By Amelia Hwanawi (DECT 3B),
Eslyne Tule (INF, 3),
Celestina Bouman (ELT 3B) and
Debhora Nelson (4th Year)

Boroko, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 3 November 2019 -- The year-end spiritual retreat for the 3rd year diploma students and the 4th year technical education students of Don Bosco Technological Institute under the old program of Divine Word University and took place at the Emmaus Conference Centre Boroko, NCD from 21st to the 26th October 2019. The entire group of graduating students was divided into three groups and each had a two-day retreat.

Fr. Ambrose Pereira, sdb, Youth and Social Communications Secretary for the Catholic Bishops Conference was the Retreat Master. In keeping with the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2019, the theme was: ‘Called to Holiness.’

Dealing with holiness he stressed simple acts of kindness and gratitude. "Young people you are full of life. Open yourself to the possibility of Christ being Alive in you" said Fr Ambrose.

“The retreat has been a time for me to reflect on my life as an individual, to disconnect myself from others and things from the outside world, to see what things need to change and the things that I want to improve in my life. It has been a time to personally connect with the Lord and reflect on the past three years of my life at DBTI” said Eslyne Tule.

“In the session on Relationships, Fr. Ambrose spoke about the relationships in our life and the need to ensure that these are always respectful. As a young person I too have gone through these relationships. Though good or bad, I don’t let it dictate my life today,” said Amelia.

“As young people we like to explore and are led on by peer pressure. Knowing what is right from wrong and doing the wrong just to please our friends is something that we must now avoid. We need to dispose ourselves to the spirit so that our old habits are gone, and the new person emerges. Once we keep on the right track, we will earn the respect from friends and people around us. Let’s remember that we are spiritual being and physical beings”, said Celestina Bouman, ELT3B.

“We are ‘Baptised and Sent’ on a mission and I have been called me to think, speak and act as a mature person. By my Baptism, I have the responsibility to ensure that I reach out and share my faith with others”, said Debhora Nelson, 4th year student.

Fr Alex Garces sdb, Rector and President of DBTI took a session, entitled, ‘Look Back, Look Forward’. “Your life in DBTI was a climb and DBTI is just one mountain that you’ve climbed. There are other mountains you will have to climb,” said Fr. Alex to the graduating students.

What is the greatest mistake that you have ever made? Was the question Fr. Alex asked in his session? “Not learning from your mistakes is the greatest mistake you will ever make,” answered George Wilson, SRC president of DBTI.

“It has been very motivational, inspiring and we are relaxed in mind and heart. We have reflected on our past, present and future and rejuvenated ourselves. We are all ready to go back into our daily lives and try to make a change in ourselves so that others may see it, and it reflects on them too. One thing that struck me was: ‘Add LIFE to your years, not years to your life’. I will strive to put this into practice more often”, said Amelia.

Each two-day retreat had an adoration, the Rosary, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and moments of prayer. The final thanksgiving Eucharist reminded us to be always grateful and ‘Live Pure’, committed and holy lives.

This event was organized by the Director for Pastoral Affairs Fr. Joseph Dai sdb, the Liturgical Animator Mr. Jojo together with the Pastoral Team.

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