(ANS – Shillong) – The 19th General Body Meeting of the Indian Catechetical Association (ICA) was held at Bethel Prayer Centre, Shillong, 11-13 February 2015. The 76 participants included priests, religious and laity from across the country, among them many members of the Salesian Family. They deliberated on the Challenges and Concerns of Family Catechesis.
by Fr. Gilbert Choondal, SDB
Seven Salesians participated in the meeting - Fr. Gilbert Choondal (President ICA), Fr. Cletus Dsouza (Secretary ICA), Fr. Jerome Vallabaraj, Fr. Christy Antony, Fr. Bernadino, Fr. Briston and Sr. Caroline, FMA.
A Salesian Co-operator, Ms Milred, gave the keynote address. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB presented a paper, and Fr. Joseph Puthenpurackal SDB presided at the Holy Eucharist.
There was a large number of participants from other Salesian Family groups too - Sisters of Mary Immaculate, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco.
As the Church is moving towards the Synods, the Indian Catechetical Association is reflecting together with the Church on the challenges and concerns of family catechesis. “This basic cell of society and of the Church is going through a social and ecclesiastical evolution. It is our task to reflect, review, renew and respond together to the challenges of family from a catechetical perspective,” said the President during his presentation of the dynamics of the seminar.
In his paper, Archbishop Menamparampil insisted that we need to seek to understand the family in this era when families face a great variety of difficulties.
The final statement of the 19th ICA Meeting invited clergy, religious and laity to accompany the family in mercy and compassion. “Family Catechesis is learning and living the art of accompaniment,” the Statement said.
The 20th ICA Meeting is to be held in Bangalore on the theme, “Catechesis towards a healthy Social Life” on 3-5 February 2016.
Published 20/02/2015
