City teachers renew commitment to teaching, share experiences

The Catholic Archdiocese of Port Moresby marked the start of the 2018 academic year with a teachers’ commissioning programme on Jan 26.
The programme, which was held at the Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI) in Boroko, was attended by over 600 Catholic teachers from 35 schools in the city.
This annual programme aims to strengthen the teachers in the agency schools to renew their commitment to teaching young minds and setting good examples for children to follow.
The programme started with the registration of teachers at the Don Bosco Technological Institute hall.
Fr Clifford Moraiss, acting rector of DBTI, welcomed those gathered and urged the teachers to care for and love young people as Don Bosco did.
The programme was based on the theme, Caring, protecting and living stronger family relationships, and keynote speaker Pastoral Vicar Fr Vinod D’Mello encouraged
the teachers to strengthen their families through the sacrament of marriage.
Fr Vinod spoke also of the importance of forgiveness, seeing children as a blessing from intimate love, and a prayer life within families and the church.
Upon reflection, some teachers shared their family life experiences which were encouraging to others.
Following the reflection, a Eucharistic celebration was held at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians which was animated beautifully by the teachers through traditional dancing, symbolic offering and lighting of candles to renew their commitment to their teaching vocation.
“You are a teacher working 24/7 and as a noble profession through obedience, honour and knowledge,” Fr Ambrose Pereira, who was the main celebrant, said in his homily.
Fr Ambrose emphasised on the Year of Youth and on its theme of Called to the fullness of life and love.
He also encouraged the teachers to instruct and inspire young people to make good life decisions.
The programme concluded with the introduction of the newly-appointed Catholic education secretary, Paula Gande, for the archdiocese.