18/09/2026
St. Joseph Vicariate Catechetical Ministry
Basic Orientation and Refresher Seminar 2026
September 12, 2026 | Second Saturday Formation
Gethsemane Parish, Casuntingan, Mandaue City
I am deeply grateful to the Team of Pastors of Gethsemane Parish for their continued support, guidance, and trust in the St. Joseph Vicariate Catechetical Ministry.
Most especially, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Irwin Pilario for warmly welcoming us to Gethsemane Parish and generously providing a space where our catechists could gather for formation, fellowship, and even a time to share a meal and snacks together. Thank you, Father, for your presence, support, and pastoral care for our catechists. Your generosity helped make this formation a truly welcoming and meaningful experience.
I am also sincerely grateful to our resource persons from the St. Jerome Biblical CenterโArchdiocese of Cebu: Fr. Zenon Guanzon, Sr. Cecilia Tapang, LGC, Sr. Jonamae Ligsanan, LGC, and Bro. Maruel Losorata.
Thank you for sharing not only your knowledge and expertise but also your love for Sacred Scripture. Through your generous sharing, we were given the opportunity to journey more deeply into โThe Bible in the Life of the Church,โ gain a deeper introduction to the Old and New Testaments, and rediscover the richness of Lectio Divina.
As I reflected on our sessions, I was reminded that as catechists, we are not simply teachers of the faith. We are first listeners, learners, and witnesses of Godโs Word.
Before we can effectively share the Word with others, we must first allow that Word to speak to us, transform us, and become visible in the way we live and serve. Our ministry becomes more fruitful when our own lives are continually shaped by the Word we proclaim.
I am equally grateful to all our catechists and participants who gave their time, presence, and active participation. I know that many have work, family responsibilities, and other commitments, yet they still chose to be present and continue their formation.
Thank you for saying YES to formationโyes to learning, yes to growing in faith, and yes to the continuing mission of catechesis.
My heartfelt thanks also go to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this formation possibleโthe coordinators, facilitators, volunteers, parish staff, our District 8 Coordinator Sr. Emily, and everyone who helped prepare the venue and attend to the needs of our participants.
A special thank-you goes to Bro. Rodel for taking care of the whole-day session as our emcee and for helping guide the program with warmth and enthusiasm.
As we continue this journey of formation, my prayer is that we may bring Godโs Word beyond our sessions and into our classrooms, parishes, families, communities, and most especially, into the lives of the people entrusted to our care.
May we continue to journey together as catechistsโlearning together, praying together, and serving together as one Church.
May the Lord continue to bless our ministry, strengthen our vocation as catechists, and make us faithful instruments in bringing Christ and His Word to others.
To God be the glory for another meaningful day of formation, fellowship, and faith.
Mael Icalina
SJV Catechetical Coordinator
