Family Day at Don
Bosco
- Fr. Ambrose Pereira
sdb
HONIARA: 21st March '03 -- Don Bosco
campus wore a festive look on 21st March, 2003 as staff, students and
parents gathered for the first Annual Family Sports Day celebrations. Colourful flags and banners fluttered in
the air as over 300 persons lined up for the Opening ceremony at 8.30 am.
“The family is one of the main players in
building up a child’, stated Fr. Nelson Jopia sdb. “A child needs support from his or her
family to reach his objective in the game of Life” he continued.
“We want to establish relationships and we
begin with sports” said Fr. Luciano Capelli sdb, as he welcomed all to the
Family Sports Day celebrations.
“As the students walked in together with
their parents to the tune of joyful strains, as candles were lit and as each one
shook hands with another - emotions of joy and gratitude to God and Don Bosco
welled up in me. Here we have
students from every province and every religion, all committed to work, study
and play together in the true spirit of unity and togetherness’, said Bishop
Chris Cardone, Auxiliary Bishop of Gizo, who was present for the entire
occasion. He enjoyed the day
interacting with all present.
Football, volleyball and tug of war were
games that many participated in while others were swinging to the beet of
panpipe music by the youthful and energetic group from Talaura. A delicious lunch brought persons closer
together in the spirit of friendship and fellowship as each one shared what he
or she had brought.
“It was a time for building relationships,
a time for peace, a time for sharing, a time for making new friends as persons
mingled in a very relaxed atmosphere of joy and friendship”, stated Hilda Anihoniara. “It’s a great privilege for a mother, a
father and a son to be playing together.
It’s was an occasion to build up and renew love, peace, friendship and
unity in the family” she continued.
“I am
impressed by the words of Fr. Capelli – ‘We need you parents to make our
school a success’. There is
something that draws to be part of the school and we look forward to many more
interesting and entertaining programmes”, stated Mr. Henry
Isa.
“Looking
back over the years”, stated Atu Balekana, “and the struggles for permission
that we underwent, it is today gratifying to see our youth growing day by day
with values of hard work, commitment and honesty”.
“This
day has brought me closer to my son and I am grateful” said one
parent.
Several persons assisted in different
ways. Shaun Johnston, ANZ head of
treasury and Peter Tam, General Manager, Szeba Enterprises Limited were happy to
donate 100 bottles with the SPG 2003 logo to the school, filled with mineral
water.
The overall winners of the event, the
Kowalski class were delighted to receive the championship at the hands of Bishop
Chris Cardone op.
The programme an initiative of the school,
and part of the Educational Pastoral Plan (EPP) of Don Bosco was the joint
venture of the parents, staff and students. It has given a good boost to the many
programmes that will follow. All
were delighted at a very enjoyable, relaxing and entertaining programme together
with their sons. The system of Don
Bosco believes in working together with all sections of society – parents,
government, religious, civil and other networks – we will achieve our final
goal.
A spirit of sharing prevails and in this
season of lent the students have realized the need to reach out to others. To fulfill this they cleaned the polio
ward of the National Hospital and the grounds of the handicapped center at Rove
on 26th March , 2003.
P.S.: Photographs can be sent if
requested
Ambrose Pereira sdb
Catholic Communications
Solomons, P.O.Box 647, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: 677-36222/22125 Fax:
677-36333
E-mail: ambrose@donbosco.org.sb
