[Fr. peduru Jeevaraj]

Ad normam decreti, very clearly says Catechesis is so basic to the life of every particular Church that "no diocese can be without its own Catechetical Office".
The Second Vatican Council gave much importance to the proclamation and transmission of the Gospel in the Episcopal Ministry. "Among the principal duties of Bishops, that of preaching the Gospel excels". In carrying out this task, Bishops are, above all, "heralds of the faith", seeking new Disciples for Jesus Christ, and "authentic teachers", (LG 25) The Bishops are "beyond all others, the ones primarily responsible for Catechesis and Catechists par excellence".

The Diocesan Catechetical Office (Officium Catechisticum) is "the means which the Bishop as Head of the Community and Teacher of Doctrine utilizes to direct and moderate all the catechetical activities of the diocese". The Diocesan Office (officium catechisticum) was instituted in every Diocese by the decree Provido Sane (1935).

In order prepare those who have responsibility for Catechesis, in Parishes and Vicariates as well as full time Catechists, it is useful and need of the time to provide a Catechetical Office in Kalmunai. Shared Catechetical endeavor is advisable not only for reasons of geographic proximity but also for reasons of cultural homogeneity.

We are proud to announce the opening of another Catechetical Office in the Kalmunai Vicariate which is a long awaited dream which has come true. This Centre will cater to the entire Kalmunai Deanery and will temporarily function in the old Mission House of Sacred Heart Church in Kalmunai. His Lordship, in his address, promised to build a new well equipped Centre in the not too distant future. Classes will be conducted in both Tamil and Sinhala for Catechists as well as Students.

His Lordship took the opportunity to congratulate and thank Rev Sr. Erica AC for accepting her appointment as Co-Director of the Centre and wished her all success and support on this appointment.

Together with His Lordship, the Vicar General, the Catechetical Director, Rev Fathers, Rev Sister and Catechists of the Diocese graced the opening ceremony.

We take this opportunity to congratulate His Lordship Rt Rev Dr Joseph Ponniah for taking this step to improve the implementing the primary responsibility for catechesis in the diocese.

We congratulate the Catechetical Director Rev Fr Julian and the staff buon lavoro!