by Sunita D'Souza for BISMumbai

The new academic year 2025–2026 at St Joseph’s High School, Wadala, began on a hopeful and welcoming note. Staff and students gathered on Monday morning to mark the occasion with simple yet meaningful celebrations that reflected the values of the institution.

As students arrived, they were greeted warmly by the school management. Fr James Nigrel, Rector and Manager, stood at the entrance with rose petals in hand, offering a cheerful welcome that brought smiles to many young faces. Alongside him were Fr Solomon Rapol, Principal, Fr Bonny Borges, Vice-Rector and Administrator, and Fr Diego Nunes, Assistant Parish Priest. Their presence helped set a warm and inclusive tone for the day.

To begin the year with a spirit of gratitude and reflection, a Eucharistic celebration was held at Our Lady of Dolours Church, led by Fr James. At the same time, a prayer service was conducted in the school hall for the remaining students and staff. Fr Solomon led the service, offering words of encouragement and guidance.

The prayer service was organised by Tr Daisy Sharma and the Class X students. Centered on the theme of Hope, the service included the lighting of a lamp, a hymn, and readings from different religious texts. Special prayers were offered for the school community and for those affected by recent tragedies, including the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Ahmedabad Air India crash. A bhajan, Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum, was sung as a shared prayer for peace and healing.

A short motivational video was screened, telling the story of a young boy battling bone cancer with courage and faith. It served as a reminder of the strength found in hope and perseverance. After the prayer, Fr Solomon addressed the gathering, officially welcoming everyone back to school and encouraging students to face the year ahead with confidence and purpose.

Following the service, Fr James visited classrooms throughout the school, offering blessings with holy water. Later in the morning, Fr Solomon led a prayer over the intercom, thanking God for the start of a new year and inviting students to look forward with renewed enthusiasm.

This year, the school has chosen Hope as its guiding theme—a message that resonated clearly throughout the day’s events. As the new term begins, staff and students alike carry forward a shared spirit of optimism, inspired by the values of the Don Bosco educational tradition.