Herald Malaysia
KUANTAN – The Catechetical Team of the Church of St Thomas the Apostle organised a fun-filled outing for Catechism students from preschool to Form 5, together with their parents and catechists, at ADENA Beach Resort on May 23.
Located about 20 minutes away from the parish, many participants carpooled to the beach resort, adding to the spirit of fellowship and togetherness. The outing proved to be a heartwarming day filled with joy, laughter and strong community spirit as families and students bonded through shared activities and quality time together.
The day began with Mass at the church at 7.30am, a reminder that every gathering begins with God at the centre. After breakfast, the participants carpooled to the resort for a day of fun, fellowship, and togetherness.
The parish youth warmly kicked off the day with ice-breaking activities for the catechism students and led lively praise and worship songs. Dr Jassmine shared an inspiring session for the teenage students on the importance of “standing up for Jesus against bullies.” The teens then broke into small groups to perform sketches addressing current issues, fostering meaningful discussions. Meanwhile, the younger children below Standard 5 enjoyed their own praise and worship sessions and engaged in indoor activities in separate groups.
The weather was really pleasant after lunch, making it perfect for all the outdoor activities we had planned. The parish Catholic university students did a wonderful job organising games and fun activities at the beach for the teenagers and young kids. Many of the younger children experienced simple beach activities, like building sandcastles, for the very first time, creating truly special and memorable moments in their lives. These outdoor games beautifully reminded us of how important it is to build a strong community. It was a time for families, children, and catechists to strengthen bonds of friendship, create joyful memories, and grow together in the spirit of faith and fellowship.
The program concluded with a prize-giving ceremony for the catechism students, followed by words of thanksgiving and appreciation. Heartfelt gratitude was expressed to catechetical coordinator Dorcas Lee, event coordinator Sagaya Raj, and all the catechists for their dedication, hard work and teamwork in making the outing both meaningful and successful.
As a fitting conclusion to the day, the catechists were presented with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their years of faithful service and commitment to the Catechetical Ministry. – Herald Malaysia
