NCS PARI PROJECT Launching and Turn-over
The seven-book output of the National Catechetical Study conducted from 2016-2021- Pastoral Action Research and Intervention (PARI) Project, began during the term of the His Excellency Robert C. Mallari, D.D. as ECCCE Chair was launched and turned-over successfully at the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration presided by the Apostolic Nuncio, the Most Reverend Archbishop Charles John Brown, D.D., on the occasion of the second day of the university-wide Ambag 500 Retreat on April 28, 2022 at the UST Central Seminary Santisimo Rosario Parish Church. The fruitful affair coincided with the University’s conclusion of the 500 YOC celebration and the university’s 411th foundation anniversary. The project was in collaboration with University of Santo Tomas Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (UST-RCSSED).
The entire tedious Study which delved on the current state of the Catechetical Ministry in almost all of our ecclesiastical territories focused on our catechists, our catechetical leaders, the catechized themselves, our existing catechetical formation programs and our catechetical human resources.
The seven-book output was presented to the Apostolic Nuncio, to the present ECCCE Chairman, Most Rev. Jose Elmer I. Mangalinao in the presence of the Most Rev. Robert C. Mallari, D.D. and ECCCE bishop members, Most Rev. Daniel O. Presto, D.D. and Most Rev Sofronio A. Bancud, S.S.S., D.D. by the UST officials led by the Chancellor, the Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Vice Chancellor Rev. Fr. Filemon I. dela Cruz, Jr. O.P., and the Very Rev. Fr. Rector Richard G. Ang, O.P.
It is our collective hope that these NCS fruits which composed of four (4) catechetical modules and three (3) research-based outputs – a book on research poems, a handbook on Catechetical Ministry and a research monograph will be of great help in re-energizing our catechetical ministry in our respective arch/diocese. Aptly put by the NCS Project Lead Professor Clarence M. Batan, PhD during the turn-over rite, the seven-book outputs “lead us all to the path of New Evangelization and the insightful discovery the catechist in all of us”. In the spirit of synodality, may we continue traversing the path of New Evangelization as we endeavor in cascading the lessons of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization’s Directory for Catechesis 2020 and in implementing Pope Francis’ Antiquum Ministerium. The seven-book outputs will undoubtedly help us in all these. They will be brought to your Ecclesiastical Province/Territory by the ECCCE office and NCS Team in the same way they did the surveys with you, dear catechists for this NCS. Our ECCCE office will advise you of the visit’s schedule in your Ecclesiastical Province where the current Priest Catechetical Director together with the Catechetical Coordinator will be expected to come. ECCCE Office will undertake the printing of the seven-book outputs for your perusal in your catechetical ministry.