An ongoing Formation Program for Junior Catechists in Yangon Archdiocese took place from January 13, to February 27, 2025, at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church, Yangon, Myanmar.

The program is arranged by the Catechist Commission of the Yangon Archdiocese headed by Rev. Fr. Hyginus Myint Soe.

Before the ongoing formation program, Fr. Hyginus encouraged the participants to be willing for personal change, to learn, to serve as the leaders, to love God and men, to be healed and help others to recover from their sufferings and scourges with compassionate hearts.

“I am quite satisfied with the program and participation. I hope that the catechists continue the mission of God with fresh energy and renewed enthusiasm and joy in their respective parishes,” Fr. Hyginus said.

The program aims to renew one’s commitment to follow Jesus as a catechist and to become more aware of oneself, to enhance vocational gifts, to be more professional in ministry, to enhance the capacity to lead the people entrusted to their care, to learn more effective means to teach catechism and to preach and to accompany the children, the youth, and adults in faith formation.

“From the trauma healing subject, we were equipped with the knowledge of how to help and assist the people in times of war and instability in our country, especially in this present moment,” said Isbella Mu Hsar, the secretary of the Archdiocesan Catechists.

Junior catechists currently serving their parishes completed a two-year Bible training program at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church, the Yangon Archdiocese’s catechist center, took part in the ongoing formation program.

This formation program was especially for those under ten years of service as Catechists.  

There were 30 participants in this formation program.

“From the lecture on the Art of listening, we could learn about how to listen to ourselves and how to listen to others, which is very helpful to take care of ourselves and others,” said Rita Thet Mar, a Catechist and a participant of the ongoing formation training.

This is the very first program initiated by Rev. Fr. Hyginus Myint Soe, the Archdiocesan Director of the Archdiocesan Catechists, who is also the Parish Priest of St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church.

This ongoing program comprises different subjects, such as;

1. Arts of Listening by Sr. Agnes of the Good Shepherd’s Congregation from January 13 to 17
2. Bible Study on Torah in the Old Testament by Rev. Fr. George Shwe Tun, Head of National Bible Apostolate from January 20 to 25
3. Trauma Healing by Saya Christopher Ling Thang and Group from January 27 to 31
4. Accounting by Sayama Helen Soe from February 3 to 7
5. Synodal Leadership Training by Rev. Fr Hyginus Myint Soe from February 10 to 14
6. Flowers and Words Decoration by Rev. Fr. Joachim Nay Lin from February 17 to 21.

The program was followed by a quarterly Retreat, which lasted for 4 days, that was on February 23, 24, 25. The Meeting of the participants followed on February 26 and 27.

Many years in the past, only the yearly retreat and some renewal courses were organized for the Catechists, which was usually in October.

By Fr. Saw Hubert