The Catholic Catechetical Institute celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment at Hyehwadong Catholic Church on October 20, 2008.

Along with the Most Rev. Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Auxiliary Bishop and General Vicar of Seoul, the Most Rev. Basil Cho Kyu-man, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul, and Rev. Thaddeus Lee Gi-rak, Director of the Catholic Catechetical Institute, about 500 people participated in the commemoration Mass.

Presiding over the Mass, Bishop Yeom said, "As an ecclesial institute for the formation of lay leaders, the Catholic Catechetical Institute has always searched for the truth of the Gospel for all the difficult surroundings. …… Nowadays, we have to ask ourselves if there is a true evangelization in our society, even if we have witnessed a remarkable quantitative growth of the Church in Korea. …… I hope we can change the whole society with the spirit of the missionary."

Rev. Lee said, "As a seedbed of God's Word, we have made an abundant harvest with our sacrifice, service and love, as much as a seed come to fruition through the devoted endeavor of a farmer. …… I have come to realize that everything depends on God and our efforts, as I looked back the half a century history of the Catholic Catechetical Institute."

Besides, with the theme 'Past, Present and Future of the Catholic Catechetical Institute,' a 'Symposium for the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Catholic Catechetical Institute' was also held in the afternoon.