The Annual Retreat and Refresher training for the Catechists of the Archdiocese of Yangon occurred at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church in Insein Township, Yangon, Myanmar, from October 16 to 23.

The Annual Retreat was from October 16 to 19 and the Renewal Course was from October 21 to 23.

Out of 113 Catechists, 97 joined in their annual retreat, and the rest could not join in this retreat because of health issues, age, and other reasons.

The Catechists have experienced Christian Meditation led by His Grace Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay.

Saya Saw Benjamin shared their experience that being with God in silence and praying meditatively guided by Archbishop Marco was unique. It seemed to be difficult and inconvenient in the beginning but the Catechists became fond of the method soon after a certain length of practice.

“The Annual Retreat and Refresher training was an opportunity for fellow Catechists to meet, share their own experiences, and encourage each other,” said Benjamin.  

A Catechist in Hpa Do Parish of Yangon Archdiocese, Teresa Naw Han Htoo, remarked that the Catechists came to realize their need to upgrade their education level and knowledge in this modern time.

“For more effective service, the Catechists need more support in different ways from the leaders of the Church and the Parish Communities,” said Teresa.

Fr. Hyginus Myint Soe, Head of the Yangon Archdiocesan Catechist Commission, plans to organize the Ongoing Formation Program according to their batches.

Fr. Hyginus Myint Soe, Parish Priest of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish shared the Synodal Experiences and Method as he took part in the session for Parish Priests of the Global Synod in Scrofano, Rome, from April 28 to May 2, 2024.

Communal Discernment: Conversation in Spirit was also a new thing for the Catechists with which they understood about Synodality which was underway in the entire Church.

Amid the difficult situation in the Country, Catechists of the Archdiocese serve zealously, generously, and bravely in their mission areas where their service is very supportive of the parishes’ activities.

By RVA Sgaw Karen