The phase one of Basic Training for Catechists (BTC) in Santhali was organised at Don Bosco, Polsonda Parish from 6th to 10th March 2023. This training programme was for the parish lay Catechists. There were altogether 118 participants. All the Catechists were from our own Salesian parishes of Katihar, Sinnet, Berhampore, Polsonda, Azimganj, Boropahari, Joypur, Gazole and Dhobasole. The resource persons for this training programme were Rev. Fr. David Mondal, Fr. M.C. Joseph, Fr. Joseph Biswas, Fr. Kumudo Digal and Fr. Irish Besra. The participants were very happy and were grateful for the course. They did not have this kind of training programme for the last 15 years.  From the group fifty percentage participants had attended the previous training programme others were attending for the first time. The course was designed to touch on the Biblical, sacramental, liturgical, moral, pedagogical, ecclesial, and ecumenical dimensions of our faith. Special thanks to all the parish priests who sent their catechists for training. Thanks to Polsonda Community for facilitating the programme. They are ready to attend the follow up programme next year around same time. Since the number was too big it was felt to have in the following year in two groups.  The Catechists were lucky that Rt. Rev. Nirmal Gomes, the bishop of   Krishnagar diocese came to preside over the mass  and broke the word for them. On the last day, Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, the provincial of Salesian Province of Kolkata, also presided over the concluding mass and broke the word for them. It was a great success as such a big number could be accommodated. 

The basic Training for Catechists (BTC) was organised for the Hindi speaking Catechists at Don Bosco Oodlabari, Siliguri from 9-12 February 2023. There were 25 participants from Don Bosco Parish Oodlabari, Don Bosco Parish Siliguri, Don Boscos Parish Katihar and from Saraswatipur Centre.  

The Training programme was coordinated by Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, SDB the Coordinator for Education to Faith (INC). The resource persons for the above said programme were Fr. Arvind Khalko, Fr. Patick Lepcha, Fr. Udaychandra Lakra from Jalpaiguri Diocese and Sr. Basonti Lakra and Grace Guria. Special thanks to Fr. Tijo Thomas the rector, Fr. Jose Pellesary the parish priest, and Fr. Alphonse Soren the bursar of Don Bosco Oodlabari Community for going out of their way to facilitate this training programme. 

The Catechists in general expressed their joy of having the fortune to participate in this training programme and were enriched by this as this was the first training programme ever organised at Oodlabari Parish. They also expressed that the continuation of this training programme would be nice. They even expressed that they could travel even to Nitika to participate. 

The animation of School Catechism/ Catholic Teachers of South Bengal Region was organised at Don Bosco Bandel on 14 January 2023. There were 28 participants from our own Salesian schools of Don Bosco Park Circus, Don Bosco Liluah, Don Bosco Bandel, Don Bosco Kalyani, Don Bosco Monsada, Don Bosco Azimganj and Don Bosco Polsanda. It was a half day animation Programme organised by the Commission for Education to Faith in Collaboration with the coordinator for Education and Culture. Special thanks to Don Bosco Bandel Community for facilitating this Programme. The main resource persons for the animation were Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, SDB and Fr. Nobi George, SDB. The participants were very happy and were grateful for the animation of this kind. They expressed that they didn’t remember of ever having this kind of animation. They also expressed that for this kind of animation even the other catholic teachers could join, as they too would get chance to teach Catechism in the school.  Special thanks to all the school principals who sent their catechism teachers for this animation programme.