The graduation ceremony for 40 second year students from St. Luke’s College was held on 24 March, 2018. They have completed two years study (2016-2018) at joint diploma of East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) and St. Luke’s College, Socio-Pastoral Formation Center. The graduates came from 3 Dioceses – Myitkyina, Banmaw, and Lashio.

On that day, Bishop Francis Daw Tang, Priests, Sisters, Lecturers, Catechists, local faithful, students’ parents and relatives joined the ceremony. Customarily, the Joint Diploma graduation ceremony was held with a Mass celebration. As the Mass started, Fr. Leo, Director of St. Luke’s college, gave a welcome speech. Afterward, the graduation Mass was led by Bishop Francis and concelebrated by many priests. Special guest was Fr. Amal of Myanmar Jesuit Mission from Yangon.  During the Mass, Bishop Francis gave an encouraging homily and invited the graduates to commit in their future missions. During Mass the graduates knelt down and offered their vow before the Altar.

After the Mass, awarding ceremony of the certificate was held. Then the first year students congratulated their seniors with a song. Bishop Francis conferred the Holy Bible and Crucifix necklace to all the graduates.  By this the second year students were recognized officially as Catechists. Then Fr. Leo awarded the Joint Diploma certificates to all the graduates. After this the three outstanding students in academics for the year 2016 -18 were awarded by Sr. Nan Htu, the Academic Dean. Their names are: 1. Pawlu N-Hkum La Nan; 2. Moreen Dashi Kai Lai. 3. Teresa Dum Lu Ja.

After that Sara Bosco, Disciplinarian, explained the process, benchmarks and criteria of selecting two model students (from boys Philip Kumhtung La Doi and from girls Lucia Zetau Lum Naw) other than academics, namely, group work, spiritual formation and discipline. Both were awarded for their personalities.

 

Then Sara Nlam Gam Li, the senior catechist and External Relation Dean and gave a commencement speech to all the graduate students. After that, on behalf of graduate students, Augustine Ngum Naw Awng thanked all. The ceremony ended with a prayer led by Sara John Hawng Hkawng, a senior catechist. Being a happy event, at the end, the College hosted a lunch to all the participants. The day with a cultural evening with singing and dancing.  Cheers to all graduates!