DB-HSS, Tagore Nagar: October 22, 2024

DEEPAGAM, DON BOSCO CATECHETICAL CENTRE (INM) has organized Annual Bible Quiz for the INM Pondicherry Region Schools on October 22, 2024 at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Tagore Nagar, Pondicherry.

“Our mission is imparting education to poor children. Every Salesian Institutes prefers that students are given catechism; students must know the Word of God and students must know Christ. We are living the Word of God, witnessing Christ and proclaiming Him. That is our responsibility” Fr. Jesudoss said. He also commented, “Before, students came to educational institutions. Now, we come to you to proclaim Christ.

Fr. Gilbert Jeyaraj SDB (Rector) in his talk welcomed all teachers and students. In his message, he shared his experience of education in yesteryears. “Students are studying in rural settings in Pondicherry” he told the audience. There is no proper power supply, children face lots of problem, especially no vehicle for travel; yet, we find that students in rural settings are on par with urban children.” He encouraged the participating children “all the best”.

Fr. Deva Anbu Joseph (Principal), in his brief message spoke thus: “This event gives the opportunity to realize that we are all one family with one goal.” "All teachers have underwent catechism training," Fr. David Mudiyappan (Administrator) said, "at some point in their life.” To him, Catechetical life is மறைவாழ்வில் நிறை, that is, Christian faith gives fuller satisfaction when catechism sows seeds of faith.

Fr. Arul Mari Raja (Vice-Rector/Parish Priest) said, “We are celebrating today the feast day of St (Pope) John Paul II whose message was: "Do not afraid to be saints. Follow Jesus Christ who is the source of freedom and light. Be open to the Lord, so that he may lighten all your ways.’ So, let us not afraid to be saints. Let us follow Jesus who is the source of freedom and light that we be enlighten by his Word. Let us be open to the Lord. So that He may lighten all our ways.” He concluded his message with assertion that Bible is the source of knowledge, wisdom, inspiration and enlightenment. He thanked the Director and Deepagam Team for their sacrifices and hardships.

Mr. Kannan (Vice-Principal) congratulated the participants for this State-level competition.

The participating Schools from Pondicherry Region of INM Province were:

1. Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Tagore Nagar (DBHSS-TN)
2. Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Gedilam (DBMHSS-Gedilam)
3. Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Gedilam (DBHSS-Gedilam)
4. St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Pavunjur (STJHSS-Pavunjur)

As usual, based on three K-12 groups in India, namely, Primary (GP1), High (GP2) and Higher Secondary (GP3) levels, three children were selected for each school group to take part in the final day of the Quiz. The last round of Bible Quiz for INM Pondicherry Region Schools was held at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Tagore Nagar on October 22, 2024.

About fifty school boys and twelve teachers have attended the quiz program in which thirty-six school children participated in the quiz. Rev. Fr. Gilbert Jeyaraj SDB, Rector and the Salesian community graced the event as chief guest. The event was organized and moderated by Mr. Santo Andrew from Deepagam.

Prize Winners were,

First Prize: STJHSS-Pavunjur(GP2), DBMHSS-Gedilam(GP1), DBHSS-TN(GP1)

Second Prize: STJHSS-Pavunjur(GP1), DBMHSS-Gedilam(GP2), DBHSS-Gedilam(GP2)

Third Prize: STJHSS-Pavunjur(GP3), DBHSS-Gedilam(GP3), DBHSS-TN(GP3)

Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Gedilam bagged first prize; while, St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Pavunjur got second prize and third prize went to Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Tagore Nagar.

The catechetical objective behind Bible Quiz was to imbue in the school children, the biblical knowledge on St Paul and his Charism for the Universal Church. The theme for the day was “St Paul’s Life and His Apostolic Letters” based on the booklet, St Paul’s Information Bank by Fr. Antony Christy SDB (a Deepagam Publication) which contains over 250 informative questions and answers on St Paul, the Apostle.