To assist the Synodal Commission, a committee is formed with representatives from each eparchy.

• Members: Eparchial catechetical director and two catechist representatives (one religious sister and one lay catechist) from each eparchy, along with catechetical experts nominated by the Synodal Commission
• Meets at least once a year
• Evaluates catechetical activities, identifies challenges, and plans future programs

The Synodal Commission and the SMCC have an office at the Major Archbishop’s Curia, Kakkanad, known as the Syro-Malabar Catechetical Centre. The Secretary of the Synodal Commission is responsible for its management.

Each eparchy has a catechetical department to coordinate, animate, and foster catechetical ministry. It is headed by a Director appointed by the Bishop, assisted by adequate staff.

• Animates catechetical activities in parishes and schools
• Prepares syllabus and curriculum
• Conducts examinations and issues certificates
• Ensures the formation of catechists in the eparchy

The diocesan catechetical director shall be assisted by an eparchial catechetical council consisting of Forane catechetical directors, Forane secretaries, representatives of the promoters and headmasters and five nominees of the Bishop.

This council shall meet at least once in a year to evaluate, plan and organize the catechetical activities of the eparchy.

Each eparchy should have a centre for the efficient conduct of the catechetical department. This centre shall be known as the eparchial catechetical centre. The catechetical department functions under the directorship of a priest appointed by the Bishop with the help of staff working at the centre. It functions as the animation centre for the whole catechetical apostolate of the eparchy.

Each Forane or region should have a director appointed by the Bishop after getting the opinion of the priests from the Forane. In order to assist him in the catechetical activities, there should be a secretary, preferably a religious sister. Promoters may be appointed by the eparchial catechetical director after getting the opinion of the Forane/Regional catechetical council.

The director, secretary, promoters, and the representatives of the headmasters together with the Forane vicar shall be responsible for the coordination and animation of the catechetical activities of the Forane or the region.

In order to assist the catechetical activities of the Forane or region there shall be a Forane or Regional catechetical council. The council consists of the Forane vicar, director, secretary, two representatives of parish priests, catechism promoters from the Forane, and all the headmasters of the Sunday schools. Other representatives may be co-opted if need arises.

• Organizes catechetical activities within the Forane/Region according to the directions of the eparchial catechetical department
• Meets at least once in six months
• Evaluates, plans and strengthens catechetical activities of the Forane/Region

At the parish level, catechetical activities are organized under the directorship of the parish priest. Every parish should have a team of zealous and competent catechism teachers. Every parish should also have a Headmaster or Headmistress to facilitate the catechetical activities of the parish. The parish priest and all the catechism teachers together form the staff council of the parish.

The parish priest is the director of catechism at the parish level. He coordinates catechetical activities according to the directions of the eparchial catechetical department. A team of catechism teachers assists him.

As per eparchial customs, a capable catechism teacher may be selected as Headmaster/Headmistress of the Sunday School by the parish priest after consultation with the staff council. Another teacher is elected by the staff council as secretary to handle correspondence and minutes.

The parish catechism council consists of the parish catechism director, assistant parish priests (if any), headmaster/headmistress, secretary, kaikarns of the parish, superiors of religious houses, at least two representatives of catechism teachers, and a minimum of two representatives of parents.

• Meets at least twice a year to plan and evaluate catechetical activities
• A Parents Teachers Fellowship (PTF/PTA) may support catechetical activities
• Every parish maintains a catechism office for registers, teaching aids, and reference books
• As per eparchial regulations, a portion of parish income is set aside for catechetical activities

The first priority is imparting faith education to children and youth, who are the living presence of the Church and future leaders of faith. In the European context, the new generation is often challenged by secularism, modernism, individualism, relativism, hedonism, consumerism and atheism. Systematic faith education serves as an antidote to these ideologies, and catechesis follows a two-fold emphasis.

Family catechesis emphasizes catechism in the home. Through pastoral visits and preaching, the Apostolic Visitator encourages families to nurture faith through: lex orandi, lex credendi, lex celebrandi and lex vivendi.

Many communities provide parent orientation before the catechism year begins. Occasional seminars, biblical retreats, adult Bible quiz programs, and discussions during pastoral visits support parents in faith formation at home.

Sunday Catechism supports and strengthens faith formation begun in the home. The Visitator repeatedly emphasizes the essential role of parents in the catechetical mission and encourages the faithful to study basic Christian teachings according to the guidance given by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Communities conduct catechism weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly depending on the celebration of Holy Qurbana and facility availability. In some places, catechism is conducted before Holy Qurbana; in others, after Holy Qurbana. Where gathering is limited, online catechesis supports continuity.

1. God the Creator
2. God the Saviour
3. God the Life Giver
4. Streams of Life
5. People who awaited the Redeemer
6. People who experienced Jesus
7. Teachings of Jesus
8. Church: The People of God
9. Church: The Worshipping Community
10. Church: The Missionary Community
11. Christian Life in the Church and Society – Vol. 1
12. Christian Life in the Church and Society – Vol. 2

Yearly written or oral examinations are conducted. Students who pass the exam are promoted to the next class. Scholarship exams are conducted for students who excel, and special prizes are awarded.

• Annual Bible Quiz (Biblia) and seasonal online quiz programs
• Catechism pilgrimages for students and teachers
• Parents and Teachers Meet at the beginning of the year (where applicable)
• Annual Catechism Day / Bible Fest at parish level
• Mission Sunday initiatives (Food Fest, auctions) for charity and mission support
• Alpha Theological Course and Sapientia training programs for catechists
• Catechism Teachers’ Convention to strengthen mission and methodology
• Encouragement for children to join: Holy Childhood, Little Flower Mission League, SM Teens, Altar Servers, Choir

“Sine Domenico non possumus” — Without Sunday, we cannot live.