Holy Mass celebration in the Žepče parish church of St. Anthony of Padua was led by Archbishop of Vrhbosna cardinal Vinko Puljić in concelebration with the Provincial of the Croatian Salesian Province, rev. Tihomir Šutalo, 16 priests, two deacons and in the presence of several hundred students, staff, Salesian associates, animators and friends of the Centre.

At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the parish priest and dean of the Žepče deanery venerable Predrag Stojčević greeted those present.

In his sermon, the cardinal recalled a few details from Don Bosco's life. He pointed out that many people did not understand this holy man, but he was able, in the spirit of God, to bring the neglected youth to God. The upbringing of children was followed by education.

“We, in our archdiocese, were thinking about how to do more for the young. So we started with Catholic schools ... We felt it was good for another religious society to be in BiH. The Salesians had a lot of their brothers from BiH. ‘Let’s invite them to BiH, to their own country...’ The Vicar for Exiles, Dr. Pero Pranjić, spoke with the Salesian Provincial. The request was granted, and then Bishop Sudar wrote to the Žepče Municipality for the allocation of the site. The municipality gave the land. And KŠC Don Bosco was founded. Today is a moment to thank for all those who have built themselves to continue this work of St. John Bosco - whether with their prayers, sacrifice or charity. It is extremely important that we are able to appreciate this centre of the youth formation in this environment”, said the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and urged the youth to remain in the country where they were born, to guard the Church and the people in this region.

After the Holy Mass at the Don Bosco Catholic School Centre, an Academy was organized.

In his speech, the director of the Centre, rev. Milan Ivančević, said: “I hold it a privilege and the gift from heaven, the fact that I was here in 1999. when our first school with 72 students was allocated to three departments, and when, rev. Mirko Barbarić, rev. Stjepan Matijević and I, together with the first headmaster of the school, Mr. Josip Jozić, ‘were hitting the foundations’ of the Salesian school in BiH.” He added that today there are 372 students in this Centre and 69 employees.

He also referred to the initiation of the supreme leader of Salesian society. “I would be pleased to hear that most educators, at least in our Salesian schools, believe that, in addition to teaching children to acquire a variety of knowledge and to solve tasks, they also serve as a wonderful influential power to see the world, while being important and effective means of shaping of our society for the better”, said the director of the Centre quoting rev. Angelo Fernandez Artime. He then announced that the Student House - the last segment of major construction work at the centre - would be opened in the fall.

During the academy, marked by choir performances, short stage scenes and a video reminder of the school’s 20 years of existence, the Provincial of the Croatian Salesian Province also presented gifts for employees who from the very beginning worked at the then Crafts School - today the only technical and vocational school in the Catholic Schools System for Europe.

“Thank you for testifying for 20 years that upbringing is a supreme value and a dream of God for a young person. I thank you on behalf of the Salesians, and in particular on behalf of the many young people you raised and sent to the world; who you made wonderful parents, good people, great engineers and who knows what else. Congratulations sincerely, and continue to be educators for a long time”, said Provincial Šutalo.

The pupil Antonijo Hrkač was presented with the award for winning third place in the competition of 63 works in the art competition Our Schools are our second home, announced on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Catholic Schools System for Europe.

After the academy, a reception was organized for all visitors.