The students, who had completed two years of studies, joined the sisters and the lay experts who teach on the

Certificate course for a joyful ceremony presided by Abbot Hugh Allan, O.Praem, the Director of Mission for the Bishops’ Conference.  Fr Gaston Forbah, our diocesan Vicar for Evangelisation, was also present and preached a wonderful homily at Mass. Another 33 students from our Diocese are currently enrolled on the course.

Feedback from the Portsmouth Diocese students highlights the enormous value they get from completing the course and its impact on their ministry and personal faith:

‘I completely changed the way that I taught First Holy Communion…I am so much more confident. I use more images, insist on prayer time and really bring the Sacrament to life. I actually feel like that I have completed an RCIA programme in terms of my own spiritual life as well as now fully understanding the role of a catechist. Whilst I have been a FHC catechist for 19 years, it’s only now that I feel like a catechist for real.’

‘The entire course is prepared and conducted at the highest level. The teaching is very accessible, and the support from the Sisters is incredible. I recommend it to everyone in every parish community. This course is exceptional. It highlights what is most important in the teachings of the Catholic Church. It builds and strengthens faith.’

‘I feel that my depth of faith knowledge has grown hugely which has in turn developed my spiritual life. I have really enjoyed the course and feel so much better equipped to share the faith. I thought the course content was brilliant, it was structured so well, and covered so much. It was obvious how much thought, work and planning had gone into it.’

Find out more about the Dominican Sisters’ Certificate in Catechesis.