HONG KONG (SE): The Diocesan Catechetical Centre held its 56th graduation ceremony for the graduates of its two-year Catechetical Training Diploma Courses online on December 6, as public Masses were suspended due to the fourth wave of Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Long service awards were also given to catechists of adult catechumen classes and Sunday schools.
The ceremony was officiated by John Cardinal Tong Hon, the apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, assisted by Deacon Faustus Lam Sair-ling.
Using the example of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Matthew, Cardinal Tong reminded people to always be prepared to meet Jesus and experience his presence, especially during Mass. He also encouraged graduates to spread the good news in their role as catechists.
Representing the graduates of the training course, Wong man-wai received the graduation certificates on behalf of his classmates from the cardinal.
“I know there will be different challenges in the future under the pandemic, but this is a chance for us to strengthen ourselves with our faith in God,” Wong said during the online ceremony.
Wong told the Kung Kao Po that he had been assisting with the adult catechumen class in his parish before he joined the two-year course. The class, suspended at the beginning of the pandemic, is now held online.
On the other hand, he had to attend the online classes of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre. His practical training was also disrupted as he had to wait until face-to-face classes resumed.
He shared that while preparing online classes for his parish, he had to search for more multimedia materials to enrich his lessons. However, he pointed out that face-to-face lessons are always better as they allow in-depth exchange of ideas.
Victoria Yeung Yuk-lin, director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, explained that the training courses over the past two years were challenged by social unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic as the mode of teaching had to be switched from time to time. However, she is happy to see that students persevered in attending classes, completed practical training, passed oral examinations and became qualified catechists. She is grateful to God for what they were able to achieve.
This year there are 74 graduates from 18 parishes, 10 secondary schools, 20 primary schools and three kindergartens. Apart from lay people, four religious sisters from two congregations also joined the course.
Thirty catechists who have taught adult Christian initiation classes or Sunday school for 25, 30, 35 or 40 years were honoured with long-service awards.
