On the 25th of October 2023, Reverend Father Jean Bosco NTIRENGANYA, the Principal of IFAK Don Bosco Kimihurura, presided over the commencement of the 2023-2024 School Year with a resolute commitment to rise and progress just as the Virgin Mary swiftly heeded her calling. He emphasized, ‘Our reliance on the Holy Spirit is paramount in our journey to stand, advance, and toil diligently.’
The inauguration of the school year began with a Holy Mass, where the IFAK teaching community and students congregated at the Kimihurura Mary Help of Christians Parish.
The sermon of the day centered on the Holy Gospel from Luke 1:39, narrating how the Virgin Mary promptly embraced her divine mission and journeyed with eagerness. The entire IFAK community is united in their determination to rise and move forward, driven by a collective sense of purpose and enthusiasm.
During his homily, Reverend Father Jean Bosco NTIRENGANYA, the Principal of IFAK, recounted Mary’s journey, her divine selection by an angel for a great purpose, and drew parallels between her unwavering faith and the faith that students and teachers must possess in their potential.
He urged the students to approach their education with the same enthusiasm Mary had for her divine calling, stating, ‘You too have been chosen with a purpose – to learn, grow, and positively impact the world. Embrace this journey with open hearts and eager minds.’
We need the Holy Spirit to help us move
Father Ntirenganya reminded the students and the IFAK teaching community that, as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her unborn baby leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, Elizabeth exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’
He stressed that the Holy Spirit is a divine gift from heaven and that we must allow it to guide us, as Mary did when the Angel Gabriel informed her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will envelop you with its shadow. Thus, the child will be holy and known as the Son of God.’
‘We receive the Holy Spirit to gain strength. With the Holy Spirit, we can rise and move. This is our theme for the year – to rise and work diligently under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.’
The ceremony proceeded with musical performances, student speeches, and games.
IFAK is a private secondary school situated in the Kimihurura sector, Gasabo District, within Kigali City. The school is under the patronage of the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Catholic faith-based religious congregation recognized and registered as a legal entity under the name “Oeuvres de Don Bosco au Rwanda.”
Since 1964, the school has been serving the nation by providing education and instilling religious values in the youth. IFAK offers both ordinary and advanced level education. At the advanced level, the school offers five different combinations, including PCM (Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics), MCB (Mathematics-Chemistry-Biology), MCE (Mathematics-Computer Science-Economics), MEG (Mathematics-Economics-Geography), and MPC (Mathematics-Physics-Computer Science).
As an educational institution, IFAK aims to offer young people a comprehensive education, nurturing their knowledge, skills, positive attitudes, and critical thinking. These qualities are designed to prepare students for competitiveness in the job market and active participation in the social and political life of the country.”
