We Are the Catechism Family of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Doha, Qatar

We are moral and religious teachers, or better still, Catechists of all ages and nationality. We echo our Lord Jesus Christ to God’s children of all ages and nationality by a scholastic method of oral instruction, simply known as Catechesis. We catechize very closely with other teachers – parents and family - the Domestic Catechists, as Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph were, with the Child Jesus; and with the Priests and Religious, the Ecclesiastical Catechists, and together we make a united Christian family.

Our Principal Teacher and Role Model is Our Lord Jesus Christ who, at the age of 12, and after three days of searching for Him by Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, was found in the Temple, “going about His Father’s business” - sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. “And all that heard him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers" Luke 2:46, 47. During His public Ministry, Our Lord frequently made use of the catechetical method to impart instruction: "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?" "Whom do men say that the Son of Man is? Whom do you say that I am?" In His final charge to His Apostles Jesus said: "Teach (instruct) and "make disciples or scholars" of all nations … teaching (instructing) them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19, and to “initiate them (Catechumens) into the Universal Church, "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

We Know and Believe, as Catechists, that Jesus is our Royal King, Prophet, and High Priest. Some of us have been around more than 20 years, and others are relatively new to the challenges of Catechesis or Catechism. Yet with one voice, and in unity with the Angels and Saints, and through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we are confident that we can face each year in faith and truth, in hope and love, as we strive to bring God’s children closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Blessed Lady.

Issues, Challenges, Perseverance
We began the 2008 – 2009 Catechism year in our new Parish, in the new (and more) classrooms in the Bishop Gremoli Building; we now have our own Chapel for Masses and other religious activities, the Alverna Chapel, also located within the Bishop Gremoli Building. We introduced Catechism for parents while they waited for their sons and daughters, and we expanded on the adult class for Confirmation Catechumens, conducted Seminars, Reflections, Retreats, Bible Studies for the Youth Groups, overnight Camping by the Arabic Group, and Summer Camp for the Catechumens, among others.

There are always opportunities for our own (Catechists) spiritual growth and development - the annual Christian Formation Conference in January (each year); Leadership Training; Just-for-Kids’ Sessions in Jebel Ali; participation in the Vicariate’s Pauline Seminar, held in Doha, just to mention a few.

With optimism and perseverance, we have introduced yet a new Syllabus entitled: We Believe.

Catechism for the different Communities is held as follows:

The Arabic Community have their Catechism classes every Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM onwards.

The International Group (English speaking) conducts Catechism classes every Fridays from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM to 11:15 AM.

The Filipino Community conducts Catechism for their children every Fridays from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM followed by Children's Mass from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

This year the Spanish Community joined the Catechism family, and have their Catechism every Saturday mornings along with the French Community and the drive for the concept of One Lord, One Faith, One Community of Christ’s Children, will continue to be our prayer – and goal.

The Italian Community have their Catechism classes every Saturdays at 4:30 PM.

Our Outstation Communities are Al Khor and Dukhan. The “Dukhanites” have their Catechism every Sunday in individual Catechist’s homes while Al Khor Community conducts the Catechism classes every Thursday evening in respective Catechists' homes.

Join Us … if you are a Catechist out there, or have the will and/or the desire to become one …

Dear Parents, Enroll Your Child or Children if you have not done so. Drop by the Catechism Office in the Bishop Gremoli Building, or you may contact Rev. Father Anand George Castelino OFM Cap 5580-1164 or Ms. Jacintha Pais  552-8150. The Registration Form is appended below just in case you are interested in enrolling your child / children.

And for the Compliments Bit …

Joining our Minds, Hearts, Hands and Souls, and as one Body in Our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for all Catechists, the children entrusted to our care, and our spiritual leaders and directors. We love You, Lord Jesus. We love You, Mother Mary. Please Save Souls.