Students encouraged to balance faith with academic pursuits

Port Moresby, PNG - January 25, 2025

The Catholic Community at Saint Charles Lwanga Parish in Gerehu Stage 2 in Port Moresby held a special dedication Mass on Saturday, January 25th to pray and offer the success of the 2025 academic year to God.

The Mass, was celebrated by the Parish Priest, Fr Robert Spania, MSC who welcomed students from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions alongside their parents.

With the theme, "Rooted in Faith, Growing in Knowledge," the Mass highlighted the importance of starting the academic year with strong spiritual foundation and provided special blessings for students, teachers and school stationaries with prayers to support their academic pursuits.

The dedication Mass, coincided with the Feast Day of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, one of the greatest evangelizers of the Christian faith and an influential figure, in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

After the Mass, the Parish invited Judge Dr Vergil Narakobi, a long-time resident of Gerehu and a parishioner at St Charles Lwanga, to give an inspirational talk and share words of encouragement with students and their parents.

In his talk, Judge Narakobi emphasized the importance of balancing academic studies with spiritual growth. "A balanced life is crucial," He emphasized. "Our Constitution recognizes the importance of integral human development. This means making time for faith, academics, family, and recreation."

Judge Narakobi also urged students to live as witnesses of Christ within their school environments. “If there’s a school fight, do not participate, if there’s gossiping, do not take part.”

He’s talk also touched on overcoming challenges such as peer pressure and self-doubt and he reminded students to choose good friends and manage resources given by parents wisely. “You must know the important people in your life, such as your parents and your teachers. Listen to them, cultivate a good relationship with them, and they will help you to be successful,” he advised.

He also shared the principle of sowing and reaping. “When you plant the seeds of good study habits, good behaviour, daily prayer and reading your Bible every day, you will be pleased with the fruits that will be borne by the seeds you have sowed,”

Students were also reminded of the significance of setting goals. “If you want to do well in your studies, you must set yourself goals. Your vision, your objectives, and you must have a motto in life,” he said, sharing various school mottos that had inspired him, such as "I can and I will" (St. Charles Secondary), "Courage to Act" (St. Joseph), "Aim for the Highest" (St. Xavier's High School), and "What you sow, so shall you reap" (St. Gregory's College-Sydney).

Students and parents ended the event with well wishes for each other and light refreshments.

Students get together for a photograph after Mass