NEWS

Catechism Day 2026 Celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Hospet  

Catechism Day 2026 was solemnly celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Hospet, on 15th February 2026. The event was jointly organised by the Parish Pastoral Council, the Commission for Bible & Faith Formation, and the Commission for Liturgy, Proclamation & Evangelisation. The occasion served as a thanksgiving celebration for the abundant blessings received throughout the catechetical year by the children, teachers, and faith formators who diligently contributed to the smooth conduct of catechism classes.

The celebration began with a reverent Eucharistic procession. During the entrance procession, the catechism children respectfully offered flowers before the Holy Bible as a symbolic gesture of gratitude and devotion. This act signified the central role of the Word of God, from which they draw grace, understanding, and spiritual wisdom. The entire Eucharistic celebration was beautifully animated by students from various catechism classes, who actively participated in the readings, offertory, choir, and altar service. The liturgy was prayerful and uplifting. The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Gregory D’Souza, Parish Priest.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, a formal stage programme was conducted in the parish hall. The dignitaries present included Rev. Fr. Gregory D’Souza, Parish Priest; Mr. Vivian Colaco, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mr. Pascal Nazareth, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council; Mr. Winston Sequeira, Coordinator of the 21 Parish Commissions; Mrs. Sylvia Rodrigues, Coordinator of the Commission for Bible & Faith Formation; and Mr. Deepak Cutinha, Secretary of the Commission for Bible & Faith Formation.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome address delivered by Mr. Deepak Cutinha, who greeted the gathering and invited the dignitaries onto the stage. Each guest was courteously received with a rose as a mark of honour and appreciation. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed, symbolising knowledge, faith, and enlightenment.

Mr. Deepak Cutinha then presented the annual report, outlining the various catechetical activities conducted during the academic year 2025–26. He detailed the structured timeline, special initiatives, examinations, and spiritual programmes that shaped the formation journey of the students.

In his address, Rev. Fr. Gregory D’Souza reflected on the significance of catechism in contemporary times. He emphasised the relevance of faith formation in nurturing responsible and compassionate individuals. Referring to the “Year of Children” declared by the Diocese of Mangalore, he encouraged the young students to make the year purposeful through sincerity, kindness, obedience, and faithfulness in their daily lives. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to the teachers, faith formators, parents, and students for their commitment and cooperation throughout the catechetical year. He concluded by conveying his best wishes to the students for their forthcoming academic examinations.

Breakfast was subsequently served to all the children, parents, and parishioners who had gathered for the celebration, fostering fellowship and community bonding.

The cultural segment that followed added vibrancy to the occasion. Students from various classes presented skits and dances inspired by Biblical narratives, parables of Jesus, and the inspiring lives of saints. Each performance conveyed powerful moral messages and reflected the dedication of the teachers who meticulously trained the children to communicate these spiritual themes effectively.

The programme concluded with the prize distribution ceremony. Awards were presented to students who secured the highest marks in the annual catechism examinations, achieved outstanding attendance percentages, and maintained neat and creative notebooks. Teachers were also honoured with tokens of appreciation in recognition of their dedicated service and invaluable contribution to faith formation.

The celebration concluded on a note of gratitude and joy, marking a memorable milestone in the parish’s catechetical journey.