Lahore – August 2025: The Catechists Commission of the Archdiocese of Lahore, under the pastoral leadership of His Grace Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, successfully organized the Annual Refresher Course for Catechists at the Arooj-e-Mariam Renewal Centre. The month-long program was conducted in four groups (July 30–August 2, August 6–9, August 20–23, and August 27–30), bringing together catechists from across the Archdiocese for prayer, formation, and renewal in their ministry of evangelization.
Organizers and Coordination
The refresher course was coordinated by Rev. Fr. Philip John, Secretary of the Catechists Commission, together with Babu Ilyas Mehnga, Office Secretary, who carefully managed all logistical and pastoral arrangements. Their dedication ensured the smooth running of all four sessions and provided catechists with a meaningful environment for learning and community building.
Program Structure
Each group followed a similar program spread over four days:
- Day One: Orientation sessions led by Fr. Philip John and Mr. Babu Ilyas Mehnga, introducing the objectives of the course and fostering fellowship among participants.
- Day Two: A theological and pastoral session on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist delivered by Rev. Fr. Amjad Yousaf, exploring its biblical foundation, historical development, magisterial teaching, and relevance for catechesis today.
- Day Three: A session on the Sacrament of Confirmation conducted by Rev. Fr. Joseph Shahzad, highlighting its scriptural roots, development in the life of the Church, and its role in strengthening Christian discipleship and mission.
- Daily Eucharist: The Holy Mass was celebrated by various priests, including Fr. Amjad Yousaf, Fr. Akram Javed, and Fr. Philip John, nourishing catechists in the heart of Christian life.
Episcopal Encouragement
The highlight of each group’s final day was the session with Church leadership. For the first two groups, Archbishop Benny Mario Travas met personally with the catechists, listening to their concerns, encouraging their vocation, and affirming their essential role in the Church’s mission of evangelization. He also presided at the concluding Eucharistic Celebration, praying for renewed strength and zeal in their ministry.
For the third and fourth groups, the Archbishop delegated Rev. Fr. Asif Sardar, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, who carried forward the same pastoral encouragement and celebrated the concluding Mass with the catechists.
Closing of the Course
On the final day of the fourth group, Babu Ilyas Mehnga expressed heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God and to all who contributed to the success of the refresher course. Special thanks were extended to Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, Fr. Asif Sardar (VG), Fr. Joseph Shahzad, Fr. Amjad Yousaf, and Fr. Akram Javed for their presence, guidance, and celebration of the sacraments. He also acknowledged the staff of the Arooj-e-Mariam Renewal Centre for their generous care and hospitality.
Building Up the Faithful
The Annual Catechists’ Refresher Course once again affirmed the Archdiocese of Lahore’s commitment to ongoing formation, pastoral care, and missionary renewal of catechists, who remain at the heart of parish life and faith transmission in Pakistan. Rooted in the Word of God and strengthened by the sacraments, catechists were reminded of their noble calling to “teach what the Church teaches” and to live as faithful witnesses of Christ in their communities.
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