The Silent Struggle: Teaching Catechism in a Digital Age

They say that teaching is a work of heart, but this past year, it felt more like a test of endurance.

As we stood together for our Catechism Annual Day 2026, looking at the photo of the team that sustained me, I couldn’t help but reflect on the reality of the past twelve months. I have been teaching Sunday School Catechism for Class X, and to be completely honest, it has been one of my most challenging assignments yet.

The Wall of Disconnect

We live in an age where silence is rare and "scrolling" is a reflex. For fifteen-year-olds, the world is a constant stream of notifications, influencers, and viral trends. This year, I saw firsthand how this digital saturation has bled into the classroom:

The Discipline Gap: "Disobedience" is a harsh word, but it was our daily reality. Getting a room of Class X students to follow simple instructions felt like a monumental task.

The Concentration Crisis: In a world of 15-second videos, sitting still for a 45-minute lesson on scripture feels like an eternity to them. Their focus isn't just drifting; it's being pulled away by the invisible tether of social media.

The Biblical Void: The most heartbreaking result was seeing "Nil knowledge" of the Bible. When social media becomes the primary source of truth, the Word of God starts to feel like a foreign language. Understanding was low because their mental "storage" was already full of digital noise.

Why We Don't Give Up

It would be easy to look at the lack of discipline and walk away. But looking at my fellow teachers and the support system in this photo reminds me why we show up. We aren't just teaching a syllabus; we are competing for their souls in a very loud world.

If they have "Nil knowledge" of the Bible today, it means our mission is more critical than ever. We are the ones tasked with planting seeds of stillness in a generation that only knows how to move fast.

Moving Forward

To my fellow catechists and parents: How do we reach a generation that is physically present but digitally distant? This year taught me that we cannot teach 2026 students with 1990 methods. We need more than just a textbook; we need patience, a strong team, and a lot of grace.

#CatechismAnnualDay2026

#SundaySchoolTeacher

#ClassX

#FaithEducation

#TeacherLife

The Late-Night Ring: Why Lent is the Season for Reconnections

In the days of my childhood, the home landline was a sacred object. I vividly remember the ritual of the late-night phone call. We waited until the sun went down and the clock hit a certain hour because that was when the rates dropped and the calls finally became "free."

In that silence of the night, we would dial long-distance numbers to wish someone a happy birthday or celebrate a special occasion. There was a specific kind of magic in those calls—the crackle of the line, the hushed voices, and the pure joy of hearing a voice from miles away.

The "I Was Waiting for You" Deadlock

But there was also a specific kind of drama. I remember a friend I used to call regularly. Whenever a long stretch of time passed and we finally spoke, the conversation would often start with a silly, stubborn fight:

"I was waiting for your call!" one would say.

"Well, I was waiting for yours!" the other would retort.

We would go back and forth, both of us admitting we had been sitting by the phone, missing each other, yet neither willing to be the one to break the silence. We let pride act as a barrier to the very connection we both craved.

Beyond the Sacrifice: A Call to Fraternity

Traditionally, we treat Lent as a season of "less"—less food, less noise, less indulgence. But this year, I feel a pull toward "more." Specifically, more connection. While Lent is about a "change of heart" (metanoia), that change shouldn't just happen in a vacuum between us and the divine. True spirituality is horizontal as much as it is vertical. It is about the spirituality of fraternity—the intentional rebuilding of the bridges we let crumble out of busyness or stubbornness.

Rebuilding the Bridge

We all have those names in our contact list that have gathered digital dust. Reconnecting during this season is a powerful spiritual exercise because:

It kills the Ego: Reaching out first—especially when you feel it’s "their turn"—is a profound act of Lenten humility. It ends the "waiting game."

It is an act of Almsgiving: Giving your time and your undivided attention to someone is just as valuable as any monetary donation.

It mirrors Grace: Just as we seek reconciliation with God during Lent, reaching out to a "lost" friend mirrors that desire for wholeness.

The New "Free" Hours

We no longer have to wait for late-night landline rates to be free, but we do have to find "free" space in our cluttered minds.

This Lent, I am challenged to look at my relationships not as chores to maintain, but as a garden to regrow. Don’t wait for the "perfect" occasion or for them to dial first. Pick up the phone, bridge the gap, and turn that "I was waiting for you" into "I’m so glad I called."

After all, the most "Lenten" thing we can do is turn a cold silence into a warm conversation.

#LentenReflection #SpiritualGrowth #Reconnection #Fraternity #LandlineMemories #Lent2026 #FaithJourney #Restoration

Don't Just Hit Milestones—Become One

The Definition You Won't Find in School

Most students think of a "cell" as something you study under a microscope. 

But in the YCS/YSM movement, a cell is the heartbeat of your social and spiritual life. It’s a group of 8 to 12 members where you can actually share your ideas and talk about what matters.  

Is the Spirit Fading?

Lately, the "enthusiasm of the past" seems to be missing. In a world that demands 100% marks and extra classes, we’ve literally destroyed our "Time for Reflection". We are moving fast, but we aren't finding the time to solve our own problems or share our anxieties.  

Not a Factory, But a Movement

We aren't in a factory designed to pump out "ready-made products". We are a movement that teaches you to ask "WHY?" when something is wrong. Using the See-Judge-Act methodology, we learn to look at social realities, reflect on them, and take action to change them.  

How to Revive the Spark

Instead of playing the "blame game," let’s take it upon ourselves to bring the movement back to life. It’s time to move away from just "school books" and start focusing on leadership and social responsibility.  

Your 3-Step Action Plan:

Meet Up: Gather at least once a fortnight to share and discuss solutions.  

Invest: Register yourself for just Rs. 10 to be an official part of the movement.  

Report: Share your small wins with your Diocese or Region; you might even get published in our National Newsletter, The Search.  

Don’t just celebrate milestones. Be part of YCS/YSM and become the milestone worth celebrating.  

"Our methodology isn't just theory—it's a way of life. By breaking down our experiences through Awareness, Reflection, and Action, we move away from being 'ready-made products' and become agents of change."

Will Your Digital Footprint Outlast an Ink Stain? Why Our Voices Still Need Paper

We live in a world of "rapidness." We communicate in bursts of blue light—emojis, acronyms, and disappearing stories. But in this race to be instant, we’ve lost the "me-time" connect. We’ve traded the soul of the fountain pen for the efficiency of the ballpoint, forgetting that the tools we use often shape the thoughts we have.

When the Telegram—once the heartbeat of urgent communication—was finally laid to rest, I made a vow: I will, for the rest of my life, wish people and share my life through the art of the handwritten letter.

It has been a year since I started this journey, and it has changed my perspective on what it means to be "connected."

The Perspective of the Page

The first time I sent a letter to a friend in Patna, detailing a fortnight of my life in Chennai, something strange happened. As I wrote, I wasn't just reporting news; I was reflecting.

Unlike a WhatsApp status that vanishes in 24 hours, the page forced me to ask: What has actually progressed in my life? What do I need to change to be better? The letter traveled via Speed Post, and when it arrived, the joy it brought wasn't just about the words—it was the realization that someone, somewhere, took the time to think specifically of her.

8 Reasons to Pick Up the Pen

If you are wondering why you should choose the "slow" way in a fast world, here is what I discovered:

The Heart’s Vocabulary: You don’t need a yellow emoji to show you are happy. Your handwriting, with its slants and pressures, expresses what the heart wishes to say more deeply than any modern syllable.

The Digital Sanctuary: Writing is a "proud hobby" that demands you put your phone away. It is pure #PersonalTime.

Standing Out: In a trend-driven world, having a passionate, "analog" hobby makes you unique.

True Inspiration: Your well-wishers get to read about your real life, not the curated "highlight reel" of a Facebook story.

A Stress-Free Release: There is a therapeutic rhythm to writing. It lets out the expectations and frustrations that we often bottle up.

Finding Your Voice: Whether it’s a letter or an article for a magazine, writing helps you refine your opinions until they are sharp enough to inspire others.

The Creative Spark: What starts as a letter often blooms into a poem or a profound article.

The Signature Hallmark: Your handwriting is your "Signature Hallmark." It defines who you are in a way a standard font never can.

The Spark of Change

History tells us that the greatest shifts in society didn't always start with a loud shout; they started with a small piece of writing. From journals to newspapers, the written word has always been the spark that ignites the flame of change.

To the youth who ask, "Actually, even I can write?"—the answer is a resounding yes. You don't need to be a "blogger" to be a writer. You just need to be someone who cares enough to put pen to paper.

In this epitome of rapid change, let’s choose to slow down. Let's make our voices speak through the ink.