Report of Archdiocesan English Course 2023

 Report of the Archdiocesan Spoken English Course -2023

(2^nd April to 26^th April 2023)

The Archdiocese of Gandhinagar organized an Archdiocesan Spoken English Course at Pethapur for the students who have completed their 10^th and 12^th standards. It began on 2^nd April and to 26^th April 2023. There were 143 students, who took part in it among whom there were 59 boys and 84 girls from different parishes of the Archdiocese.

The course was inaugurated with the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration by His Grace Archbishop Thomas Macwan. Rev. Fr. Xavier James, the coordinator and the youth director of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, Fr. Sushil, Fr. Britto and Fr. Sonu were the con-celebrants who prayed for the students to do their English Course well. There was an entrance test to find out the level and ability of the students based on which the students were divided into four groups. The four groups were named after St. Mathew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John.

Rev. Fr. Xavier James, Fr. Sushil, Fr. Julian, Br. Donald Remi, Br. Pakiyaraj, Sr. Vanitha, Sr. Priyanka, and Sr. Roja were the teaching staff. Brs. Ankur Patel, Rakesh Kumar and Uday Toppo were the non-teaching staff. Each class was taken care of by two members, who rendered their selfless services to the students and helped them to gain knowledge in English through various activities. There were five classes held each day for learning Basic English grammar. Every day there was a Eucharistic celebration for the students and all the students actively participated in the liturgical activities. They began their day with the Morning Prayer followed by the Holy Eucharist to nourish their spiritual hunger. After breakfast students rendered their service to keep JVK clean and organized.

In the afternoon, there were faith formation classes for all the students, in which various topics on the Holy Bible, Sacraments, Holy Eucharist, and personality developments were taught, which helped them to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ. Students also showed a keen interest in learning the Bible. Rev. Fr. Xavier James, Fr. Valerian, Fr. Sushi, and Fr. Julian took the faith formation classes. Fathers, sisters and brothers sowed the seeds of the vocation to religious life among the children by sharing about their vocation, and their call to follow Christ, which inspired the students.

We express our gratitude to Mr Victor Macwan IAS & Ms Rosily Victor, Nynaben, Assistant Superintendent of Gandhinagar General Hospital, Mr Chandravadan Macwan, Rtd. Joint Secretary of Finance Department in Gujarat, Anjana Robin Patel, Senior Assistant in Commissionerate of Women & Child Development Gandhinagar for their motivational talk as well as career guidance which has helped children to see their future with the proper goal.

To shape their self-confidence every alternative day, we had creative cultural programmes. It helped the students to identify their hidden talents and to get rid of their stage fear by performing creative skits and action songs. Once in five days, an English test was conducted to check their progress. To keep them mentally and physically fit sports were given importance. We also organized a Garba event on the 22^nd evening, which helped them to relax and enjoy togetherness with each other.

The atmosphere was prepared very favourable for the students to speak only in English. The medium of communication and prayers was also in English. To be well-grounded in the English language, special attention was given to the weaker students. They worked hard and made a lot of effort to speak in English. The course came to an end with the Eucharistic celebration before which there was a colourful cultural programme on the previous evening which was witnessed by Fathers, sisters, brothers, and the students themselves.

We thank Fr. Arul Britto & his kitchen staff for taking care of our physical needs. Special thanks to all the fathers and sisters from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar for sending the children for this Archdiocesan Spoken English Course.

Br. Donald Remi.