Faith Formation at JPSS
John Paul Secondary School, Chelekura, Uganda, East Africa, was established in July, 2007 by Paul and Nancy Berrigan on the Catholic foundations. Being Catholic founded and managed by Archdiocese of Tororo, the school follows Catholic disciplines upon which academic excellence, spiritual and moral growth are all rooted. The main aim of school is to promote the unique integral development of each student through intellectual, social, moral and spiritual growth to enable them be the “great light of the world”.
The following spiritual and social services are extended to the school:
- Daily masses and prayers
- Spiritual talks
- Healing and Deliverance
- Confessions
- Anointing of the sick and Viatcum
- Bible reading and sharing, question and answers on Catholic beliefs, sacraments and doctrine
- Catechetical instructions
- Christian initiation
- Training Mass servers and readers
- Learning church music and playing musical instruments
Besides the above spiritual exercises that aid students in their journey to holiness, the learners have been inspired by the school chaplain to look to holy men and women as role models and guides in fulfilling our their purpose in life. The school has always felt the need to have a school PATRON SAINT who would pray for its steady academic and physical progress. Every class too participated in identification and selection of its intercessory saint as seen below.
SCHOOL PATRON SAINT:
St. John Paul II, Original name: Karol Józef Wojtyła (May 18th,1920-April 2nd,2005), Pope (1978 – 2005), canonized on April 27th 2014 by Pope Francis, feast day October 22, was amicably agreed on by John Paul Secondary School community and church to be the school’s patron saint because: 1) the saint’s name similar to that of the school and 2) John Paul II was the pope of the young whom he regarded as the future of the Church.
INTERCESSORY SAINT BY CLASS:
SCHOOL DEVOTIONS, MOVEMENT, CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Some of the Catholic devotions in John Paul School are: Legion of Mary (weekly recitation of the holy Rosary and daily recitation during the Marian months of the Rosary in October and May), daily recitation of the catena, Divine Mercy rosary at 3 O’clock, the Way of the Cross (during Lent), weekly Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) prayers and Eucharistic adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Through these devotions the learners manifest and express their profound love, respect, reverence and honor to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior through the intercession of His mother. They exercise their spirituality whether through public or private prayer and service to God.
The Movements, Clubs and Associations are:
- Young Christian Students (YCS)
- Educate
- Scouts
- Patriotism
- Journalism/ Writers
- Debating and Environment
These build virtues and values, develop talents and abilities, form character and shape behavior, enhance positivity and cultivate leadership skills.
