austraLasia #2611
Vunabosco Highlights
Fr. John Cabrido sdb, Rector
KOKOPO-PNG: 16 March 2010 -- The school year opened with the rhythmic pounding of bamboo poles and the vigorous dancing of students from Pomio. The welcome ceremony last 01 February 2010 served not only to usher in the academic year but also to drive out the malevolent spirits of the past. After the opening cultural dance, new students and staff members were made to pass through rows of last year’s students for a hearty “sekan” and warm welcome. Last year's students bestowed colorful bilas and fresh leis on the newcomers. This short gym welcome ceremony set the tone towards the building up of the EPC’s family spirit. A week later, on 8 February, Fr Timothy Choi presided over the school year opening mass.
Fr Clifford Morais, Vunabosco’s new spiritual moderator, celebrated his 43rd birthday on 16 February. He was feted in an evening celebration hosted by the boarders who now number over 190. The feast and night of songs and fun became the boarding house carnevale and ushered in the fasting of the Lenten season.
The Ash Wednesday Eucharistic service saw Fr John Cabrido, the new Rector, presiding. A processing of class resolutions for Lent preceded the mass. As in previous years, a school-wide, class level “tarangu collection” marked the Lenten season---now with a twist. Half was to go to the Haiti relief fund which was strongly supported by Mr Bobby Delfin, the principal. As part of the Lenten “cleansing”, Fr Timothy provided the school with over 15 heavy duty trash bins. This will go a long way in the school’s “clean and green campaign”.
The past three weeks have been for us a true season of grace. Our teaching staff had its annual retreat on 25-27 February at the MSC run Chevalier Centre. The retreat guide was Fr John who led the teachers to a reflection of Mark 8-10-- “On the Way of Discipleship”. A highlight of the spiritual exercise was the service of the “washing of the hands” which helped to bring about healing and fostered the spirit of encouragement. As an expression of renewed discipleship, the staff resolved to join the boarders for Tuesday evening rosary and to be early at morning assembly. These changes did not go unnoticed by the students. Then from 01-11 March, Fr Clifford accompanied the five classes of graduating students (Trainee 2 and Grade 12) for their overnight retreat. The retreat module “Journeying with Christ” gave ample time for reflection and was punctuated with lively songs which the young men resolved to sing during their graduation later this year. Bro. Otto Kaulan and Bro. Stephen Musya, who alternately assisted the batches, were struck by the deep and honest sharing of the students. This spiritual renewal of a third of our EPC is wonderful preparation for our coming community day on 19 March, during which the new Rector will be installed by Fr Rafael Galve, the Delegation superior.
On 14-15 March, Fr John accompanied the eight newly elected Students’ Representative Council (SRC) members for a two-day planning session. Earlier during the week, these student leaders had met with their class-level counterparts and had gathered the feedback from their school mates. It is hoped that this leadership seminar will push forward the school’s 2010 Thrust: “to attain academic and technical improvement”.
Finally, Fr Clifford is energetically guiding the boarding house and school leaders in organizing a follow-up to 2009’s Youth On Fire. However, instead of a youth rally, this year Vunabosco will sponsor a four-day youth leadership camp tentatively scheduled 19-22 April. It targets youth leaders from high schools, secondary schools, parishes and faith communities and is the Vunabosco EPC’s commitment “to bring the Gospel to the young.”
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Vunabosco Highlights
Fr. John Cabrido sdb, Rector
KOKOPO-PNG: 16 March 2010 -- The school year opened with the rhythmic pounding of bamboo poles and the vigorous dancing of students from Pomio. The welcome ceremony last 01 February 2010 served not only to usher in the academic year but also to drive out the malevolent spirits of the past. After the opening cultural dance, new students and staff members were made to pass through rows of last year’s students for a hearty “sekan” and warm welcome. Last year's students bestowed colorful bilas and fresh leis on the newcomers. This short gym welcome ceremony set the tone towards the building up of the EPC’s family spirit. A week later, on 8 February, Fr Timothy Choi presided over the school year opening mass.
Fr Clifford Morais, Vunabosco’s new spiritual moderator, celebrated his 43rd birthday on 16 February. He was feted in an evening celebration hosted by the boarders who now number over 190. The feast and night of songs and fun became the boarding house carnevale and ushered in the fasting of the Lenten season.
The Ash Wednesday Eucharistic service saw Fr John Cabrido, the new Rector, presiding. A processing of class resolutions for Lent preceded the mass. As in previous years, a school-wide, class level “tarangu collection” marked the Lenten season---now with a twist. Half was to go to the Haiti relief fund which was strongly supported by Mr Bobby Delfin, the principal. As part of the Lenten “cleansing”, Fr Timothy provided the school with over 15 heavy duty trash bins. This will go a long way in the school’s “clean and green campaign”.
The past three weeks have been for us a true season of grace. Our teaching staff had its annual retreat on 25-27 February at the MSC run Chevalier Centre. The retreat guide was Fr John who led the teachers to a reflection of Mark 8-10-- “On the Way of Discipleship”. A highlight of the spiritual exercise was the service of the “washing of the hands” which helped to bring about healing and fostered the spirit of encouragement. As an expression of renewed discipleship, the staff resolved to join the boarders for Tuesday evening rosary and to be early at morning assembly. These changes did not go unnoticed by the students. Then from 01-11 March, Fr Clifford accompanied the five classes of graduating students (Trainee 2 and Grade 12) for their overnight retreat. The retreat module “Journeying with Christ” gave ample time for reflection and was punctuated with lively songs which the young men resolved to sing during their graduation later this year. Bro. Otto Kaulan and Bro. Stephen Musya, who alternately assisted the batches, were struck by the deep and honest sharing of the students. This spiritual renewal of a third of our EPC is wonderful preparation for our coming community day on 19 March, during which the new Rector will be installed by Fr Rafael Galve, the Delegation superior.
On 14-15 March, Fr John accompanied the eight newly elected Students’ Representative Council (SRC) members for a two-day planning session. Earlier during the week, these student leaders had met with their class-level counterparts and had gathered the feedback from their school mates. It is hoped that this leadership seminar will push forward the school’s 2010 Thrust: “to attain academic and technical improvement”.
Finally, Fr Clifford is energetically guiding the boarding house and school leaders in organizing a follow-up to 2009’s Youth On Fire. However, instead of a youth rally, this year Vunabosco will sponsor a four-day youth leadership camp tentatively scheduled 19-22 April. It targets youth leaders from high schools, secondary schools, parishes and faith communities and is the Vunabosco EPC’s commitment “to bring the Gospel to the young.”
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
