M ore than 150 catechists and pastoral workers have come to CFA this summer to join the Annual Catechetical Congress on this year’s theme “Teaching Styles in Catechesis”. There were 78 participants in the first batch of the Congress held from April 13 to April 18, while 105 are expected in the second batch to be held on May 11 to 16. This is the 18th year that CFA has held a Catechetical Congress.

Sunday being the busiest time for church workers, a quarter of the pre-registered participants had to finish their pastoral assignments in their parishes first before taking a week off to participate in the CFA Congress. However, the majority of the participants worked in schools, and they made it to the Sunday opening.  Albert Saldajeno and his Kalipaya Group (Kairos Pastoral, Liturgical, Theater Ministry) took the lead in the liturgical dances and songs that set the mood for a joyful and fruitful week ahead. Kalipaya is also the title of the new music CD produced by CFA, consisting of 15 new liturgical songs composed and performed by the group.

Monday set a bright and lively tone for the rest of the week as Mr. Saldajeno and his group took the floor and shared many innovative styles and techniques in teaching. It was also a wake-up call for the teachers when Mr. Saldajeno reminded them of the oft-repeated saying, “There is no boring subject, only boring teachers”.

During the workshops, participants were asked to exert extra effort not just cracking their brains but also their bones, to compose their own action songs and use body movements to go with the songs.

Sr. Paz Bandalan, FMA, moved with ease while sharing with the group her expertise in creative teaching styles and activities. Presentations were then made by the groups on their own ideas of more effective teaching methods.

Though a bit tired from the full day activities, participants saw the evening sessions with Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC, of CFA’s Electronic Media Department, not just as a welcome respite, but as an eye-opening session on the pastoral uses of popular films.  It was a time for quiet spiritual reflection when dramatic clips from movies about Jesus were shown for critical analysis.

Wrapping up the Congress experience were the Eucharistic celebration presided over by CFA President Fr. Filoteo Pelingon, MSC, and the distribution of certificates by Fr Pelingon, the Executive Director Ms. Terry Z. Hermano and the Catechetical Resource Center Head Ms Evelyn Alinea. Participants returned to their provinces, after what they considered a very fruitful and grace-filled week.