by: Aspirant Glenn Brian Justado
The grades 4, 5 and 6 students of Lawaan Elementary school received their first Holy Communion at the Shrine Chapel of St. John Bosco, Lawaan, Talisay City, last May 19 and June 2, 2023.
Prior to this event, the AB Religious Education and Pastoral Communication Students, specifically the 1st years and the 3rd years, are giving catechesis to the pupils of Lawaan Elementary school. This led to the opportunity for a collaboration between the elementary school and Don Bosco Formation Center, Lawaan, to organize the first Holy Communion of the pupils.
This was all spearheaded by Asp. Carl Kerr Tillo, a 3rd year aspirant, with the guidance of Fr. Erwin Joey E. Cabilan, SDB, the Prefect of Studies and Cl. Vanjo I. Gila, SDB, the Brother Assistant. Committees were established and with the cooperation of the Bearers (Extern students) and of the Aspirants, being in charge of the logistics, liturgy, ushering, technicalities, documentation and the choir. And with the help of the schoolteachers the event went smoothly. Fr. Rhine Marco Bollozos, SDB, initiated the idea of giving necklaces, a Benedictine medal, to the pupils as a remembrance for the whole celebration. All these preparation culminated during the mass at 9:00 am, which was presided by Fr. Adrian Mendoza, SDB, a fun-filled and interactive children’s mass that made the celebration meaningful and catechetical.
The first Holy Communion of the pupils of Lawaan Elementary school was successful, giving them and their parents a memorable experience. This also contributed to the growth of the future Salesians and Salesian Educators, the students of DBFC, in organizing campus ministry activities. All of these were indeed a learning experience and meaningful for everyone in the community.
