Chattogram Archdiocesan Christian and Human Formation Course 2024 was held in Bandarban on April 4–10, 2024, with the participation of 148 SSC examinees from 11 parishes and 2 sub-parishes of the Chattogram Catholic Archdiocese.
Parish priest of Fatima Rani Parish, Bandarban, Father Binoy Sebastian Gomes, CSC inaugurated the course after an opening mass through lighting the Candle. Also present were, Chittagong Archdiocesan Youth Coordinator Mr. Mickey Paul Gonsalves, Co-Youth Coordinator Fr. Sumon Peter Costa CSC, Headmaster of Don Bosco School, Br. Albert Ratna CSC.
The week long training course covered important topics such as Christian Creed, Holy Communion, Introduction to the Holy Bible, Vocation: Introduction to Priests and Religious Societies, Marriage and Family, Christian and Moral Values, Youth Counseling, and Adolescent Development. Father Pankaj Perera, pastor of Jamalkhan parish, member of the pastoral service team of Chittagong Catholic Archdiocese Sister Mamata Palma, LHC, Pastoral Coordinator of Chittagong Catholic Archdiocese Mr. Manik Willver D Costa, Assistant Priest of Khagrachari parish Fr. Joy Joseph Quiah, Dhaka Archdiocesan Judicial Vicar Fr. Mintu Palma, Coordinator of the Episcopal Youth Commission Fr. Bikash Rebeiro, CSC, Founder and director of Healing Heart Counseling Unit Dr. Gloria Rosario, MPDA, Dr. Dipankar Dey, and Sister Nita Rosario, CSC, and others were present as resource persons. There were assessment tests on daily basis. There were also several competitions on co-curricular activities such as: extemporal speech, debate, wall magazine competitions, general knowledge competitions and drama competitions on biblical themes. In addition, the participant had the opportunity to praise God daily through Holy Mass and thematic prayers.
The Archbishop of Chattogram Catholic Archdiocese, Most Reverend Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC, presented the prizes to the winners in various subjects. After that, the course certificate was distributed among all the participants. Also present were; Mr. Ratan Guda, Regional Director of Caritas Chattogram Region and Mickey Paul Gonsalves, Youth Coordinator of Chattogram Catholic Archdiocese.
Participant Gabriel Tripura from Bandarban parish expressed his feelings saying, “by participating in this workshop, I got to know about the Holy Bible. Especially the session on Christian and moral values helped me develop some new habits for practical life. A different kind of fun time was spent here within the rules. Here, I got the opportunity to do creative work through group works. After receiving the prizes, I feel very good”
