By Cl. Thomas Warwara,SDB

       Rapolo, East New Britain Province PNG, 2 March 2023 -- On 22 February 2023, Don Bosco Technical Secondary School Rapolo had its Holy Spirit Mass which also coincided with the Ash Wednesday celebration. The Season of Lent commences with the imposition of ashes on one's forehead to begin the 40 day’s journey of the Lenten Season.

       The Rector of the school, Fr Moise Paluku, SDB was the main celebrant at the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Moise emphasized the importance of the Lenten season and our spiritual life highlighting the three main practices of the Lenten season: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. “To have a meaningful forty days of Lent, one should be able to look beyond one’s own needs and recognize the needs of others. Lent helps us to cultivate self-discipline and to grow in virtue by leaving behind bad habits that may enslave us from attaining true freedom,” he said.

       The Church invites us to fast on two days - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It is not only food that we need to fast from, but more importantly we need to give up any bad habits or attitudes that leads us away from God.

       Fr Moise also challenged the students and staff on invoking the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the academic year to be the guide of everyone in the community. If we invoke the Holy Spirit, he will be our guide.

       Participating in the Eucharistic celebration were students, teaching staff, non-teaching staff and some parents from the nearby communities. The entrance procession from the Tolai group and the Offertory procession from the Pomio group added color and life to the Eucharistic Celebration. The accompaniment of music of the boarders encouraged the students and all who were present to participate well in the singing and responses of the celebration. After the Mass the students had their normal classes for the day.

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