By Ms. Arlene Abital

Port Moresby, PNG, 26 July 2016 -- “Life is a precious gift, give it as a gift”, emphasized Sr. Carmencita Rodriguez, FMA as she spoke to the first year students. She was speaking to them as part of the month long program of Vocation awareness and promotion at Don Bosco Technological Institute, East Boroko. A Vocation is a call from God. It is up to us to respond freely to what God wants us to do as we strive to manifest His glory was the message right throughout the program.

The morning talks during the assemblies, homeroom time, lunch and activity hour were avenues to invite the students discern God’s call to consecrated life, married life or the single life. At the invitation of the institute, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate (MSI) together with the Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians set up a kiosk to disseminate information about religious life.

Fr. Louie Castañeda, SDB presented Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to the 4th year students on July 21st. “There is the basic need of man to be part of society, need for affirmation, love and belongingness. The highest of these needs is self-actualization, the ultimate purpose of being a full person. It does not rest on possessions but on a fulfilled and peaceful life that rests in God alone”, said Fr. Louie as he addressed the 4th year students.

Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB shared with Third Year B students an inspiring story of how he became a Salesian. In his good morning talk on July 20th, he motivated the student body to the three ways of discerning: “Be open to what God wants us to be, be ready to humbly accept Gods will for you and listen to His voice as he speaks in the silence of your heart” Fr. Ariel said.

The combined class of Third Year A and 2 COT B listened attentively to Sr. Alice Fulgencio, FMA on July 26th at the newly-renovated E-library. She shared with them the historical background of the Salesian congregation. She said, “To educate the young and the poor is the main aim of our existence”.

At present, we have one PNG Salesian priest and deacon and others are in the period of initial formation. Fr. Pankaj Xalxo, SDB, together with other Salesian Priests and Sisters shared their life stories and screened video clips of inspiring Religious stories.

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