Teacher catechists from Catholic-founded primary and secondary schools in Rushoroza Deanery have been commissioned to strengthen evangelization in schools, with Church leaders urging them to combine sound catechesis with the witness of Christian life.
The one-day formation seminar, held at Rushoroza Hill, brought together teacher catechists from the parishes of Rushoroza Cathedral, Christ the King Kabale, Kyanamira, Buhara, Karujanga and Rwanyena. The program, organized by the Kabale Diocesan Education Department in collaboration with the Liturgy and Catechesis Commission, sought to renew their missionary zeal and equip them for their pastoral ministry.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Raymond Ariho, Organizing Secretary of the Diocesan Liturgy and Catechesis Commission, said the seminar was intended to empower and officially commission teacher catechists as collaborators in the Church’s mission of evangelization. “There are many ministries in the Church, but one mission: evangelization,” he said.
He underscored the complementary roles of parish catechists and teacher catechists, noting that while parish catechists accompany children during holidays and parish programs, teacher catechists are to journey with them throughout the school year.
Reflecting on the teaching of recent Popes, Mr. Ariho recalled Pope Francis’ invitation to catechists to share a living experience of faith that bears fruit in others. He also referred to Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for catechists to guide young people with wisdom, helping them grow in responsibility while using modern technology responsibly. Quoting Pope Leo XIV’s recent message to catechists in Vietnam, he reminded participants that they are “living signs of God’s love” entrusted with handing on the faith to younger generations.
Mr. Ariho also cited Pope Benedict XVI, who taught that catechists should unite the transmission of authentic doctrine with personal witness. “This example of life is necessary so that your instruction does not remain merely theoretical knowledge about the mysteries of God but leads others to embrace the Christian way of life,” he said, quoting the late Pontiff.
Drawing inspiration from Luke 10:1-2, where Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples, he encouraged the teacher catechists to see themselves as missionaries sent to proclaim the Gospel in schools through both word and example.
He reminded them that their first mission begins in their own families before extending to the classroom, where they are called to prepare children for the worthy reception of the Sacraments while teaching topics such as prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, the Rosary, the Holy Spirit, Sacred Scripture, and the Works of Mercy.
Speaking during the seminar, Mr. Willy Turyahikahe, in charge of Catechism in the Diocesan Education Office, described Catholic schools as centres of evangelization and small Christian communities.
Jesus is the greatest teacher and he is our model. Every lesson we conduct should begin with prayer, entrusting both teachers and learners to God – Mr. Turyahikahe Willy.
He encouraged teacher catechists to cultivate exemplary Christian lives, work collaboratively with fellow staff members, remain conversant with Church teaching, and continue developing their professional and spiritual formation.
Mr. Turyahikahe also announced that each school should give an appointment letter to teacher catechists while the Diocesan Education Office will issue out identification cards to them to enable them to continue exercising their ministry even after transfers to other schools.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Pius Tumuranze, Head Teacher of Bugomora Primary School in Kyanamira Parish and Chairperson of the Catholic Primary Head Teachers Association for Kabale District, said today’s young Church is largely found in schools.
“Our learners spend more time in school than at home. That makes our schools important centres of pastoral care, and teacher catechists have a vital role to play,” he said.
He appealed to fellow head teachers to support catechists by providing the necessary resources for effective pastoral ministry.
For his part, Mr. Remigio Byamukama, Education Secretary of Kabale Diocese, thanked the teacher catechists for their commitment to nurturing the faith of young people.
He explained that the formation program is being conducted across all deaneries of Kabale Diocese, covering Catholic-founded schools throughout the six districts of the Kigezi sub-region.
Mr. Byamukama encouraged teacher catechists to foster positive relationships with learners while urging those holding Grade III Certificates and Diplomas to pursue further studies.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, Pastoral Coordinator of Kabale Diocese, appealed to head teachers to allocate sufficient time for catechesis and to appoint qualified teacher catechists in every Catholic-founded school.
He also encouraged schools to strengthen the Pontifical Mission Societies by promoting the Holy Childhood Association in primary schools and the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) in secondary schools.
He explained that Holy Childhood forms children in prayer, charity and missionary outreach under the slogan, “Children Helping Children,” while the Society of St. Peter the Apostle supports vocational discernment and missionary formation under the motto, “Baptized and Sent.”
Participants welcomed the initiative and requested more catechetical materials, teaching aids and regular refresher courses. Speaking on their behalf, Sr. Judith Ahimbisibwe, Deputy Head Teacher of St. Theresa Girls’ Vocational Secondary School Rushoroza, thanked the Diocese for investing in the ongoing formation of teacher catechists.
Concluding the seminar, Fr. Austen Christmas, Director of the Diocesan Liturgy and Catechesis Commission, urged teacher catechists to adopt a pastoral approach in teaching Religion by building meaningful relationships with learners and witnessing to the Gospel through their lives.
He also reminded head teachers that Religious Education remains central to the identity of Catholic-founded schools. “Our schools were founded by the Church to evangelize. Religious instruction is therefore not optional but part of the very mission of Catholic education,” he said.
Fr. Austen encouraged schools to celebrate weekly Mass or prayer services to nurture the spiritual life of learners before officially commissioning the teacher catechists and sending them forth to continue Christ’s mission of evangelization in schools across Rushoroza Deanery and Kabale Diocese in general.