Graduation of 20 Maryvale Diploma Holders highlights the event

Nearly 600 catechists, prayer group animators and volunteers from over 20 parishes across the Vicariate of Arabia and the represesntatives from the Vicariate of Kuwait gathered for the Seventh annual Christian Faith Formation Conference held from January 29-30, 2010, at St Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali.

Welcoming the delegates, Rev Fr Eugene said his parishioners have opened their hearts and the doors to the conference delegates who have come from far and wide.

Rev Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich, a sister of Notre Dame, USA (author of 'Saints Kit' and other books) was the keynote speaker at the conference that was titled "The Praying Catechist". Other guest speakers included Wisam Khadouri, catechetical coordinator from Maryvale Institute (MCC) in London, Deacon Pedro O'Hagen, SdeJ from Spain, Rev Fr Michael Bibi, Director of MCC studies in Cameroon and Rev Fr Anthony Fernandes, Director of the Archdiocesan Youth Centre in Mumbai (India).

 

 

 

 

 

 

In her keynote address titled "Intimacy with Jesus Christ", Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich spoke about how God's love empowers us and strengthens us spiritually. Quoting scriptures, she pointed out the extent of God's love and emphasized that a catechist's role has to aim at putting people in communion with Jesus Christ.

She added: "Ignorant of scriptures is ignorant of Christ," and urged the delegates to go through the four stages of love - by showing their act of physical presence, communication through openness with one another, surrender oneself through mutual possession and identity through union with Christ. She illustrated the examples of Mother Mary, John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene who through their vulnerability, mutuality and presence showed us the way to come closer to God.

Rev Sr Kathleen encouraged the catechists to play their roles effectively as 'proclaimers' of the Word of God and offered tips on "setting the world afire for Christ."  She said "Christ's love illuminates, purifies, warms, refines and renews the earth."

The conference also witnessed Deacon Pedro O'Hagen SdeJ speaking about 'God's call', Rev Fr Michael Bibi describing his work in his home country Cameroon, Rev Fr Anthony Fernandes speaking about Jesus' love and the importance of bringing up youth on the right path, and Wissam Khadouri speaking about of Mother Mary as the living catechism and the mother and model of catechists.

Various workshops popularly known as break out sessions were conducted by the guest speakers and by experts in the field such as Steven R. Hemler, who has a master's in pastoral studies from the Loyola College in Chicago, Sr Magdalene Longeran, a Comboni Missionary Sister and the official councilor of St Mary's Church in Dubai; David Abrio, a member of the Legion of Mary and a Catechist also from St Mary's Dubai; Merwyn Patrao, head of Catechism from St Michael's Church in Sharjah and Sr Warde Maksour of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Congregation.

  

  

Second day, Sunday 30 January being the 6^th anniversary of H E Bishop Paul Hinder's Ecclesiastical Ordination as the Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, the Eucharistic celebration was a thanksgiving mass concelebrated by the Bishop.  In his homily the Bishop referred to the day's Gospel reading and urged the delegates, to have faith in Jesus, who is with us in this boat which is taking us to the 'other side'.  At the conclusion of the mass 20 catechists who graduated in the two year Maryvale Certificate in Catechesis course were felicitated by handing over their diploma certificates.

 

After the Holy Mass, His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder released a new music CD brought out in celebration of the Year of the Priests by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.

 

 

 

At the concluding ceremony, Msgr Francis Jamieson, Vicar General and the Director of the Christian Formation Office was felicitated by the catechists for his many years of dedicated service.

 

As the seventh edition of the Faith Formation Conference drew to a close, the participants were inspired and refreshed in faith by the multi-dimensional aspects of the scriptures as explained by the experts.