The Archdiocesan Biblical-Catechetical Secretariat (Sabic) and the Cathedral Network of Catholic Communication are broadcasting, until the end of July, a series of programs offering catechetical formation for the faithful, especially those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Until the last week of July, on Saturdays, you can follow the Confirmation Catechesis at 2:30 PM for the Radio America (AM-750) and at 5:30 PM for the TV Horizon (Channel 30 – free and open signal). Everyone is invited to watch the programs, carefully prepared by the Biblical-Catechetical Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte.

The Baptism Meetings have already ended, but you can access them through the channel of YouTube channel of TV Horizonte. All content offered in catechetical formation, including the complete series, will also be available to faith communities (Click here).

The formation period, more than simply preparing the faithful to receive the sacraments, seeks to contribute to everyone's growth in the mission of evangelizing and to enabling them to live out the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives, whether at home, at work, or in other areas of society.

With the aim of guiding faith communities on what this new form of catechesis is and will be like, prepared for the current moment of social isolation, Sabic and Rede Catedral present a brief document detailing the theme of each meeting and the methodology to be adopted. The full text is presented at the end of this article.

Through these programs, TV Horizonte and the Archdiocesan Biblical-Catechetical Secretariat offer an important contribution to the formation of the faithful during this time of social isolation to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. During isolation, the faithful cannot congregate in churches. However, with the help of the media, they mature in their experience of faith from their homes.

Sabic guidelines on catechesis through the media.

Confirmation and Baptism Catechesis
on TV Horizonte and Radio América

The Archdiocesan Biblical-Catechetical Secretariat and the Cathedral Network (Radio América and TV Horizonte) have developed, during times of social isolation, when it is not possible to have in-person catechetical meetings, meetings in audio and video format for those preparing for Confirmation, as well as parents and godparents of baptismal catechesis.

The meetings were prepared by very experienced catechists and recorded in the studios of TV Horizonte and Rádio América.

The videos of the meetings will also be available on TV Horizonte's YouTube channel.

Regarding Confirmation Catechesis:

1. Twelve episodes will be broadcast, always on Saturdays, at 5:30 PM on TV Horizonte and at 2:30 PM on Rádio América.
2. Those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, who have begun their studies, will be able to continue their formation through Radio América, TV Horizonte, or YouTube.
3. After the meeting is broadcast on Rede Catedral, the confirmation catechist can organize conversations via WhatsApp or another social network with their group of confirmation candidates about the topic presented that week.
4. Confirmation candidates should watch the videos carefully, note down any questions, complete the assigned Bible readings, and share their findings with the catechist.
5. Upon resuming in-person meetings, when possible (likely starting in August), the catechist will hold meetings with the confirmation candidates to share information about the videos they watched, and also to address any questions that may have arisen.
6. The Catechesis Guidelines of our Archdiocese stipulate that Confirmation catechesis should have at least 30 meetings. Therefore, after the quarantine, catechists should continue with the topics that were not covered in detail during the 12 meetings offered by the Cathedral Network.
7. The topics for the 12 meetings will be as follows:

• Death and resurrection of Jesus
• Jesus and the Kingdom of God
• Following Jesus today: being free
• Following Jesus today: loving without limits.
• The Holy Spirit: the action of Jesus in human life
• The Church, a community that continues the mission of Jesus.
• Sacraments, signs of God's grace in human life.
• The sacrament of baptism
• The Sacrament of Confirmation
• Eucharist: root and center of Christian life
• Forgiveness is sacred: the return to God and to the community.
• To be confirmed: faith in life, faith in humanity, faith in what is to come…

Regarding Baptismal Catechesis

1. Nine sessions will be broadcast on the Cathedral Network for catechesis with parents who have already had or will have children in the coming months and will baptize the child in their parish community, when possible, after the quarantine.
2. The meetings will be broadcast every Saturday at 5 PM on TV Horizonte, and at 2 PM on Rádio América.
3. The godparents (if already chosen) should also attend.
4. If the parents have already registered for Baptism catechesis at the parish, the catechists should contact them, ask to attend the meetings, and note down any questions.
5. When possible, Baptism catechists may schedule (once a week, for example) virtual meetings (via social media) to share the content of the week's catechesis lessons.
6. Another possibility is to make a video call to the parents and briefly discuss the theme of the week's meeting shown on Rede Catedral. In addition, follow the child's growth during this period, emphasizing that their life is a gift to the family, the community, and the world.
7. After the quarantine, when it is possible to perform the baptism, the catechists should schedule a meeting with parents and godparents to share what they have learned and clarify any doubts. They should especially emphasize what is necessary regarding the celebration of Baptism.
8. The topics for the 9 meetings will be as follows:

• The Baptism of Jesus
• History of the Sacrament of Baptism and its meaning.
• Celebrating the gift of Life
• God calls us by name.
• Water, the source of life.
• Anointed in the Lord
• The light of Christ illuminates us.
• Baptized in the faith of the Church
• The celebration of Baptism

Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte
Archdiocesan Biblical-Catechetical Secretariat

Source: arquidiocesebh.org.br