UNIKA St. Paul Ruteng Students Organize Easter Assistance in Parishes of Ruteng and Labuan Bajo Diocese

LABUAN BAJO TERKINI – Students from Catholic University (UNIKA) St. Paulus Ruteng organized Christmas and Easter service projects in various parishes in the Dioceses of Ruteng and Labuan Bajo. These efforts aim to enhance faith and promote social and spiritual growth. Recently, students, including those from the English Education Study Program, assisted in Easter activities at four locations. The selection of sites was influenced by the parishes’ willingness to accept student support and their pastoral needs. This initiative reflects the active participation of young Catholics in church life.

This Easter aid activity was based on the Tri Darma of Higher Education and was notably included in the third element, which is Community Service (PKM), according to Fr. Raimundus Beda SVD, one of the assistants for the Easter assistance in 2025.

Additionally, the students’ eagerness to actively engage in pastoral life and contribute to the spread of faith among the populace is what drives this Easter aid action. The UNIKA St. Paulus campus, parish priests, parishioners, and lecturers as helpers were among the groups participating in its implementation.

Both throughout the preparation phase and the assistance process, the campus is crucial in helping and supporting students in this activity. Fr. Fransiskus Laka Lazar SVD clarified that the campus plays a significant part in organizing this Easter aid initiative. The campus’s duty begins with preparation; in this phase, it makes room for each support group to share training spaces. In addition, there are songs available, particularly from the vice-chancellor 3 and each study program after that. Additionally, the campus arranges transportation funding to the aid location.

Fr. Fransiskus Laka Lazar SVD contended that, generally speaking, the campus bears the majority of the transportation expenses; only a small portion is borne by the students in each group, but overall, the campus plays a significant part in arranging this support for implementation and other related matters.

In addition to being released, students receive instruction and spiritual development so they can do their responsibilities in a responsible manner. Students participate in a range of pastoral activities while receiving help, including worship services, liturgical exercises, social activities, and faith-building with others. Their attendance bolstered the people’s Easter celebration spirit.

When the students showed up there, the parishioners and priests had a very enthusiastic reaction. The students’ youthful spirit inspires and helps a lot of people. The priests also applaud the campus initiative in developing synergy between the realm of education and pastoral care.

“The presence of students in a parish or station where the aid was very useful was the reason for the very positive response from the public and parish priests”, according to Mr. Yustus Sentus Halum.

Additionally, Mr. Sen clarified that during the activity, student assistants play a crucial role in organizing, directing, and assessing how the help is being implemented.

Mr. Sen went on to say that the largest obstacle to Easter assistance this year is that all of the students involved appear to be new to the committee and the organization. As a result, they will likely need to gain a lot of knowledge in order to be more prepared for this activity in the future.

“There are two classes with all of their members at level one. Their managerial abilities in handling circumstances, activities, and so on are undoubtedly difficult, but thankfully, the challenges have been lessened, and no major roadblocks were discovered prior to the Easter assistance’s implementation. The enormous number of members is the second challenge. Of course, the challenge lies in overcoming these obstacles through effective teamwork and gaining insight into each member’s unique personality”, he said on May, 11, 2025.

Mr. Sen also thought this exercise was great since it teaches UNIKA St. Paulus Ruteng students how to interact with the community, collaborate with others, and grow as people in the community.

It is anticipated that UNIKA St. Paul Ruteng will continue to carry out this activity annually. The assistants shared their desire that students will grow in their faith, compassion, and ability to be change agents in the community after receiving this help.

Students at UNIKA St. Paulus Ruteng demonstrate in the spirit of Easter that faith is not only believed in but also lived out in tangible ways that serve others and bring glory to God.

Oleh: Armindo Melkianus Atok, Gregoriani Eflin Parut, Fabiola Yutri Jenuri, Alfonsa Anastasia Farni – Mahasiswa Prodi Bahasa Inggris Unika St.Paulus Ruteng Manggarai NTT