DIRECTOR SPEAKS

Dear All,

The Catechesis Department in the newly raised Eparchy of Gurgaon awakens to a fresh dawn realizing an ever more urgency in and priority for the faith formation and work of evangelization while continuing from the footprints left behind by persons who aimed higher and thought bigger. The great legacy handed over to the Diocese from the great stalwart Berchmans Aachan is praiseworthy who was instrumental in the field of Catechesis, even to the extent of preparing a separate text book for ETRI. Rev. Fr.Verghese Valikodath worked tirelessly while being appointed as the Director of Catechism Department in animating the different Zones of erstwhile ETRI, into drawing up a fully fledged academic year, centralizing the examinations and its evaluation system and creating a data base of the students enrolled and staff engaged. Rev. Fr. Vinayanand Aachan’s contribution was a class apart whose very personality and life based on a strong character and sound oriental spirituality added flavor to the Department.

The new Diocese is a mission diocese and a missionary spirit permeates it. The mission has undoubtedly on one hand, given a new dimension to the identity and ecclesiology of the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church, yet on the other hand has placed an added responsibility of handing down the apostolic church’s oriental practice and belief in its entirety. The Catechesis Department of Gurgaon Diocese is called to undertake this adventurous journey of faith formation. It provides for an opportunity to bloom into new and unseen horizons while remaining firmly rooted in its historical and liturgical heritage. The challenging call is to influence the believing community and helping them articulate an authentic Oriental Catholic faith while at the same time willingly accepting to be influenced by the same.

A focused, determined and clear vision for an authentic and sound catechesis in the diocese will pave way for a socio-culturally textured evangelization in the geographical areas mandated to us. God has blessed us abundantly and our Patron and Father Mar Ivanios continues to pray for us. We can no longer remain confined. Let us all join hands in the proclamation of the great revelation.

-Rev. Fr. Mathew (Jigmy) Koodaparambil (FORMER DIRECTOR, Dept. of Catechesis)

Wednesday 7 September 2016

A MESSAGE FROM A TEACHER

There was once a poor little boy with 5 sisters studying in a remote village.
He never thought about his poverty or the lack of basic facilities but always gave his best. After his class 12 exams he tried for IIT as would any other science student and cleared it with his brilliance and hard work without any extra coaching or reference books.
He went home all excited and broke the good news to his family. His father was overwhelmed but replied,"Son, I am glad that you cleared the entrance exam of the most prestigious institution in the country but unfortunately I cannot afford it. Why don't you continue your education in some government college here only." The young boy was sad but not dejected,  took it up as a challenge to always excel in whatever he did.
This young lad who grew up into a fine man with a great value system is none other than the founder of Infosys Narayana Murthy- the pioneer of India's software industry, showing millions of Indians that it is possible to gain wealth legally and ethically. Today he is an icon of simplicity, uncompromising quality and a great philanthropist.
Many times I have come across students blaming circumstances. Let this story inspire you to dream big.
Be focused and study hard because all others may leave you but a good education will always stand by you.
You may find studying difficult, boring or a drudgery today but the stones you carry now will become Gold one day. If you on the other hand you decide to relax and waste your time in meaningless conversations then your life will reveal the consequences of your action today.
It's time to Act.
Speak less Work more.
-MATHEW K. THOMAS
(The author teaches Mathematics in Don Bosco School in New Delhi. The above article was posted on his facebook page on Teacher's Day in the year 2016.)
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