Catechetics in Tobago

The last 18 months have been challenging for us catechists in Tobago, but we have soldiered on!

In the Sacred Heart parish (Delaford and environs), First Communion candidates will finally receive the Sacrament now that churches have reopened, and a new Confirmation class will begin soon. At present, one adult is being prepared for reception into the Church.  Unfortunately, the catechists were forced to end their ministry to the secondary schools in the area with the onset of the pandemic, but several persons participated in catechetical training at Liturgy School this year, so that is a great sign of hope!

Bernadette Phillips

At St Joseph’s (Scarborough and environs), we were able to complete the Confirmation programme after making the switch to online instruction. About 35 young people were confirmed in January 2021.

Our First Communion class, which began earlier this year, continues virtually. At Easter, we had the joy and privilege of welcoming four persons into our faith community. In July 2021, we hosted a very successful virtual event, ‘Porn in the Pandemic’ for teens, young adults, and parents. The facilitator was activist Jerome Alexander who shared with his audience valuable information and strategies for fighting the “new drug” – pornography.

A commitment to life-long learning is essential for all catechists and this year, eight of us enrolled to do different courses in the Online Summer Programme at Boston College.  It has truly been a wonderful learning experience and we anticipate receiving our Certificates of Active Participation soon! —Bernadette Phillips, Tobago Catechetical Coordinator