I would like to thank each one of you for being available to make the Catechetical year 2009 a success. The children, parents and Religious Formation Ministers played a very important role in making this year a “year of grace".

   My dear Religious Formation ministers you have been the bridge between the parents and Religious Formation program. Your hard work and dedication has been wonderful. This showed that your personal example along with the teaching of the Church helped the children to experience faith in the class rooms. Thank you for bringing the real Christian spirit in the class rooms.

     The children’s participation in all Liturgical activities was remarkable. The children took active part in Advent and Lenten programs, which was very encouraging to me. The First Holy Communion brought real enthusiasm and the participation of children and parents was wonderful. The children looked cute in their First Holy Communion dresses and suits. 

     Dear parents I was so impressed by your cooperation in supporting the children and the religious Formation program, this cooperation helps us all to experience Christ in our lives and very especially with the children. The children were able to gain and learn only due to your commitment and cooperation

     The very basic role of the religious Formation Office is to provide the basic tools to children so that they are able to live their Catholic faith. We emphasize the role of children and parents in sacramental life of the Church.

     As we read in Isaiah “We are the clay, and thou are potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:7.  The children are like clay in the hands of the parents and Religious Formation ministers. Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the parents and Religious Formation ministers to form the children in such way that they become true messengers and witnesses of Christ in the world so that through their actions and words they may be able to witness Christ and accomplish His Kingdom.

     Besides Religious Formation it is actually the parents who are the primary educators of their children in the Catholic Faith. It is the parents who live with their children with Catholic values and culture in their homes. It is the family which is the domestic Church for a Child. Pope John Paul the second referred family as “ Domestic Church ” for it is with in the family that we form our first Ideas about life and love, and about God and His Church.
 
     The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:  “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called "the domestic church," a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity."  (1666)

     In order to make children true followers of Christ, I would encourage every one  to make sure that children come for Sunday Mass and other Liturgical activities.  Every Sunday is a mini Easter, by encouraging Children for Sunday Mass it means we are encouraging them to experience the Resurrection of Christ every week.
Let us work together to share with our children what God has given us.

May the Risen Lord continue to bless you and your loved ones abundantly.
Sincerely in the Risen Lord,

Mariam Nawab, Parish Catechetial Leader (PCL)
Office of Religious Formation