austraLasia #3144
KUMGI: 14th October 2012 -- Don Bosco Technical School Kumgi inaugurated the year of the Faith on 12th October with a solemn high Eucharistic Celebration at which Bishop Anton Bal, bishop of Kundiawa diocese, presided. Young Catholic students numbering 1000 from Kerowagi Secondary, Mingende Tech, Condiu Secondary and Don Bosco gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate the event.
In the opening welcoming introduction one of the students addressed all the young people gathered, in the following words: "In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one us and He invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with Him? The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn to Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and rediscover the Faith and Church".
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. October 11, 2012, the first day of the Year of Faith, was the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
Recalling to mind the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI the community of Don Bosco Kumgi, PNG took a day off from regular school activities and solemnised the event. In a colourful celebration of Culture and Faith the documents of Vatican II, Catechism of the Catholic Church and Catechism of the Catholic Church for PNG and SI were carried to the Altar with profound faith and placed there for everyone to see.
In his homily Bishop Bal recalled the words of Pope Benedict and told the students "The 'door of faith' (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. The Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Saviour of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church. May the good Lord open the hearts of Faith of each one of us gathered here and we may become apostles of Faith, Hope and Charity to the people of Papua New Guinea".
The celebration was a joyful experience of coming together like the early Christians to share their talents in praying, singing, dancing, and playing together, giving hope to enrich their lives and strengthening their faith in Don Bosco Way.
Don Bosco Tech Kumgi inaugurates Year of Faith
In the opening welcoming introduction one of the students addressed all the young people gathered, in the following words: "In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one us and He invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with Him? The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn to Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and rediscover the Faith and Church".
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. October 11, 2012, the first day of the Year of Faith, was the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
Recalling to mind the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI the community of Don Bosco Kumgi, PNG took a day off from regular school activities and solemnised the event. In a colourful celebration of Culture and Faith the documents of Vatican II, Catechism of the Catholic Church and Catechism of the Catholic Church for PNG and SI were carried to the Altar with profound faith and placed there for everyone to see.
In his homily Bishop Bal recalled the words of Pope Benedict and told the students "The 'door of faith' (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. The Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Saviour of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church. May the good Lord open the hearts of Faith of each one of us gathered here and we may become apostles of Faith, Hope and Charity to the people of Papua New Guinea".
The celebration was a joyful experience of coming together like the early Christians to share their talents in praying, singing, dancing, and playing together, giving hope to enrich their lives and strengthening their faith in Don Bosco Way.
