Friends of St. Francis DeSales Media Club

01/07/2025

Workplace Safety Training Conducted at MHCVETFC

Teachers and staff of Mary Help of Christians Vocational Education Training FODE Centre (MHCVETFC) participated in a two-day Workplace Safety Training facilitated by Mr. Joe Kavatpuo of Josien Training and Consultancy. The training took place at the school campus from Monday, 30th June to Tuesday, 1st July.

The first day focused on theoretical topics such as duty of care, health and safety policies, manual handling, noise control, electrical safety, PPE usage, and managing hazardous substances. On the second day, the participating teachers, staff and FMA Sisters learned about emergency response procedures and engaged in hands-on training in fire prevention and the proper use of fire extinguishers.

09/06/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eu-fccb-programme_worldenvironmentday-endplasticpollution-endplasticwaste-activity-7336268608139837441-KoWg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAD9BqwMBIQf8M730Rc2_DiBwGUuE8GUGZ9E

Fun-filled learning engagement with students to observe ! The EU FCCB Programme team were pleased to engage with over 100 students and 14 teachers at the Mary Help Christian Vocation Education Training FODE Centre in Port Moresby. Speaking to the students, our team emphasised the...

02/06/2025

Happy World Communications Day 🎉
Be a responsible media content creator and critical media consumer today🙏

21/05/2025

Media Education Seminar 2025 Highlights Critical Media Skills and Catholic Social Teachings https://www.bosco.link/webzine/99813

02/04/2025

Empowering Young Voices through Writing and Print Media
- Lucy Napitalai

Port Moresby: Young people from Catholic institutions, a parish, and a group from Radio Maria participated in the second session of the Media Education Seminar series on writing articles and print media on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at La Salle Technical College, Hohola. The sessions aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to write articles and stories while understanding the key elements of print media and news boards, enabling them to create content that inspires others.

The program began with an opening prayer session, where student representatives from each institution shared a prayer intention, followed by a communal prayer. Introducing the sessions, Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, Social Communication Delegate and Coordinator for PGS and EAO, emphasized the importance of storytelling. He stated, “Stories touch people’s minds and hearts, and everything is linked through stories.” He encouraged participants to be positive and inspirational, inviting them to express themselves through writing: “Open the doors of your creative energy and unleash your talent,” he added.

The seminar featured four sessions: 5Ws and 1H in Writing News Articles, Inspiring Stories, Anatomy of a Newspaper and Magazine, and School News Board. Dynamic icebreaker games were incorporated between sessions to keep students engaged. The sessions and activities were led and facilitated by Fr. Ambrose and his team of volunteer facilitators.

In the first session, Ms. Lucy Napitalai presented on the 5Ws and 1H in writing news articles, introducing the inverted pyramid structure. She emphasized that “understanding these key elements will help you write good news articles about every event that happens in your schools or parish.”

In the second session, Mrs. Sheryll Isoaimo led a discussion on Inspiring Stories, encouraging students to write stories that have a positive impact on others. “Knowing your interests and passions will help you write inspiring articles,” she stated.

Focusing on print media, Mr. Leo Paraha explored the anatomy of newspapers and magazines, highlighting their key components and encouraging students to create their own school publications.

The final session, led by Miss Patrina Kaboanga, provided tips on creating an effective and inspiring news board. She shared strategies for designing engaging content that attracts readers and fosters interaction.

The seminar concluded with student presentations and a closing prayer led by Fr. Ambrose. He expressed gratitude to the Principal of La Salle Technical College, Br. Anthony Swamy, and teachers Mr. Murray Misha and Miss Sarah David for providing the venue and their warm hospitality.

Participants eagerly anticipate the third session of the Media Seminar Series, to be held at CARITAS Business College, Boroko, scheduled for April 26, 2025.

06/03/2025

9 THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ASH WEDNESDAY

1. What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the day that Lent begins

The name comes from the fact that a particular rite is always celebrated on this Wednesday in which the faithful have ashes put on their foreheads.

According to the Roman Missal:

In the course of today's Mass, ashes are blessed and distributed.

These are made from the olive branches or branches of other trees that were blessed the previous year [on Palm/Passion Sunday].




2. What does the putting on of ashes symbolize?

According to the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy:

125. In the Roman Rite, the beginning of the forty days of penance is marked with the austere symbol of ashes which are used in the Liturgy of Ash Wednesday.

The use of ashes is a survival from an ancient rite according to which converted sinners submitted themselves to canonical penance.

The act of putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God.

Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolize that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent.

The faithful who come to receive ashes should be assisted in perceiving the implicit internal significance of this act, which disposes them towards conversion and renewed Easter commitment.



3. How does the distribution of ashes take place?

The Roman Missal states that after the homily, the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water.

Then the priest places ashes on the head of all those present who come to him, and says to each one:

Repent, and believe the Gospel.

Or:

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Meanwhile an antiphon or another appropriate chant is sung.



4. Is there a particular way the ashes should be put on people's heads?

Fr. Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University comments:

There are no set rules regarding this, and it largely depends on local custom.

In most English-speaking countries the prevailing custom seems to be that the priest places enough holy water into the ashes to form a kind of paste. The ashes are then daubed in the form of a cross on the forehead.

Many Catholics see this practice as a means of publicly showing their faith and leave the smudge on their forehead throughout Ash Wednesday.

In other countries, such as Spain, Italy and parts of Latin America, the prevailing custom seems to be sprinkling fairly dry ashes on the crown of the head. But even within these geographical areas, both customs are practiced and there may be other legitimate traditions as well.



5. Can this be done outside of Mass?

Yes. The Roman Missal states:

The blessing and distribution of ashes may also take place outside Mass. In this case, the rite is preceded by a Liturgy of the Word, with the Entrance Antiphon, the Collect, and the readings with their chants as at Mass.

Then there follow the Homily and the blessing and distribution of ashes.

The rite is concluded with the Universal Prayer, the Blessing, and the Dismissal of the Faithful.



6. Can someone other than a priest distribute the ashes?

Yes. The Book of Blessings states:

1659 This rite may be celebrated by a priest or deacon who may be assisted by lay ministers in the distribution of ashes. The blessing of the ashes, however, is reserved to a priest or deacon.



7. How long do you leave the ashes on?

There is no rule about this. It is a matter of personal decision based on the individual's own inclinations and circumstances.

The ashes can be left on until they wear off naturally or they can be washed off or wiped off when the individual chooses.



8. Can ashes be distributed to the sick who cannot attend Mass?

Yes. The Book of Blessings states:

1657 This order [in the Book of Blessings] may also be used when ashes are brought to the sick. According to circumstancs, the rite may be abbreviated by the minister. Nevertheless, at least one Scripture reading should be included in the service.

1658 If already blessed ashes are brought to the sick, the blessing is omitted and the distribution takes place immediately after the homily. The homily should conclude by inviting the sick person to prepare himself or herself for the reception of the ashes.

9. Is Ash Wednesday a Holyday of Obligation?

No. There is no obligation to attend Mass.

However, Ash Wednesday is a penitential day and it (together with Good Friday) is one of two days of the year on which fasting and abstinence are required.

13/02/2025

Happy Feast Day of Saint Valentine

26/03/2024

Media Education Seminar Empowers Youth
Insights from Print Media Session
- Lucy Napitalai

Port Moresby: In this ever-changing world of media, young people need the right tools to communicate effectively. On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the second session of the Media Education Seminar series on print media took place at St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Gerehu.

The program began with moments of prayer and reflection. Student representatives from the 11 Catholic institutions said a prayer for themselves, followed by icebreaker games before the sessions began.

The program, organized and facilitated by Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, EAO Social Communication Coordinator, and his team of volunteer animators, delved into the key elements of writing news reports, followed by the anatomy of a newspaper. Emphasizing the need to write stories and document events and activities in their respective institutions, the students were taught the elements of writing news reports such as the 5Ws and 1H and organizing ideas or content through the inverted pyramid.

"Open your eyes to see what is happening around you and write about it, sharing your views and opinions on issues," stated Ms. Sheryll as she emphasized writing news reports. The participants were also encouraged to write positive and reflective stories to positively impact others.

The second half of the session, through a working lunch, involved an activity on designing a layout of the news board. Students in their respective institution groups were tasked with organizing the layout in their own context or settings. During this time, a reporter, Jesher Tilto from the National Newspaper, joined the session. He commented and shared his experiences with the students. "What you all are doing is amazing, and it's great to see that you’re learning all these in your student days before you begin your careers," commented Mr. Tilto while sharing the need to be disciplined and meet deadlines. After the group activities, the students presented their news board followed by an evaluation and reflection on how they will practically share what they learned with others when they go back to their respective institutions.

In conclusion, Fr. Ambrose expressed his utmost gratitude to Br Johnson Chacko SG, principal of St. Charles Lwanga, the staff and their students, for their hospitality and kindness. Apart from providing the venue, snacks, and drinks were also provided for everyone.

The Audio Media will be held at La Salle Technical Secondary School, Hohola, on the 27th April 2024. It plans to be creative and exciting as the participants will record Jingles, a 20 second video message, a radio drama and a 30 second video clip.

23/03/2024

Insights from the Media Education Seminar 1 By Fidelmah Urakupa Port Moresby, PNG 5 March 2024 -- The Media Education Seminar program commenced on Saturday, 2 March 2024. Seventy-one students and twenty-three animators and teachers from Catholic institutions participated in the first session of the....

22/03/2024

Stories highlighting significant events which took place at MHCVETFC from January to March in 2024