building catechesis deeply rooted in the
Word of God and in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Goals
The Commission aims to:
1. Provide catechetical programs and other services both in our Parish and its chapels and
schools around the jurisdiction of the parish that lead to a better understanding of the faith and
improving the quality of pastoral life of the people of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
2. Train more catechists to become competent in teaching the faith both in its content and its
practice in daily life through witnessing, thereby, serve as role models of God’s salvific love.

1. Establish linkages with other Parish and Archdiocesan Commissions as well as Government
and Non-government Agencies for collaboration and partnership in the task of integral
human development and value formation.

Programs and Services

1. Program on Parish Catechists

2. Program on Student-Catechists
3. Program on Sacraments of Initiation
4. Program on Retreats and Recollections
5. Program on Mass Media

Program on Parish Catechists (including the catechists on other barangays under SFA
Parish)
Nature
The Commission promotes faith relationship with Christ. It conducts catechism classes,
recollections and retreats, seminars and workshops. To carry out these services, the
Commission links with other institutions/organizations in order to provide training and formation
programs for catechists, so as to make them equipped in competency and enriched in
spirituality for the task of evangelization.

Objectives
The Commission aims to:
1. Strengthen religious instruction in the different Public Elementary and High Schools in Pulo
and all the barangays that is under the parish.
2. Give a comprehensive and systematic catechetical formation to parish-based catechists as
well as the catechists on the chapels.
3. Cultivate and strengthen the spirituality of all the catechists.

Guidelines
1. All catechists must be good and exemplary Catholics and active members of the Parish.
2. By making the catechist a true minister of God, he/she is required to have received the
Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and the Sacrament of
Matrimony, if applicable.
3. Election of officers shall be held every three years. The term of office of all officers
elected/appointed shall be determined by their effectiveness, efficiency and service to the
common good of the commission.
4. A Head Catechist shall be elected/assigned to each parish. He/she should attend the
Regular Vicariate Monthly Meeting.
5. All catechists are required to attend a Seminar/Updating/Planning held every summer before
the school year opens in all vicariates.

Program on Student-Catechists
Nature
The Commission is responsible in providing for catechetical programs in the schools served by
the Parish. This program includes both the training of the students-catechists and the
implementation of catechetical instruction for both public and private schools. The formation of
student-catechists not only equips the students with content and methodology but also
nourishes their spirituality as catechists so that their activities spring in truth from their own
witness of life.

Objectives
The Commission aims to:
1. Train student-catechists and keep them abreast with recent development in catechetical
content and methodology
2. Help student-catechists acquire and enrich their knowledge and skills on the fundamentals of
Christian faith and to be effective evangelizers and witnesses of the Gospel
3. Prepare student-catechists for the work in the parish and public schools and help them
develop their love for mission
4. Promote closer collaboration and partnership between other parishes and Catholic private
schools.

Guidelines
Selection
The selection process of student-catechists will be handled by the school authorities. These
students will come from the High School and, if applicable College Departments.
The process shall consider the following:
A. Academic competence
B. Good moral conduct
C. His / her life as a good, witnessing catholic
D. Willingness to serve
E. Completion of basic trainings

Approval
The Vicariate Director together with the Campus Ministry Coordinator shall have an audience
with the Parish Priest for the approval of the apostolate. He shall be notified and consulted first
before any coordination to the public schools can be made. He can suggest and recommend
things for the improvement of the program.
Coordination
Once approved, the Vicariate Director and the Campus Ministry Coordinator will coordinate the
apostolate/program with the public school authorities. Details of the program, i.e. schedules,
assignments, and the like will be discussed thoroughly for a possible arrangement agreeable to
both parties.
Support
The Parish Priest and the parish-catechists shall provide full support and assistance
( sacraments and other concerns) for the student-catechists in their apostolate.

The Vicariate Director shall oversee them from time to time. He must see to it that the program
is going on smoothly. Any problem that needs to be addressed, he shall assist. He will regularly
report the status of the program to the Archdiocesan Chairman for the Catechesis.
The Parish Commission on Catechesis will provide for the modules of the program. The staff will
help in the orientation and formation of the student-catechists during their trainings.

Funding

The expenses for the apostolate (handout materials, transportation, snacks and the like) shall
be shouldered primarily by the school of the student-catechists. However, the parish and its
parishioners are also encouraged to help out in any way they can.
Special Awards

At the end of the school year, the student-catechists will be given recognition from the Parish or
the Diocesan Commission on Catechesis. The most outstanding among them will also be given
special awards ( i.e. scholarships for religious education) and citation.

Criteria for the Most Outstanding Student-Catechist

1. A good knowledge of Church doctrines/teachings and Scriptures

2. Perfect Attendance and Punctuality
3. Regular Church-goer
4. A good example to others
5. With good moral character

Parish Involvement
The student-catechists, if willing, can become parish-catechists and can extend their apostolate
during summer. It’s best that they pursue it and be involved in the parish.

Program on Sacraments of Initiation

Nature
The Commission promotes a unified policy on First Communion and Sacrament of Confirmation.
Objectives
The Commission aims to:

1. Help the recipient better understand and appreciate the meaning of the sacraments and
their value in their lives.
2. Assist the recipient to have the proper disposition in receiving meaningfully the sacraments.
3. Help the recipient attain deeper witnessing through an intense sacramental experience.

Guidelines:

1. The candidates for confirmation and first communion will come from Grade III level or 8
years old and above.
2. Certificates will be given to the recipients after the reception of the sacraments duly signed
by the Parish Priest and/or by the Vicariate Director.

Requirements:

1. For Confirmation
2. Baptism
3. Catechesis (for catholic and public schools)
4. 3 Saturdays (2 Saturdays for the candidate, 1 Saturday for parents and godparents)

1. For \First Communion

2. Baptism
3. Confirmation
4. Confession
5. Catechesis (for catholic and public schools)
6. 3 Saturdays (2 Saturdays for the First communicants and 1 Saturday for parents and
godparents)

Program on Retreats and Recollections

Nature:
The Commission conducts retreats and recollections to Graduating Grade VI pupils, Fourth
Year High Schools students, Teachers, Parents, and Government Employees.
Objectives:
The Commission aims to:

1. Nurture the spiritual life of the participants.

2. Intensify their faith – life and witnessing of the Gospel.
3. Make them partners for evangelization work.

Guidelines:

1. The Commission arranges details / logistics (schedules, speakers, venues, permits and the
like) of the retreats and recollections.
2. It will offer topics and inputs suitable for the spiritual development of the participants.

Program on Mass Media

Nature
The Commission is committed to spread the Good News of God’s love to all peoples. Preaching
the Gospel using modern technology in Mass Communication is an effective and potent means
for evangelization in the modern world.
Objectives
The Commission aims to:

1. Offer new ways of bringing the message of the Gospel to people by means of print and
audio visual media.
2. Cultivate and develop media talents and skills of the youth for evangelization work.

Guidelines:

1. The Commission makes available a library of instructional materials both print and audio
visual especially for catechists and those who want to do research and study.
2. Publication of a Newsletter will be available every other month.
3. In cooperation with the Parish Youth Ministry, and other youth ministries within parish
organizations, plan to develop a website, FB account, and other social media accounts
Teaching Materials:

1. Sacred Scripture or Holy Bible

2. New National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines, CBCP-ECCCE 2007
3. Congregation for the Clergy, “General Directory for Catechesis, “ 1997
4. National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines, “Maturing in Christian Faith”
5. CBCP/ECCCE, “Catechism of the Catholic Church” 1994
6. CBCP/ECCCE, “Catechism for Filipino Catholics” 1997
7. Catechetical Kit by National Center for Catechesis
8. Catellette by Catechists Foundation of the Philippines
9. CBCP/ECCCE, “Katekismo para sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko,” 2000

Facilities and Equipments

1. Seminar / Training Room (Second & Third Floor, St. Francis of Asissi Parish Parish
Center)
Seating Capacity-70

2. 5 PC units
3. Office (Room 200)
4. Digital Copier Machine
5. LCD projectors (Powerpoint and film-showing)

*action plans and other specifics will be finalized next time