Catholic School Centre Bl. Ivan Merz in Banja Luka on May 10th celebrated the memorial of its heavenly patron with a solemn Holy Mass and a special program.
The motto of this year’s School Day was Dream, Reality and Beauty. Holy Mass in the parish church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was led by the parish priest and dean of Banja Luka rev. Vladislav Žarko Ošap in concelebration with eight priests.
In the his sermon rev. Ošap spoke about the character of Bl. Merz as the one who educated young people, and who should now be the model and ideal of the Christian life. In particular, he addressed the school staff, saying that, following the example of this Blessed man, they should think about their impact on young people. “It is important to pass on knowledge, but it is more important to educate young people by personal example”, said the Banja Luka pastor, referring to the essence of Catholic schools that must exude the spirit of the Gospel and where the presence of God’s word must be felt.
After the Eucharist, the ceremony continued in the sports hall of the Centre. At the beginning of the event, the director of KŠC, Msgr. Ivica Božinović greeted those present and recalled three employees who died as a result of coronavirus infection.
The event began with the singing of elementary school students, and two films were presented – documentary and animated. Sixty students were praised for their excellent success, exemplary behaviour and participation in extracurricular activities.
By the way, this KŠC has existed since 2005, and the celebration of School Day during the pandemics of 2020 and 2021 was in online format.
KT
Banja Luka – May 11, 2022
