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DIOCESE OF SIMLA-CHANDIGARH
PASTORAL PLAN 2026–2033
All Commissions
Commission for Faith Formation
COMMISSION

Commission for Faith Formation

To accompany every baptized person in the lifelong journey of faith through systematic, joyful and Christ-centred catechesis.

MISSION TRAJECTORY

The Commission for Faith Formation fosters a mature and living faith by building witnessing communities at the parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. It will strengthen catechetical ministry by forming resource teams at the deanery and diocesan levels to support catechism teachers in parishes and to develop formation resources for all age groups, especially children and youth.

Guided by clear guidelines and catechetical modules, it aims to help every parish and mission station nurtures informed and committed disciples who live their faith, strengthen family bonds, and actively participate in the Church’s mission of evangelization.

THE 7-YEAR ROADMAP

Programmatic Strategies

Short Term

2026-2028Foundation
  • Develop a competent diocesan resource team.
  • Develop training modules, pictorial and self-learning materials.
  • Begin regular production of audio/video catechetical content.
  • Conduct initial workshops to train catechism teachers at parish level.
  • Complete translation of common catechism syllabus.
  • Publish and distribute catechism textbooks (Hindi/Punjabi).
  • Introduce catechism programs in selected parishes.
  • Initiate YouCat in parishes.
  • Train initial group of lay animators.

Medium Term

2029-2031Consolidation
  • Expand teacher training to cover additional percentage of catechists.
  • Strengthen continuous formation through monthly media resources.
  • Standardize catechetical methods across parishes.
  • Expand catechism programs to more parishes.
  • Promote use of YouCat across majority of parishes.
  • Develop and introduce family catechetical manual.
  • Increase number of trained lay animators.

Long Term

2032-2033Expansion
  • Establish diocesan catechetical centre.
  • Ensure 100% catechists/teachers adopt renewed faith formation methods.
  • Sustain ongoing formation and evaluation systems.
  • Ensure catechism textbooks and programs in all parishes.
  • Achieve full diocesan implementation of YouCat.
  • Ensure majority of families use catechetical manual.
  • Train sufficient lay animators at parish level for sustainability.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES & KPIs

Our Pastoral Priorities

Capacitated catechism teachers function effectively as faith formators at the parish/deanery/diocesan levels.

OBJECTIVE 01

Establishing and training a Resource Team at the diocesan level.

KPIs

  • By the end of 2026, 15-member diocesan resource team: 2 members from each of 5 deaneries, are identified and capacitated with systematic training.
  • By August 2027, training modules/pictorial stories and self-learning materials are prepared to be utilized by parish level teachers and catechists.
  • From January 2028, every month one audio or video material is produced on faith formation to be utilized by the teachers and catechists.
  • By December 2033, a catechetical centre is built at the diocesan level.

OBJECTIVE 02

Forming and Training Catechists/Teachers at the parish level.

KPIs

  • By September 2028, 50 Catechism Teachers are trained through series of workshops on the catechetical methods by diocesan resource team.
  • By August 2030, another 30% are trained.
  • By November 2033, 100% of Catechism Teachers appreciate the new ways of imparting faith formation by the teachers and catechists.

ACTIVITY PLAN MATRIX (2026-2028)

#1Diocese

Forming a diocesan resource team of 10 persons.

By When?By December 2026
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleSecretary
MonitoringPastoral coordinator
#2Diocese

Organizing 2-days training for 10 members Diocesan Resource Team on preparing study materials for catechism teachers

By When?From August 2027, every quarter, Feb-May-Aug
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringSecretary
#3Diocese

Organizing 1-day training for 50 persons, one from each parish on methods of using study materials.

By When?From September 2027, Annually
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringSecretary
#4Deanery

Preparing catechetical lesson plans and sharing with 50 teachers.

By When?From November 2027 Twice a year, Feb & Aug
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleDean
MonitoringSecretary
#5Deanery

Identifying and training 25 catechism teachers for 2 hours, at the deanery level in each deanery on new methods of imparting catechism.

By When?From January 2027, once in four months Jan-Apr-July-October
FinanceDeanery
ResponsibleDean
MonitoringSecretary
#6Diocese

Organizing 2 hours online meeting for at least 50 catechism teachers on lesson plans/modules.

By When?From 2027, once in two months
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleCoordinator
MonitoringSecretary
#7Diocese

Creating one audio or video material on faith formation to be utilized by the teachers and catechists with the help of Youth & Media Commissions.

By When?From December 2027, every month
FinanceDiocese
ResponsibleMedia/Youth Coordinators
MonitoringSecretary
#8Deanery

Conducting 3 hours workshop for 25-members on use of media techniques in catechism.

By When?From January 2028, every year
FinanceDeanery
ResponsibleDean
MonitoringSecretary