Amidst pandemic, a fresh start for the catechists of the Diocese of Daet

By Myra Sapinoso

The pandemic put the Church’s activities on hold for almost two years. Everything was halted. It was like winter time.

But the year 2022 brought a spring of hope when COVID seemingly subsides. It’s spring time!

Indeed it is! The Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Diocese of Daet through its office, the Mater Vitae Catechetical Center (MVCC) in collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas, Institute in Religion made a fresh start by offering a Certificate in Religious Education (CReEd) for catechists. The enrollees patiently and faithfully hurdled for five (5) Fridays and Saturdays (November 4-December 6) by blended learning-formation for sound understanding of faith (orthodoxy).

With God’s unfailing grace, 88 catechists attended the Recollection in Adorno Father’s Seminary, Sto. Domingo, Vinzons, Camarines Norte on December 9, 2022 and received the Certificate in Education given by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas last December 10 at eight o’clock in the morning at the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral of Daet. The Graduation Mass and Commissioning Rites were officiated by His Excellency Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, Bishop of Daet and Rev. Fr. Omar C. Oco, Director of Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education.

Summer time awaits these 88 catechists - 72 lay from 21 parishes, 2 public school teachers,

8 parochial school teachers, 5 nuns from 4 congregations, and a priest and a brother from the Clerics of Regular Minor as they go forth and teach the Good News to peripheries and to practice what they preach (orthopraxis).