The second phase of the Basic Training for Catechists (BTC) in Bengali was organized at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata from November 21st to 24th, 2023. This training program was intended for parish lay catechists. There were initially twenty-four members who had registered, but due to unforeseeable circumstances, six members were unable to attend. All the catechists who participated were from our own Salesian parishes in Diamond Harbour, Monsada, and Kalyani. The resource persons for this training program were Reverend Father Thomas Joseph SJ from Morning Star College, Father Pradeep Roy from Baroipur Diocese, Father Bijoy Ghosh SDB, our vocation promoter, and Father Kumudo Kuriakose Digal SDB. The participants were very pleased and grateful for the course and even expressed their eagerness for the next phase of training. The course was designed to cover the biblical, sacramental, liturgical, moral, pedagogical, and Marian dimensions of our faith. They also had a pilgrimage to Auxilium Parish, Kolkata. The training program concluded with the distribution of certificates issued by Nitika Catechetical Centre, Kolkata. Special thanks to all the parish priests who sent their catechists for the training. 

A Catechetical seminar, for the Catechism Teachers of Kolkata Deanery, was held at Archbishop’s House Kolkata on 5th November 2023. There were over 40 participants from different  parishes of Kolkata. It was a mixed group of lay  people and religious nuns involved in catechetical ministry. The resource person for the seminar was Rev. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, SDB. The participants were introduced as to how they need to prepare their lessons for the catechism class. They were also introduced the recent document Laudate Deum of Pope Francis published on 4th October 2023. At the end of the sessions the participants expressed their joy of having the opportunity to learn and appreciated the resource person for beautifully disseminating the information on the given topic.