Report of The Syro-Malabar Synodal Commission For Catechesis 2007-2008

The Syro-Malabar Synodal Commission for Catechesis is happy to present before the honorable Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church the report regarding its main activities and functioning from August 2007 till July 2008. Since August 2007 the Syro-Malabar Catechetical Committee held five expert committee meetings, two special committee meetings, and one Catechism Directors meeting. As a result of our work we could publish the catechism text books for Std. XI in Malayalam, Std. VII, VIII, & IX in English. The details of the activities are given below:

Expert Committee meetings
In order to prepare the drafts of the textbooks for Std. XI & XII the expert committee held five meetings at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Although the plan was to publish the text books for Std. XI & XII together in 2008, because of the lack of time and considering the difficulties in publishing both textbooks together the Bishops’ Commission has decided to publish in 2008 only the textbook for std. XI. The drafts of the textbook for std. XI, approved by the experts committee, were sent to the diocesan directors to get their opinions and suggestions for the improvement of these texts. After incorporating the main suggestions from the diocesan centers the texts were presented

Special Committee Meeting
Two Special committee meetings were held in order to discuss and finalize the text book for Std. XI. The first Special Committee of the Bishops was held on 21st & 22nd January 2008. This committee discussed in detail the final draft of the textbook for Std. XI and proposed substantial changes for the draft. Hence they had decided to gather once again after getting incorporated the corrections and suggestions by the bishops. The second Special Committee Meeting of Bishops was held together with the expert committee members and the Diocesan Catechism Directors on 27th & 28th February 2008 at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. Seven bishops participated in it. The main agenda was the approval of the Catechism Textbook for Std. XI. The committee discussed in detail the draft text of the Std. XI and approved the same with some corrections and adaptations.

Publication of Textbook: Std. XI
Having incorporated the suggestions and corrections given by the Special Committee of Bishops and having received the permission from the Major Archbishop Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the Syro-Malabar Synodal Commission for Catechesis published the textbook for Std. XI on 13th May 2008. On this occasion we extend our sincere thanks to the members of the expert committee, especially to Rev. Fr. Jose Puthiyedath and Sri Shaji Malipara who prepared the draft text for std. XI. We remember with thanks all the members of the expert committee and all others who contributed to the publication of this textbook. This year we have printed forty four thousand copies each for Std. I to IV; forty thousand each for Std. V and VI, thirty five thousand each for Std. VII and VIII; and Thirty five thousand each for Std. IX , X and XI. All the more, we are happy to inform you that, now these texts are used for catechesis in all the Syro-Malabar dioceses of Kerala.

English Edition of Catechism Text Books
Together with the publication of the Malayalam textbook for Std. XI, we are happy to inform you that we could also publish the English Edition of the Catechism Text Books for Std. VII, VIII and IX. On this occasion we extend our sincere thanks to all who contributed to the publication of these English edition text books. In a special way we extend our sincere thanks to Sr. Sergius CMC, Dr. Jose Kuttiyanickal, and Prof. Marykutty Thomas who prepared the draft text of these books respectively.

Kannada Translation
Another important event in the activities of the SMCC is the publication of the Kannada translation of these textbooks. Last year we could publish textbooks for Std. V to VI. This year we could also publish the textbook for Std. VII &VIII. On this occasion we extend our sincere thanks to Bp. Lawrence Mukkuzhy, the Bishop of Belthangady and to Fr. Sunny Alappatt the director of the Catechetical Centre, Belthangady for the leadership they took for the publication of these texts. Now they are proceeding with the translation of the textbooks for Std. IX & X.

The Hindi translation
One of the important events in the catechetical history of our Church is the publication of the Hindi Translation of our Catechism Texts. The Catechetical Committee for the North Indian Missions published the Hindi translation of textbooks for Std. V &VI, in June 2007. This year they have published the text books for std. VII &VIII. On this occasion we express our sincere thanks to Bishop Sebastian Vadakel, the Convener of this committee, and all the experts who contributed to the publication of these textbooks.

Our Future Plans
The expert committee meeting held on 22nd and 23rd July at Mount St. Thomas discussed about the future plans. We have decided to prepare and publish the textbook Std. XII. With this purpose in mind we have already started the works for the preparation of the primary draft for std. XII. The preparations for the publication of the English edition of textbooks for the Std. X & XI are also on its track. We have also a plan to publish a final edition of this text book series with all corrections and minor adaptations if needed. We have also planned to have two expert committee meetings on 22 & 23 September and on 11 & 12 November at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad. Both of them are meant for the discussion on the draft of the textbook for Std. XII. We are also trying to publish this year the teachers guide for Std. VIII, IX & X. We hope to finish everything in time.

Training Program for Resource Team
This year as per the request of the diocesan catechism directors we could organize a training program at Mount St. Thomas Kakkanad on 24th & 15th May 2008, for the catechism resource team members from 10 dioceses. Thirty eight persons participated in this training program. Fr. Jose Puthiyedath, Fr. Jolly Vadakkan, and Sri Shaji Malipara conducted the classes and training programs introducing the text book for Std XI. This training program was a wonderful experience for the participants. They also suggested toorganize more training programs for the catechism teachers and resource team in order to update them with new catechetical approaches and methods.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Synodal commission we express our hearty thanks to all who cooperated with us in the completion of these works. In a special way we express our sincere thanks to His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil for his whole hearted support and encouragement. We also express our sincere gratitude to all the Bishops of the Synod, especially the Bishops of the Special Catechism Committee, for your words of encouragement and support. Expecting your continued support and requesting your valuable prayers and blessings,