On August 16, 2025, approximately 200 children, youth, catechists, sisters, and priests from the parishes of Joypur, Dumka, and Barapahari gathered at Don Bosco Parish Barapahari to celebrate Inter-Parish Catechetical Day 2025. The day began at 8:30 AM with registration and breakfast for all the participants.

At 9:30 AM, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, allowing participants to spend time in prayer and worship, led by Deacon Bernard Mardi. This was followed by the Eucharistic celebration at 11:00 AM, presided over by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, the Provincial of the Salesian Province of Kolkata. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Shanti Soren, Fr. Karlus Murmu, Fr. Peter Munna, and Fr. Kumudo Digal as concelebrants, along with two deacons present for the celebration. The choir, composed of the youth from Barapahari parish, filled the liturgy with melodious singing, encouraging everyone's devotional participation. In his homily, Fr. Joseph Pauria urged all present to be missionary disciples, bearing witness to Christ through their daily words, gestures, actions, and attitudes. After Mass and a short break, the participants gathered for the Mega Catholic Catechism Quiz, featuring three finalists from each parish.

Following lunch, the stage events took place. Participants from each parish showcased performances, including dance, dance dramas, and faith-based skits. Demonstrating exceptional commitment and enthusiasm, Barapahari Parish emerged as the top participant in the catechetical events and was awarded the winning trophy for achieving the highest points. Joypur Parish was declared the runner-up, while VTI Dumka secured third place.

During the on-stage events, catechists who have served for over 25 years in the parishes of Joypur and Barapahari were honoured by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, acknowledging their contributions to catechesis and evangelization. 

Special thanks were extended to Rev. Fr. Provincial for his presence at the programme, along with a word of appreciation for Fr. Peter Munna and his team for hosting the event with dedication and efficiency. Additionally, the director of Catechetics expressed gratitude to all the parish priests for their efforts in attending the programme.

On July 27, 2025, a catechetical workshop was held at Ursuline School in Purnea for the school catechism teachers of Purnea diocese. Approximately 70 teachers, with two representatives from each school, participated in the event. The day was graced by the presence of Rt. Reverend Francis Tirkey, the bishop of Purnea diocese, who not only presided over the inaugural Mass but was also present for the initial session. In his inaugural talk, he highlighted the significance of education in faith and morals. The main resource person for the day was Rev. Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB, the Catechetical Director of Nitika. He introduced the teachers to the official catechisms of the Church, outlined the qualities of an effective catechism teacher, and demonstrated several pedagogical techniques to enhance classroom management and convey the Gospel message to children and youth in schools and parishes.

In alignment with the jubilee calendar of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, the Nitika Catholic Community held a special celebration for families marked by a solemn Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. I.C. Jacob. Following the Mass, an engaging session led by Rev. Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB encouraged participants to reflect on the vital roles of parents within the family and the significance of families as the domestic church. 

The event truly embodied a "gathering of families." It concluded with a fellowship meal in the refectory, where members shared a joyful meal together. Afterward, the festivities continued with a lively game of housey-housey organized by Mr. Dominic and Mrs. Rita. The excitement heightened as prizes, donated by various families, remained a mystery until revealed. Everyone played with a strong sense of community, and a few lucky participants walked away with multiple prizes.

The jubilee celebration concluded with heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to organizing the event, making it a memorable occasion for the entire community.

On June 22, 2025, the Young Apostles of Christ (YAC) organized a full-day programme for altar servers at Bandel Basilica. Invitations were extended to all parishes within the Howrah-Hooghly deanery of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Around 80 participants from six parishes attended the seminar and workshop. These included the Basilica of the Holy Rosary Bandel, St. John Bosco Church in Liluah, Sacred Heart Church in Chandanagar, Jishu Ashram Church in Pandua, and Nirmala Mata Maria Church on Andul Road. 

The day began with registration at 9 a.m., followed by an inauguration ceremony in the Parish Hall. This included a Bible procession, the invocation of God’s blessings through a prayer dance, the lighting of the lamp, and a short message from Rev. Fr. Puthiyedathuchalil John, the prior of Bandel Church. After an ice-breaking session, participants enjoyed a brief break before attending a session led by Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB. He discussed the duties and responsibilities of altar servers and introduced them to the names of various Mass articles, vestments, and altar linens. In the second half of the session, the participants were instructed on the appropriate postures and gestures during Mass, as well as the specific roles of the cross bearer, thurifer, candle bearers, and other servers. Following this session, they broke for lunch, and after lunch, they engaged in group work and a quiz competition focused on Mass and liturgy. 

At approximately 3:15 p.m., a solemn Mass of Corpus Christi was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Kumudo Digal, along with other concelebrants. After Mass, prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions. Consolation prizes were given to all the groups. The day's events concluded with a final blessing given by the Bandel prior to all participants. After the programme, everyone was served tea and snacks. It was a great joy to see the altar servers returning to their respective parishes with renewed spirit and enthusiasm to serve at the altar for the glory of God.

The CCBI Commission for Faith Formation has established an eight-member committee to develop the second edition of the National Catechetical Directory, titled “Fostering the Faith of a Pilgrim People.” The team gathered at the CCBI Centre in Benaulim, Goa, from June 15 to 19, 2025, to work on the document.

This revision represents a significant milestone, aiming to incorporate insights from synodal documents, the Directory for Catechesis, "Antiqua et Nova," "Antiquum Ministerium," "Amoris Laetitia," "Laudato Si," "Christus Vivit," and others. The updated edition will also address contemporary challenges and the essential needs of the Church in India today. This directory primarily serves the Latin Rite Church in India.

The committee is led by Rev. Fr. Vijay Machado, the Executive Secretary of the Commission for Faith Formation, with Rev. Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB serving as coordinator and editor, overseeing the comprehensive review and integration process. Other committee members include Fr. Domingo Gonsalves, Fr. Vincent D’Cruz from Mumbai, Fr. Dinesh Vasava SDB from Pune, Fr. Kumudo Digal SDB from Kolkata, Fr. Rohit D’Costa from Mangalore, and Sr. Siji from Bengaluru.

The revised edition will be a major step toward strengthening faith formation across India, ensuring that catechesis remains relevant, contextual, and dynamic in a rapidly evolving world. The team is also considering creating a diagrammatic summary for each chapter with brief notes, serving as a visual guide or teaching aid for directors and catechists.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) through its Office for Interreligious Dialogue and its social action wing Caritas India joined in the launching of the National Multi-Faith Action Coordination Committee (MFACC) and joined as its core member during its setting up meeting organized by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and UNICEF. They participated in its historic first meeting held on May 29, 2025, at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.  Fr. Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, National Secretary of CBCI Office for Interreligious Dialogue, and Mr. Navneet Yadav, Lead - Humanitarian Action & DRR at Caritas India, represented the CBCI Centre in this meeting and assured cooperation to MFACC and support to UNICEF and GIWA in this visionary initiative.

In the remarkable presence of former President of India, honourable Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the leaders of seven Faith traditions and representatives of various Faith-based Organisations working in India attended this first-ever meeting of its kind, under the guidance of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji. The purpose of the MFACC is to serve as a national platform and mechanism to support knowledge sharing, priority setting and action planning to effectively respond to “the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth” by bringing together multiple faith leaders and faith based organisations (FBOs) and other key stakeholders. It aims to promote joint coordinated action in key sectors, such as public health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection and education, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action. MFACC has decided to hold its next meeting shortly in Delhi to work out its action plan and to meet every quarter to monitor its activities.

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Reported by Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, National Secretary, CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, New Delhi, 30-05-2025

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 AM, with participant registration, followed by breakfast for all.

At  9:30 AM., a catechetical session was held for all the participants in  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 11:00 AM. 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. The Choir for the Mass was led by the youth of Azimganj parish who with their melodious singing 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. Following the celebration of the Mass, the participants congregated near Don Bosco hostel for lunch. 

In the afternoon, the stage events were held. To set the spiritual tone to the event the programme commenced with the veneration of the Word of God and invokation of the Holy Spirit with a hymn to the Holy Spirit. The first and the most importnatn event was the Catholic Catechism Quiz competition. This was followed by the 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.