A workshop focused on Don Bosco’s System of Education took place from March 24 to 25, 2025, at Don Bosco School Purnea, specifically designed for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution. Sessions were conducted separately for teachers and non-teaching staff to address their unique roles and contributions. There were around 40 teachers, and 25 non-teaching staff present for the workshop. 

Fr. Kumudo Digal, SDB, the director of Nitika Don Bosco, served as the resource person for the workshop. In his introductory session, he provided an overview of St. John Bosco’s life, vision, and mission, emphasizing how the institution aligns with the ideals of the Salesian Society he founded. 

Key topics discussed included the Salesian Preventive System, which encapsulates Don Bosco’s educational philosophy and his approach to educating and accompanying young people today. Workshops for teachers covered critical aspects such as classroom management, building positive relationships, and strategies for effective discipline.

For non-teaching staff, sessions highlighted the virtue of honesty and their vital role within the school community. 

Overall, both teachers and non-teaching personnel expressed satisfaction with the workshop, particularly appreciating the relevant exercises designed to help them understand and implement the session’s objectives more effectively.

On March 2, 2025, approximately 450 children, youth, catechists, sisters, and priests from the parishes of Azimganj, Polsonda, and Berhampur gathered at the Don Bosco campus in Azimganj to celebrate Inter-Parish Catechetical Day 2025. The day began at 8:00 a.m. with participant registration, followed by breakfast for all.

At around 9:30 a.m., a catechetical session was held for all participants in the Don Bosco School Assembly Hall. The session, conducted in Bengali by Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, was interactive, focusing on prayer and liturgy. After the session, participants were given a short break, after which everyone gathered again in the same hall for the Eucharistic celebration at about 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. David Mondal was the main celebrant of the Mass, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ajay Kumar Sardar, Fr. Motilal Kisku, Fr. K.K. Sebastian, Fr. Cheriatt Jose, and Fr. Kumudo Digal as concelebrants. Special thanks were given to the Azimganj parish youth choir for their melodious singing, which led everyone to participate devoutly in the liturgy. In his homily, Fr. David Mondal exhorted everyone to be missionary disciples, bearing witness to Christ through their daily words, gestures, actions, and attitudes. The readers for the Mass were from Berhampur parish, and the youth from Polsonda parish led the Prayer of the Faithful. Following the celebration of the Mass, participants congregated near the Don Bosco hostel for lunch.

In the afternoon, stage events were held, beginning with the veneration of the Word of God, which included garlanding and the lighting of lamps, accompanied by a hymn to the Holy Spirit. Four representatives from each parish were then invited on stage for the Catholic Catechism Quiz Competition. This was followed by on-stage performances such as group choir, prayer dance, and Bible-based skits by participants from the respective parishes. Demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm, Azimganj Parish stood out as the leading participant in the catechetical events and was awarded the winning trophy for topping the points table. Berhampur parish was declared the runner-up, while Polsonda parish secured third place.

During the on-stage events, the catechists who have been working for more than 25 years in the parishes of Azimganj, Polsonda, and Berhampur were felicitated by Rev. Fr. Ajay Kumar Sardar, Rector of Don Bosco, in acknowledgment of their contributions to catechesis and evangelization.

Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB, the director of the Catechetical Ministry in the Province of Kolkata, concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks. Participants then headed back to their respective parishes after enjoying a delightful tea and snacks, departing with joyful hearts and lasting memories. Special appreciation goes to Rev. Fr. Ajay Kumar Sardar, the Rector of Don Bosco Azimganj, Fr. Motilal Kisku, the parish priest of the hosting parish, Fr. Noby George, the administrator, Fr. Nirmal Toppo, and everyone else who contributed to the event's success.

A Bible Quiz was held for both young people and adults in celebration of Word of God Sunday at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata. The quiz focused on the four Gospels of the New Testament. Around 20 participants, inspired by Pope Francis's exhortation, dedicated the day to celebrating, studying, and sharing the word of God. Their enthusiastic participation made the competition both interesting and entertaining. Special thanks to Sr. Jayarani, Mrs. Moushumi Gomes, and Mrs. Charmine Bajaj for their dedicated efforts in preparing and organizing this event efficiently. The winners were awarded Bibles as a token of appreciation for their outstanding performance, and all participants expressed happiness for being part of the celebration. May St. Jerome’s saying, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ,” inspire many to devote time to studying and meditating on the word of God daily at home.

An intensive three-day workshop on Youth Catechesis was organized for the first-year brothers at Salesian College Sonada, Darjeeling, with nineteen participants in attendance. The course included introductions to the official catechisms of the Church, such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCCC), the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (YOUCAT), and the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church (DOCAT). Participants learned to prepare sessions for Youth Catechesis using the anthropological method and conducted demo sessions in groups to familiarize themselves with the steps involved. Feedback and corrections from resource person Rev. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal SDB helped them become more proficient in applying the method effectively. Besides the methodology, the course also introduced participants to the tasks and sources of catechesis, focusing on the content of faith and its transmission, especially to young people.

On January 2nd, 2025, a workshop was held for the sisters belonging to the Congregation of St. Anne’s of Chennai. This workshop was designed to help the participants become more effective in their pastoral ministry. The workshop was divided into three sections. The first three sessions focused on the tasks and sources of catechesis, as well as the jubilee indulgence. After the break, there were two additional sessions on how to prepare a catechetical session using the anthropological method, followed by a demonstration session on a particular topic. The afternoon sessions primarily consisted of practice, as the participants prepared demo sessions of half an hour each, following the steps of the anthropological method. Father Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, the Catechetical Director of Nitika, was the resource person for the day. The workshop had 21 participants who expressed satisfaction with the sessions and provided positive feedback regarding how the workshop would benefit them in their parishes and other settings of their ministry.

A catechetical workshop was organized on December 18, 2024, at Proggaloy Barasat for the catechists and catechism teachers of the 24 Parganas (N) Deanery. This deanery consists of eleven parishes, one of which is under the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Around 40 participants from eight different parishes attended the workshop, which was conducted in Bengali. 

Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal SDB from Nitika Don Bosco served as the resource person for the day. He discussed on the Jubilee Indulgence, explaining its meaning, providing a brief history, and outlining its benefits for the faithful. He also addressed how to plan and prepare for catechism classes, particularly in preparing children for their First Holy Communion. The participants were pleased to learn about the possibility of gaining both plenary and partial indulgences for the remission of their temporal punishment. 

After the workshop, the participants were asked to come together in their respective parish groups to develop action plans for the forthcoming jubilee in 2025. Later in the afternoon, participants were encouraged to spend some time in prayer and silence to prepare for the sacrament of confession.

A Catechetical workshop was organized in Bengali on December 5, 2024, at Seva Kendra Kharagpur for the Catechism teachers and catechists of Medinipur Deanery. This deanery consists of 14 parishes, one of which is cared for by the Salesians of Don Bosco. The participants at the workshop were from 10 parishes of the Deanery. It was a mixed group of male and female catechists as well as some religious sisters from four religious congregations. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal from Nitika Don Bosco was the resource person. He talked about Jubilee Indulgence, explaining its meaning, brief history, and benefits for the faithful. The participants were happy to learn about the possibility of gaining both plenary and partial indulgences for the remission of their temporal punishment. After the workshop, the participants were made to come together in their parish groups to draw up some action plans for the Jubilee 2025. Afternoon the participants were prepared for the sacrament of confession as a preparation for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord. Over all the participants were grateful for the sessions taken and the usefulness of it for their life and ministry. 

A Catechetical workshop was organized on December 1, 2024, at the Archbishops’ House Kolkata for the Catechism teachers of Howrah & Hooghly Deanery. This deanery consists of ten parishes, two of which are cared for by the Salesians of Don Bosco. The participants at the workshop were from the Church of Our Lady of Happy Voyage Howrah, St. Joseph the Worker Church Santragachi, and Catholic Church Premnagar. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal from Nitika Don Bosco was the resource person, and he talked about Jubilee Indulgence, explaining its meaning, brief history, and benefits for the faithful. The participants were happy to learn about the possibility of gaining both plenary and partial indulgences for the remission of their temporal punishment. After the workshop, the participants were encouraged to spend some time in silence to approach the sacrament of confession as a preparation for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.

From November 18th to 22nd, 2024, a five-day Catechetical course was held for the Pre-Novices at Savio Bhavan Azimganj. The course was designed to introduce the Pre-Novices to the official Catechisms of the Church, as well as church documents on Liturgy, ecology, and Marian dogmas.

The resource person, Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB, introduced the Pre-Novices to the history of different catechisms and provided a brief timeline of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He explained its structure and purpose and went on to introduce the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the DOCAT.

Fr. Digal also explained the importance of liturgy, including the liturgical seasons, the dos and don'ts of Sunday Liturgy, and  the Divine Office. In addition, he introduced the four Marian Dogmas of the church to help the Pre-Novices understand the Catholic understanding of Mary as the Mother of God, her virginity, immaculate conception, and assumption.

At the end of the course, the Pre-Novices felt that it was a very enriching experience and found it useful for their growth in knowledge of faith and liturgy.

Around 270 children and teachers including sisters and priests from Bandel, Liluah, and Kalyani came together at Bandel Church on 27th October 2024, to celebrate inter-parish Catechetical Day - a joyful event filled with faith-based activities and competitions. Hosted by Bandel Parish, the event began in the Parish Hall, where attendees were welcomed warmly at registration and served breakfast, supported by dedicated volunteers, setting a positive and inclusive tone for the day.

By 10 a.m., catechetical sessions were in full swing. Under the guidance of Father Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, Director of Catechetical Ministry, children engaged in interactive discussions on the Holy Eucharist. The session then transitioned into a moment of spiritual reflection with Praise and Adoration, and many participants received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, deepening their connection to their faith.

At noon, all gathered for a solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the historic Bandel Basilica. Led by the main celebrant, Father Chandan Banerjee, with heartfelt readings from each parish, the sacrament of communion became the true heart of Catechetical Day.

A community lunch followed in Fatima Hall, where parish representatives ensured everyone was well served. It was a wonderful time for fellowship, as attendees bonded over a shared meal, strengthening community ties.

In the afternoon, cultural events took the spotlight, showcasing the talent of each parish. From an uplifting welcome dance by Bandel’s Sunday school teachers to spirited choirs, skits, and prayer dances, the performances brought biblical stories to life and embodied a vibrant display of community spirit.

The day continued with a Bible Quiz, sparking excitement and testing biblical knowledge, followed by a projector show featuring highlights from each parish. In a show of commitment and enthusiasm, Kalyani emerged as the standout participant in the catechetical events. The event also honoured Catechism teachers who have dedicated over a decade to nurturing children’s faith and education - a heartfelt tribute to their service.

The day concluded with a vote of thanks from Fr. Kumudo, followed by a final tea gathering, marking the end of Catechetical Day 2024 with cherished memories and a strengthened education to faith.