A full-day Catechetical Training Programme was held at Nitika Don Bosco in Kolkata for the catechists of Don Bosco HRD Mission Dhobasole. Fr. David Mondal and Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal were the resource persons for the day. They covered topics such as the Sacraments, the Commandments, prayer, and Lectio Divina.

A Workshop for the catechism teachers and animators involved in the preparation of First Holy Communion Children was organised on 20th July 2024 at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata. The course was designed to help the participants to get to know the logistics of planning, preparation and content of the course. The workshop was divided into three parts. The first part covered the logistics as to how and when the planning and preparations should happen. The second part was focused on sacraments in general and later focussing on Eucharist and confession. The final part was on meaning and significance of prayer and teaching children to pray. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, the Catechetical Director of Nitika was the resource person for the workshop. Although 24 participants registered for the workshop, a few were unable to attend. Overall, participants were satisfied with the sessions but felt that the allotted time was insufficient. 

A five-day Course on Marian Dogmas and Devotions was held for the Missionaries of Charity Sisters at Shanti Dan, Kolkata from 8th July to 12th July 2024. There were 27 participants for the course. The course was designed by the Catechetical Centre Nitika. The Marian course consisted of Marian dogmas, Mary in the Church, Mary in the scripture, Role of Mary as New Eve and Queen Mother, Contribution of Popes in the spread of Marian devotion, Major apparitions and Marian shrines in India and abroad, True Devotion to Mary, History and mystery of the Rosary, Study on apostolic exhortation of Pope Paul VI for the right ordering and development of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Marialis Cultus),  Post Apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II on the most Holy Rosary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae) and the Different ways of praying the Rosary.  

The Phase two of Basic Training for Catechists (BTC) in Nepali was organised at Salesian College, Sonada from 21-24 April 2024. This training programme was mainly for the parish lay Catechists. From the 41 registered members 32 turned up for the course. There were Catechists from the Salesian parishes of Malbasy, Mirik, Sonada, Kalimpong, and Dhajea as well as from the non-Salesian Parishes of Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong.  The resource persons for this training programme were Rev. Fr. Laban Lepcha, Fr. Edward Bareto, Fr. Sunil Kerketta, Fr. Patrick Lepcha, Fr. Pritam Barla, Fr. Raymond Tudu and Fr. Kumudo Digal. The participants were very happy and were grateful for the course as it contained very important and apt topics. The course was designed to touch on the Biblical, sacramental, liturgical, moral, pedagogical, Marian, and ecumenical dimensions of our faith. At the end of the three days training programme the participants were given the certificate of participation. Special thanks to Salesian College Studentate Community for facilitating the programme. Thanks to all the parish priests who sent their catechists for the training. The Catechists expressed their eagerness to attend the advanced training programme if organised again at SCS. 

The second phase of Basic Training for Catechists (BTC) in Santhali was organised at Don Bosco Polsonda, Murshidabad from 4-8 March 2024. This training was specifically designed for parish lay/Missionary Catechists. There were altogether 74 participants from Salesian parishes of Azimganj, Berhampore, Joypur, Gazole, Sinnet and Polsonda. The resource persons for this training programme were Rev. Fr. Nanku Nicholas, Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, and Fr. M.C. Joseph. Besides Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, the Provincial of INC, was also present for the last day of the programme. Out of the 74 participants, 56 successfully completed the second phase of training and were given certificates of participation. While the other 18 participants succefully completed the first phase of their training programme. The participants expressed their gratitude and were pleased with the course's design, which focused on the Biblical, sacramental, liturgical, pedagogical, ecclesial, and Marian aspects of faith. The Coordinator of Education to faith Commission extends  special thanks to the parish priests who sent their Catechists for the training. Overall, it was a fruitful experience for all the Catechists.

The phase two of Basic Training for Catechists (BTC) in Hindi was organised at Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata from 5th to 8th February 2024. This training programme was for the parish lay Catechists. Twenty-six members had registered for the same but only twenty-three completed the above said programme. All the Catechists were from our own Salesian parishes of Katihar, Siliguri, Oodlabari and Soroswatipur. The resource persons for this training programme were Rev. Fr. Arvind Khalkho, Fr. Nirmal Toppo, Fr. Fabian Toppo from Morning star College, Fr. Pepin Gnana from the Archdiocese of Kolkata, and Fr. Kumudo Digal. Besides the participants had the opportunity to listen to the inaugural message from Rev. Sunil Kerketta the vice- Provincial and on the third day a session was taken by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria, the Provincial. The participants were very happy and were grateful for the course. They expressed their desire participate in the coming year as well. The course was designed to touch on the Biblical, liturgical, ecclesial, Devotional and Marian dimensions of our faith. Special thanks to all the parish priests who sent their catechists for training. Thanks to Fr. Jijo and the community at Nitika and Provincial House for facilitating the programme. 

Quiz on Bible and Sacraments was organised for the youth gathered at Don Bosco Siliguri for the Youth Fest 2024. There were over 600 youth gathered from various Salesian parishes of Bengal, Sikkim, Bangladesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. There were four participants from each parish. In the written test there were participants from 19 parishes. And in the final show there were participants from 10 parishes. Br. Bernard Mardi SDB was the quiz master of the day.  The quiz had five rounds – Individual round, Group round, Buzzer round, visual round and rapid fire round. In between there were questions for the audience as well. The winners of this quiz competition were awarded with the winner’s trophy and certificate. 

A session on “Youth and Environment” was taken for the young people, of the Province of Kolkata, gathered at Don Bosco Siliguri for Youth Fest 2024. There were over 600 youth both boys and girls gathered for the same. This session was taken in mixed languages of English, Hindi, and Bengali as there were youth from different parts of Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Bangladesh. During the session the young people were made to realise the Encyclical letter of Pope Francis on Laudato Si as well as the Laudato Si Action Platform to make them aware of the importance of taking care of our common Home. They were also suggested with some action plans to be implemented in their personal life, in the family and as a parish community.

A four-day Course on Marian Devotion was held for the junior group of Missionaries of Charity Sisters from 22nd January to 25th January 2024. There were 21 participants for the course. The Marian course consisted of Marian dogmas, Mary in the Church, Mary in the scripture, Role of Mary as New Eve and Queen Mother, Contribution of Popes in the spread of Marian devotion, Major apparitions and Marian shrines in India and abroad, True Devotion to Mary, History and mystery of the Rosary, Study on apostolic exhortation of Pope Paul VI for the right ordering and development of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Marialis Cultus),  Post Apostolic letter of Pope John Paul the Second on the most Holy Rosary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae) and the Different ways of praying the Rosary. 

A half-day Catechetical Seminar was organized by the FMA Sisters of INC at Auxilium Convent Bandel. The seminar was divided into three parts. The first session covered the tasks, sources, and challenges of catechesis in India. The second session focused on the Church and media in the contemporary world. The final session covered digital tools and methods for ministry. Fr. Kumudo Kuriakose Digal, SDB from Nitika Don Bosco, Kolkata, was the resource person for the seminar, and there were 52 participants. The participants were satisfied with the sessions but felt that time was not sufficient to delve into the practical part of the third session. A demo practice of the use of different tools to edit and enhance photos, record, and edit audio and video clips, etc. would have made the seminar more interesting, but that required more time. However, the participants were given notes with necessary tools to explore.