HENDERSON (SI): 29 November 2010 -- A spirit of joy, happiness,
contentment and thanksgiving filled the air as seventy seven students
who completed their secondary and trade courses at Don Bosco Technical
Institute, Henderson, in the Solomon Islands, graduated on Friday 26
November, 2010, in the presence of an august gathering.
1Archbishop Adrian Smith sm, Archbishop of Honiara, presided at the
Solemn Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Cor Hooymayers sm, Fr. Michael Laap
sdb, Rector of Don Bosco Rural Training Centre, Fr. Pankaj Xalxo sdb,
Administrator, Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, Rector of DBTI and Fr. Mario
Vaz sdb, Don Bosco Engineering and Management College, Mumbai were
concelebrants.
The theme was: We carry forth your flame. In
his homily Fr. Cor challenged the youngsters to visibly demonstrate
what they have learnt at Don Bosco. “Carry the flame of Christ
and show to your family, community and country what you have learned”,
he said. The Eucharist was animated by lively singing and had a
variety of custom dances right throughout the liturgy.
The Graduation Ceremony then followed. Sir
Peter Kenilorea and Margaret Kenilorea were the chief guests for the
occasion. Mr. John Wate, TVET division, Mr Bernard Rapasia, TVET,
Mr. Tom Joyce, Curriculum Development centre, Mr. Jullian Tradeway, Dr.
John Roughan, Industrial representatives, friends, relatives and
well-wishers graced the occasion with their presence.
Welcoming the gathering, John Kaura, DBTI head boy, congratulated the
graduates and expressed his gratitude for the possibility of being
educated at Don Bosco.
Congratulating the graduates, Fr. Ambrose Pereira
encouraged them to light up the path for many other young boys and
girls. “You make us proud”, he said and praised their
achievements that have been based on deep commitment, attention to
safety, a stress on honesty and a firm commitment to duty.
Highlighting the Educational system of Don Bosco,
Fr. Mario Vaz sdb, Director of the Engineering and Management College,
Mumbai, India said, “Here at Don Bosco, you have not only learned to
use your head and your hands, but also your heart”.
The graduates then proudly approached the dais to
receive their certificates, symbol of the years of commitment to duty,
study and sacrifice. Embraces, hugs, wishes and tears were
exchanged as friends and family congratulated the graduates.
Sir Peter Keniloria reminded the entire gathering of
the motto of Don Bosco, Give me souls, take away the rest.
“In our great excitement to put to use our qualifications to enrich
ourselves, it would do us good to remember the value of self-sacrifice
and living for the good of others, especially the youth of our nation,
for which Don Bosco Technical Institute and its founder is known
throughout the community and around the world”, he said.
In conclusion, Sir Peter congratulated and thanked
Don Bosco on the 10th Anniversary of its existence. “It is no
secret that your period of establishment has been a period of
unprecedented national social and security upheaval. Yet your
commendable success is a witness to the spirit of sacrifice, dedication
and self-denial, which is the epiphany of Don Bosco”, he said.
Don Bosco will open its courses for 2011 for a new intake in
Mid-January, 2011. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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