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OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL HIGH SCHOOL, SION, CELEBRATES WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

The poor you will always have with you - Mark 14:7

The Catholic Church celebrated the World Day of the Poor on 14th November 2021. The theme for the year being – The poor you will always have with you - Mark 1:7. These words were spoken by Jesus during a meal in Bethany, before The Passover.

To prepare for this celebration Pope Francis travelled to Assisi - the birthplace of St. Francis to meet 500 poor people. His Holiness said “May we always share our bread with those in need.”

The Pope greeted believers across the world and joined in prayer for those suffering in prisons, slums, wars and isolation along with 'Fratello' an organization that serves the poor. Pope Francis asked forgiveness in the name of all Christians who have hurt, ignored or humiliated the poor and encouraged everyone to open their hearts to God's love and to be true witnesses to his love in the world.

In reverence to the theme and calling of Pope Francis, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Sion organised a programme for the under privileged Catholic students of the institution from Std 1 to Std 10. One student was selected from each division by the respective class teacher. In all 41 students were selected for the programme.

To grace the occasion were present Manager and Trustee of the school Fr. Francis Rozario, Principal Fr. Salvador D’Souza, Vice-Principal Fr. Benjamin Jojo and Fr. Julius.

In his address to the students and their parents Fr. Salvador said - “We are all poor in different ways. We need God's love to fill our own emptiness.” He also appreciated the response given by the parents for attending the programme along with their children. He also encouraged the students to study well.

While speaking to the parents Fr. Francis Rozario said, “Our God is a giver, he made the universe and gave its custody to man. But everything was lost because of man's selfish needs. Then God sent his only son Jesus and restored everything.”

Fr. Francis thanked God for His blessings and sang the famous hindi song ' Gariboki suno, Woh tumhari sunega'.

To gift the students the school had arranged stationery items - a basic requirement of a school going child.

Fr. Benjamin spoke to the gathering quoting St Francis of Assisi’s famous saying- “By giving that We receive.” He also said that students should make proper use of the gifts that they have received.

Fr. Salvador requested Fr. Francis to present the gifts to the students. Photographs were taken to capture the beautiful occasion. Students indeed felt blessed and parted with smiling faces and lasting memories.

To conclude, Fr. Salvador D’Souza expressed his gratitude for those present and said – “Whatever God has given we should share with others. When we share what little we have in Jesus, it increases.”

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God…. Luke 6:20

Fr. Salvador D’souza - OFM

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