In August 2026, 44 Evangelizing Catechists (ECs) from parishes in Southern Perak came together for the Evangelizing Catechist Basic Course (ECBC) Module 1. The parishes involved were the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kampar; Church of St. Mary, Tapah; Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjung Malim; Church of St. Francis De Sales, Sitiawan; Church of St. Anthony, Teluk Intan; Chapel of St. Joseph, Bidor; and Chapel of St. Jude, Gopeng.

The course ran for two full Saturdays: on 8 August at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kampar, and on 22 August at the Church of St. Mary, Tapah. It was conducted in English, Tamil and Bahasa Melayu. The sessions were delivered by a team of facilitators from across the diocese: Lillian Kandiah (Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Ipoh), Shana Mabel (Church of St. Michael, Ipoh), Cristtopher Yesudass (Taiping Catholic Church), Deacon Isaac Simbun (Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjung Malim), and Sam Daniel and Jeffry Christopher (Church of St. Mary, Tapah).

At the centre of the programme was a simple but challenging conviction: catechesis is not only about passing on religious knowledge but is a ministry of evangelization. Before ECs can lead children, youth or families to Christ, they must first be disciples who have personally encountered Him.

The participants began with a joint introductory session by Mark Stephen, PDCC’s ECBC Coordinator, on the need for the ECBC and a renewed approach to catechesis. The first topic, ‘A Paradigm Shift for Catechetical Ministry Today’, invited participants to look honestly at how the needs of today’s children and families have changed. This was followed by reflections on self-evangelization as the starting point of formation, the Holy Spirit as the guide of every EC and the art of evangelization and catechesis.