By Arlene Abital

       Boroko (Port Moresby), PNG, 11 June 2023 -- More than three hundred (300) oratorians from the East Boroko vicinity attended the recently-concluded Mary Help of Christians’ celebration at Don Bosco Technological Institute. The Feast Day in honour of Mary Help of Christians was deferred to 4 June because of the Final Examinations of the First and Second year students at the institute. Around fifty volunteers - students and staff assisted in the one-day league of the oratorians. Some doctors and nurses also in NCD also helped and came over for the Medical Mission benefitting the oratorians and some of their sick family members.

       Fr Ariel Macatangay SDB, DBTI President, spearheaded the event along with the collaboration from Fr Roger Miranda SDB, Rector, Br Anthony Wale SDB and Sr Carmencita FMA. A couple of meetings were held from both the leaders of the oratorians and DBTI volunteers to prepare for the fun games, sports, songs, and catechism in honour of Mary Help of Christians. Through the kindness and generosity of the Salesians and the Mass-goers at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in the same compound, the oratorians and DBTI volunteers wore their beautiful shirts for the league depicting the images of Mary Help of Christians in front and Don Bosco at the back of the shirts. The oratorian players assembled into four house colors, namely Blue, Red, Yellow and Green for Grade 5 and above, while the Grades 1- 4 did colouring activities for the image of Mary Help of Christians and fun games.

       After a brief catechism on Mary Help of Christians, the oratorians battled it out for the four games of basketball, volleyball, soccer, and touch rugby. Each team competed for 10 minutes in the elimination, semi-final and final rounds with a five-minute break in between. After all the games, the oratorians assembled in the gym for the rendition of the Marian songs, floral offerings and Good Afternoon Talk, followed by the declaration of winners. Overall, the Yellow Team was declared the Champion followed by the Blue, Red and Green Teams respectively. The Grades 1-4 group also had their special prizes for their fun games and colouring activities. Special thanks to the Salesians for all the food prizes for the two separate groups consisting of juice, cookies, biscuits, snack foods, noodles and most especially the well-loved chocolate ice cream. Indeed it was a fun-filled, meaningful and memorable event to give tribute to the Mother and Protectress of all – Mary Help of Christians.

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