Recall the times when you receive Catholic faith formation at home, in your parish and in your school, how it has helped you to come to know Jesus the Son of God as your Lord, Friend and Companion in life. Your parents, godparents, priests, religious and catechists were, in one way or another, involved in your faith formation. In your own journey of faith formation, you have come to realize the importance and necessity of it for a wholesome human development. Now you would want to give your children Catholic faith formation that has formed you in your faith in Christ.

Faith and life are never separated, for it is through our faith in Jesus Christ that God resides deep in our hearts. Jesus Himself being born of the Virgin Mary took on Himself childhood, He was reared and passed through the ages of life. He being fully human and fully God understand the importance of personal encounter. Therefore, He welcomes the children who come to Him for Him to lay His hands on them and bless them. Through their personal encounter with Jesus the children come to know Him. Knowing Jesus is about a personal encounter which is a personal relationship with Him. This is what we hope to develop in the child through the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) here in the parish of St. Ignatius. We want to give your child catechism so that your child gains knowledge of God that would help him/her to develop a personal relationship with God. At the same time to help all the children and teenagers in the catechism classes to build community. Community is an important aspect of our Catholic faith.  For a community can provide wonderful support for the faith of a child and teenager. Furthermore, relationship among their own peers can help them to grow spiritually together as a community of believers.

I would like to highlight that the CCD coordinators have worked very hard this summer to prepare for the coming CCD school year. Meticulously, they have helped to make this online registration come true. Heartfelt thanks to them for their hard work. I would like to urge you, parents, to please give your fullest support and cooperation to the CCD coordinators, the CCD catechists and their assistants, and the CCD office administrators. I would like to invite you, parents, to please step forward to help with the CCD. Your willingness to step forward to help and contribute to the CCD is very much appreciated.

I wish you a spiritually fruitful year ahead and may the peace of Christ be in your hearts and in your family.

God bless,
Fr. James Tan, S.J.
CCD Spiritual Director