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.