Catechism is education in the faith of Chi+ldren, youth and adults which includes the teaching of Christian doctrine, imparted in an organic and systematic way, with a view of initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life. It is the mission and task entrusted to the Church by the Lord, to safeguard and impart faith. Catechesis is to present the sacred doctrines of faith and morals, and make it acceptable and experiential to the faithful, especially the children.

2. ACADEMIC YEAR

Sunday School academic year shall be from the second Sunday of September to the second Sunday of July   every year. The church shall take utmost care not to give unnecessary holidays for Catechism classes.

3. CLASSES

As far as possible the church shall conduct classes for all the sections from Jr. Infants to Sr. Leaving Cert. catechesis. Lack of enough number of students and teachers may necessitate clubbing two classes together. In such a situation, the church is free to choose which texts shall be followed in the particular section.

4. CATECHETICAL ASSEMBLY

The Church shall conduct an Assembly prior to Sunday classes. The assembly will consist of a prayer song, a Pledge, introducing Saint and announcing Church news.

5. DURATION

Duration of each catechism classes should be minimum one hour and thirty minutes. The right of arranging extra classes shall be vested on Church.

6. TEXT BOOK AND CALENDAR

Each student shall have a copy of the text book prescribed for the respective section, a note book and the catechetical calendar prepared every year. Catechetical calendar is a handbook with all necessary information on Sunday School academic year.

7. EXAMINATIONS

There shall be two exams in an academic year, semi-annual and annual. Semi-annual examination is Scheduled for January. Annual examination will be on June. 90% of the questions will be based on text book and 10% will be general.

• No semi-annual examination for Infants division.
• Including class two and above written exam and below oral.
• Question papers are prepared by the class teachers and hand over to the Head Master in advance
• Valuation, tabulation and ranking shall be doing by class teachers and hand over to the Head Master for declaration.

8. SYLLABUS

Text books and the portion to be covered each academic year.

9. CATECHISM PRIZES AND AWARDS

1. Each standard will have 1^st, 2^nd study prizes. The students who score top marks will be awarded.
2. The Students who have full attendance will be awarded.

10.  LEAVING CERT EXAM AWARD FROM CATECHISM STUDENTS

Those who get ‘points’ 60% and above are eligible for award consideration. The top 1^st and 2^{nd will} be awarded in the same year.

11. SUNDAY SCHOOL CERTIFICATES

Sunday school certificates shall be given to all the students who complete Sr. Leaving Cert class of the Sunday School.

12. BIBLE QUIZ

Will be arranged from the ‘Sabhayogum’.  All mass centres are expected to participate in it.

13. SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

The school should have a Head Master (HM), sufficient number of teachers and some auxiliary staff for substitution in the case of absence of a regular teacher.

• No class should be missed due to absence of teachers.
• It is advisable that the teachers shall not be shifted from one section to another frequently and unnecessarily.
• Teachers shall be those who are brought up in Catholic faith, frequenting the sacraments, accepted in the community, regular in the class and undergone orientation.
• Teachers shall prepare the lessons in advance.
• They have to give living witness to the children in the community.
• Regular Staff meetings shall be conducted.
• Teachers shall maintain attendance registers.
• HM shall be a parish/mass centre committee member too.
• Sufficient fund should be sanctioned from the parish for catechism.
• Teachers shall report and sign in the register fifteen minutes before the class begin.
• Teachers shall maintain a diary to record portions covered each class
• Teachers shall contact parents periodically regarding their class reports
• Any student is absent for three times consecutively shall report to HM
• Teachers shall fill the application form for volunteer
• Teachers shall fill incident report form, if it occurs during class time or in the premises.
• This is a volunteer service; any kind of benefits shall not payable.

14. TEACHER’S TRAINING PROGRAM

There will be training programmes for Catechism Teachers at least once in a year.

• Orientation Seminar, which will be done in the beginning of the academic year with a view to introduce the text, books, policies, etc.
• One day Training Programs will be arranged in between the academic year to introduce the teachers to different teaching skills and approaches.
• Teachers shall joint together once in three months to pray, discussions, hardships, etc.

15. CATECHETICAL  DAY

Catechetical Day will be celebrated on the feast of St.Alphonsa, here on second Sunday of October, the patron of our community. Ultimate aim shall be the faith formation through different cultural programmes, talented students shall be awarded, teachers shall be honoured on the day, families are gathered together, share the food, etc.

16. CHILDREN’S ACADEMY

It is advisable to conduct short meetings with small cultural programs during important days like Parish feast day, Independence Day, Mission Sunday, Christmas etc. to highlight the importance of the event and to give opportunity to children to develop their talents.

17. CATECHETICAL LIBRARY

It is good to have a library for reference and use of teachers and students. It helps to develop the reading habits of the children especially of spiritual books.

18. SACRAMENTS

Students shall be encouraged to receive sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion frequently.

• They shall be familiarized with prayers and songs of the Holy Mass.
• There shall be special preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. This will start from January second Sunday onwards.
• Students shall be administered First Holy Communion preferably in the second standard.

19. ALTAR SERVERS

Altar Servers shall be trained from among the Sunday School students after their first holy communion.

20. CHILDREN’S CHOIR GROUP

They shall form a student choir group and will give them opportunities to sing during Holy Mass and other occasions.

21. CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence to the Catechetical matters shall be addressed to:

Rev.Fr. Jose Bharanikulangara,

St. Martin De Porres Church,

Tallaght, Dublin 24