Hear from our Catechists, Students and Parents who share with us their experience of receiving faith formation solely through online means.
“I have been attending e-Catechism since 14 March and I would like to thank my catechist, Aunty Berlina, for taking the effort to arrange the Zoom sessions. She has made the sessions feel just like how our usual catechism lessons should be. Some of the benefits of e-Catechism is that even though we cannot meet physically during the circuit breaker, I could still meet the kids in my new class and I was quite pleased to see Amelie who had been in my previous class last year. The Zoom platform was very effective as I had no problem connecting and I could hear and see everyone clearly. I found that journaling, spot the difference, quizzes and taking turns to read made the lessons interesting. The weekly sessions helped me to prepare for the Stations of the Cross, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. I also found the duration of each session to be just right. For future sessions, I hope to see more sharing of personal stories and what the others did during the circuit breaker to improve their spiritual life.”
-Reflection by Mary Gomez (L5 youth)
“Even though e-Catechism took place at home, I was not really involved in the process as Mary could set up her prayer place in our prayer room independently. My main task was to ensure that Mary was well prepared and attended all sessions. I told her that I was happy that there were individuals who were willing to spend their time and effort on a Saturday morning to bring Christ to her. For this, a big Thank You to all catechists who have made this possible.
Although I did not delve into what she had learnt during e-Catechism, I am sure that the awareness of Lent, Easter and Pentecost was taught and thus better prepare Mary for the liturgical seasons of our faith. I am really thankful that social media can be used in such positive ways to bring Christ to our kids.”
-Reflection by Michael Gomez (Parent)
“It seemed like just yesterday when we met the parents of our level 1 session. That was 11 January 2020 and we were looking forward to start the new term and see the little faces. Then the unexpected global pandemic interrupted our plans. With the sessions suspended, we had to think of how to shift the sessions and connect with the children.
Parents had to take on the primary and secondary role as a catechist, sharing with their children the written materials and activities sent to them weekly. Subsequently, we added our own videos and narrations with the materials so that the children could have some visuals to help them understand the session better. Somehow we felt it was not enough as we were not getting to know the children. After a lot of discussion and prayer, we decided to move our sessions online. Following a zoom meet with the parents, the online sessions started on 2 May 2020. We were all very excited and so were the kids – all 38 of them!
After struggling with some technical issues like changing names, going offline and mixing up class timings (as our sessions were combined), we started our first session on the Good Shepherd. The children were all familiar with the online learning since schools had already shifted to home-based learning. It also helped that the parents were involved in the first few sessions, especially when we introduced the signs of Baptism through lighting the Baptismal candle.
The catechists had many parts to play as well; handling the slides for the online sessions, teaching, narrating, singing, taking attendance and managing the online admission of the children. It seemed overwhelming at first, but once everyone settled in, we began to enjoy the session. Together with the children, we prayed, listened and even sang. We were also encouraged when the children shared their responses to our ‘wonder’ questions. Some even wrote on the online chat that they enjoyed the songs Played! We could feel that the Holy Spirit was with us.
While the pandemic had brought about many challenges, it made us think out of the box and brought out the creativity in us. We were hesitant to use social media for our catechism sessions as some of us were not so ‘techie’ but we felt that we had to embrace the change and make adjustments. It was all fun learning about zoom, video recording even setting the zoom virtual background to resemble our actual prayer space. After all, we had one focus in mind; to nurture the children’s faith and bring them closer to Jesus.”
–Caroline Cheah (Level 1 Catechist)
“There were lots of uncertainties about e-Catechism at the beginning – would it be effective, would we be able to hold the children’s attention, would we be able to overcome the technical hurdles as not all of us were familiar with zoom. With parent’s support, the team coming together to find ways to improve after every session, and lots of prayers, we thank God that things got better and smoother as we went along. The children responded, attendance was good and most importantly, we were able to help them continue their faith journey despite this pandemic. Praise God!”
–Richard Tan (Level 6 Catechist)
“In the beginning of the year, I was worried for my child as she was newly transferred to SVDP, knowing no-one. Then with the COVID-19 situation, Catechism was put on hold and I was worried again for her faith journey. Thanks to all the L6 Catechists who turned the traditional classroom style into e-Catechism.
That eased her in well and she also benefited as she could voice her response via the chatroom. The COVID-19 situation will be not be over so soon, however I am glad that all the children are able to attend e-Catechism.”
-Natasha (Parent / Assist Catechist)
Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”
Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
True to His words, Jesus’ mission to us to spread His teaching and His love knows no boundaries. His love has no end. If St Peter and St Paul today had the interest and were able to deliver their messages via Zoom, can you imagine how it would be? But this is not their time. Its OUR time. It is our time now as catechists to step into the roles of St Peter and St Paul to deliver and continue Jesus mission to spread His teachings, His love to all.
The church and the people today are now living in the most unanticipated event in recent History. But God, Jesus never fails, His gifts of intelligence and ideas to man has ensured His words are well delivered to his sheep. 2000 years ago, it was paper and pen. Today it is technology and the responses are no different from then to now. There are people who will listen to the word of God and there are people who will not. But it’s our will, our choices, our decision to want to hear.
Certainly, a big change in the ministry of catechism, many brave catechists have to re-learn, re-train, take big steps to learn many new things outside their comfort zone. Coming up with innovative ideas, engaging via zoom and other means, all for the love in continuing where St Peter and St Paul has left off, and that’s delivering Jesus’ message to the children. One mission in common.
COVID-19 has “forced” a new era not only for Christians but for all other religions as well. This clearly shows, GOD is very much in time with technology and the world. More masses are now on YouTube, accessibility to live feed to famous religious sites and last but not least, the spread of Jesus’ teachings continues.
Jesus will always give us the wisdom and the tools necessary to continue his work like HE always does. David and Goliath. Or HE can literally make HIS way known to us. Jonah and the fish. In all, we must embrace the “NOW” and that’s making sure the mission to spread Jesus’ teachings continues.
–Gabriel Boey (Level 8 Catechist)