MEMBERS of the Catholic Teachers Sodality (CTS) gathered at Holy Cross on Sunday for the commissioning of teachers to their Mission work.
His Grace, Archbishop Adrian Smith officiated in the occasion and in his short statement said, “Your mission as teachers is to give flavor to the lives of our young people in the field of Education. You are the salt to the earth.”
The Catholic Teachers Sodality also launched the beginning of the annual gathering for Catholic schools a well as students who are attending other schools in the Archdiocese of Honiara.
The animator for the CTS, Sr. Sesilia Sala FMA, conveyed this information during the opening mass for the commissioning of teachers.
The theme is ‘Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.’
A special program will be held in June.
During the Eucharistic celebration, late Martin Podokale, a member of the sodality, was remembered. He was a very active CTS planning team member for various workshop ran by the Sodality. May herests in peace.
The guest speaker for the CTS gathering was Cypriano Nuake and he highlighted the fact that the theme of the year is coincided with the characteristics of catholic schools.
“We teachers must avoid unethical behaviors. These kill Christian values we need to pass on to our students and colleagues. We must teach our students to know and understand, treasure the important of knowledge in their hearts and be able for them to apply in everything they do or achieve in life. The three ‘H’, we use our head to think, our heart to love and our hands to serve. Wisdom is not the work of one person but community and that is why we say schools are communities.”
Archbishop Adrian in his short input reminded the teachers that the icon for all teachers is the salt.
“Salt gives flavor and preserves food. If our young people are hunger for knowledge and wisdom, we must do our work and leave the rest to God. The seed that we plant now is later sow by the students if we are faithful to our teaching mission.”
A shared lunch was enjoyed by all and followed by entertainment by each school. The spirit of companionship and discipleship was actually felt by all the teachers who were present.
The animator encouraged the active and retired members of the sodality to join and continue to share their values and lives as teachers.
By Sr. Sesilia Sala FMA
