Dear People of God,
As we continue our journey of nurturing faith in our communities, I wish to share with you an important announcement regarding an adjustment to our celebrations of Catechetical Sunday. After much prayerful discernment together with the Malaysian Catechetical Commission, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has endorsed the proposal for Catechetical Sunday to be observed on the first Sunday of August, instead of the last Sunday of January, as has been our custom.
By shifting to August, we trust it would allow us more breathing room for the various programs in our dioceses and parishes especially in the beginning of the year, as well as to focus more intentionally on our work of catechesis. As we transition to this new schedule, I encourage all our faithful to embrace this change as an opportunity to strengthen our efforts in nurturing the faith of our community.
Furthermore, while Catechetical Sunday itself will be celebrated on the first Sunday of August, this dedication towards catechesis may be extended for the whole month of August, according to the discretion of the local Bishop. Additionally, the commissioning of catechists may continue to take place earlier in the year, or in August. This too shall be according to the discretion of the local Bishop, according to the needs of the diocese. This flexibility will allow each diocese to discern the most suitable time for this important event.
On behalf of the Bishops of Malaysia, I express my deep gratitude to our parents, guardians, catechists and priests. Thank you for your labour of love in this important ministry of catechesis. I invite you to continue walking together, as we strive for a strong foundation for our future. May the Lord bless us abundantly, and grant us grace and wisdom in our mission.
Yours in Christ,
+Rt. Rev. Joseph Hii Teck Kwong, D.D.
Episcopal President
Malaysian Catechetical Commission
