On the 26th of April 2017, Catholic Polytechnic leaders from all five Polytechnics, (Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nan Yang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic) came together for the Annual Polytechnic Leaders Commissioning Mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
The leaders are from various walks of life but all of them decided to say “yes” and step up as leaders in their respective campuses. The journey of becoming a leader is rarely easy and can be fraught with challenges. “God has revealed the love of the Good Shepherd to me. Though I initially felt unworthy to serve as a leader of the Catholic Student Society, I have now learnt to offer up the little I have to God and let Him work his ways in me.” said Justin Toh from Singapore Polytechnic as he reflected on why he decided to step up and become a leader in campus.
The community was blessed to have his Grace Archbishop William Goh celebrate the mass for us. He reminded the Poly Leaders that they had been chosen to spread the Good News to the other Catholics in their campuses and that it should not be covered and kept to oneself. Instead, sharing the faith is the best way to protect it.
Each leader was given a crucifix. Engraved on each of them, was an image of the Good Shepherd and a dove to represent the Jesus carrying His wayward sheep and the Holy Spirit guiding the church respectively. Previous years leaders passed on candles to the new leaders, symbolizing the passing on of the beacon of responsibility and leadership.
“The mass touched my heart in an intimate way. Having been given the responsibility of an entire school community has not been easy to take in, but the mass showed me that I’m not the only one that God has called upon to serve, and that I’m not alone in this faith journey.” said Basil Kwok from Republic Polytechnic as he took on the mantle of leadership during the mass.
We continue in our support for this new batch of leaders as they bring the Lord’s love and light to their respective campus communities. We ask that you keep them in prayer as they seek to serve their communities.
