Port Moresby, PNG, 27 January 2017 -- One big family of Catholic Educators in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby gathered to celebrate the start of the 2017 new school year. This annual gathering was held this year at Don Bosco Secondary Technical School, Gabutu, on Friday 27 January.
Commentator, Mr Vincent Numbos, reminded the large gathering that we are celebrating the special call to follow the One, True, Teacher, Jesus Christ. For many of us we are re-committing ourselves to the mission entrusted to us. “To those who are here for the first time” he said, “we warmly welcome you into our family of Educators.” Let us start afresh recalling the message of Pope Francis: “I wish peace to every man, woman and child, and I pray that the image and likeness of God in each person will enable us to acknowledge one another as sacred gifts with immense dignity.”
He also reminded us that the school community is a place of meeting, or encounter, where parents can meet their child’s teacher and work together with them. Family and school go hand in hand. The child learns truth, goodness and beauty in the school. The child also learns three most important languages: the language of the mind, the language of the heart and the language of the hands. All in harmony. May this message of Pope Francis find an echo in our hearts throughout 2017.
Following registration at 8.30am the program began with an overview of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan by Fr John Willio, Pastoral Vicar, and an explanation of the theme for 2017: We accept others as God’s gifts; we relate to them as Equals and Partners. Core values are equality, participation and communion especially communal reconciliation. Our openness to personal conversion and the process of action will lead us all towards the climax of the year – the Archdiocesan Assembly on 17-19 November 2017.
With these opening words, teachers moved into their reflection groups. One question that sparked heartfelt reflection and lively discussion was: How do our customs and traditions fit in with the gospel values of equality of relationships? The dialogue of faith and culture is an enormously challenging task. Young teachers and their families experience tensions that can be creative and fruitful but which also can involve intense struggle. One example shared was bride price. One teacher who listened intently to the sharing of the group members was greatly moved.
“Commitment to the values of the gospel is very clear. And there was honest sharing of examples of customs and traditions that can impact painfully on teachers’ personal lives. And there is the desire to keep going, keep searching.”
After the teachers had met in groups and shared personal responses to the 2017 theme: Enhancing Relationships through Equality and Partnership as God-given Gift they mixed informally making their way to the Church where a huge banner captured the theme and its accompanying logo. The whole day was so well prepared – the work of preparation shared by many difference people. The sanctuary and the altar were beautifully decorated.
The readings chosen for the celebration were both encouraging and challenging. St Paul encouraging the Philippians and us says: Count all the blessings you have received from God. Encourage one another to live in good relationships, to continue to build and strengthen the unity that exists in the family, in the community. We, as teachers, have gained wisdom from our living the challenges of each day and our education and training means we have many skills. These we are called to share with the young people in our care. We must be agents of equality and unity. The gospel called us to fidelity in marriage and to care and protect the children entrusted to us. With lighted candles held high each teacher pledged to live out their Commitment as Catholic Educators.
There was a very joyous atmosphere as the Commissioning Mass opened with Caritas Technical School’s choir leading the singing. The processional dance was the contribution of La Salle Technical College, Hohola with dancers dressed traditionally and swaying to the beat of the kundu. Symbols expressed the life of the teacher – candles, flowers and plants, Bible, books, the Archdiocesan banner – bringing light, beauty and new life. The offertory procession with the bread and wine was accompanied by the whole gathering joining in song. After Communion the reflection beautifully expressed the reason for our coming together: “Lord, here I am to answer your call… Here is my heart …. here is my whole self… I am yours and yours alone.”
Attractively wrapped presents were gathered for the Offertory procession. These large gifts contained stationary and other items which would be given to the remote rural schools including Popondetta, who struggle to overcome many difficulties in order to provide quality education for these children. Banking is one such challenge, absence of roads, airfares and meeting the high cost of freight in addition to the high cost of goods. It was touching and very inspiring to see how generously city schools responded to this opportunity to implement the project “children helping children”.
Teachers from Street Ministry were there ready to offer a helping hand to our city’s Out of School children for whom there are so many barriers and bottlenecks that prevent them gaining access to education or contribute to their lack of retention – they become the city’s dropouts. We see them “directing traffic” down town or selling at the traffic lights. SOCAY, Save our Children and Youths in Hohola is another school which had amazing results in 2016 with FODE and with the school’s own Integral Human Development program. A large number of “dropouts’ are beginning 2017 back in a Grade 9 or Grade 11 classroom. Well done SOCAY!
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