June 18, 2008

Surigao Diocese Continues Religious Instruction Program

The Diocese of Surigao successfully conducted another deanery-level Religious Instruction [RI] Orientation Seminar on June 13, 2008 at the Cathedral Church in Surigao City. Forty-eight RI teachers came to attend for the said RI Orientation Seminar conducted for the Surigao West Deanery. The clergy of the deanery came in full force to provide moral support to their participants.

The activity was the fourth for this month of June. The first RI Orientation Seminar was conducted for the Siargao Islands Deanery on June 2-3, 2008 at Dapa Parish Church.  The Dinagat Islands Deanery followed by conducting two series, one each for the Dinagat Cluster on June 9-10, 2008 at Melgar Parish Church and for Loreto Cluster on June 11-12, 2008 at Loreto Parish Church. These earlier seminars were satisfactorily attended by the clergy and lay RI teachers.

These RI Orientation Seminars were conducted by Mrs. Aurora Balandra, the Diocesan Christian Education Officer together with other members of the Diocesan Committee on Education and Nurture.  These seminars were part of the preparatory efforts of the Diocese to begin the RI classes at public schools for this school year 2008-2009.  The other efforts included the enlistment of IFI children enrolled for this year at all public schools within the diocesan jurisdiction, the procurement of RI permits from school superintendents and the production of RI manuals for the teachers.

The Religious Instruction is among the principal Christian education and nurture programs of the Diocese.  The implementation started in 1998 using the RI Modules produced by the National CE Committee.  Through the RI Program, the Diocese was able to reach out and teach IFI children about IFI faith while they are at school during weekdays.

For two years now, the RI Orientation Seminars were conducted at the deanery-level in order to save transportation expenses and gather more church members involved in teaching RI.  The Diocese of Surigao is comprised of four deaneries: Dinagat Islands Deanery with 8 Parishes and Missions; the Siargao Islands Deanery with 7 Parishes and Missions; the Surigao South Deanery with 6 Parishes and Missions and the Surigao West Deanery with 9 Parishes and Missions.

The last schedule for this month is set on June 21, 2008 for the Surigao South Deanery at Placer Parish Church.