“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:7
In our diocese, a remarkable 8,517 students actively participate in our Sunday School faith formation programs, guided by 1,660 dedicated catechists. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:5.13, it’s evident that we have a strong team of catechists committed to our mission. These catechists are volunteers who view their service as a vocation, driven by a deep sense of purpose.
Aligned with the traditions of the Syro Malabar Church, our diocese conducts one-hour faith formation classes every Sunday for children aged 4 to 17. These classes are mandatory for all children in the diocese and are systematically held in our parishes and mission stations, except during summer holidays. At the start of each academic year, our bishop sends a pastoral letter to priests, religious, and lay faithful, emphasizing their roles and responsibilities in shaping the faith of our younger generation.
To support our Sunday School faith formation program, we rely on the ‘On the Path of Salvation’ textbook series, spanning from kindergarten to XII grades, prepared by the Syro Malabar Synodal Commission for Catechesis. Additionally, we utilize Teacher’s Guides and supplementary textbooks created by the same commission. Our diocesan catechetical department has also published a workbook series for students of each grade, ensuring a comprehensive faith formation experience that aligns with the liturgical, theological, spiritual, and disciplinary traditions of our Church.
Our faith formation program integrates textbooks from the Syro Malabar Synodal Commission for Catechesis, supplemented by materials like the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholicism series, theology of the body resources, Docat, and Youcat. The Synodal Commission’s website offers a smart catechism program, complemented by audio and video resources, all enriching our diocesan faith formation efforts.
Furthermore, our parishes host a variety of associations, movements, and groups of faithful, often categorized by age, charism, or activities. Some of these, like Holy Childhood, Marian Sodality, Cherupushpam Mission League (supporting vocations and mission work), altar servers, and Jesus Youth, actively contribute to nurturing the Christian faith learned in Sunday school. They help members apply their faith in real-life situations and lead Christian lives with conviction.
