On that occasion, the Holy Mass celebration in the parish church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Banja Luka was led by the bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Željko Majić, with the concelebration of the director, Msgr. Ivica Božinović, directors of other Catholic school centres and Banja Luka priests. The Holy Mass was attended by teachers, students and friends of the Banja Luka KŠC.

"With this Holy Mass, we would like to thank the late Bishop, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, who founded this Centre, all the previous directors, professors and employees, who have been built into this house of worship and culture like living stones and in which, over the past twenty years, so many young people from this city and the surrounding area have acquired not only knowledge, but also responsibility and love for God and their neighbour", said Bishop Željko, introducing in to the Holy Mass.

In the homily, referring to the Gospel passage, which is part of Jesus' speech at the Last Supper, the bishop sent a strong message about following Christ through his call, I have given you an example. "These words present to us the essence of our Christian faith, which is service in humility. With these words, Jesus shows the way to the disciples, but also to those who will believe their word and clearly shows us which path we should take if we want to be authentic messengers of the Gospel", the bishop said.

Quoting Bl. Ivan Merz, who said that “the Catholic faith is not only a thing of the past, but also the strength of the present and a pledge of the future”, he expressed hope and faith that “the Catholic Church is not only a thing of the past twenty years, but also our present and a pledge of a better and happier future. Our wish and prayer is that the Catholic Church will be and remain a beacon not only of knowledge, but also a school of love of God and love of humanity, a school of love and forgiveness, a builder of peace”, emphasized the bishop.

The Holy Mass was celebrated with singing by the religious students who attend Catholic religious classes with the musical accompaniment of Prof. Blaženka Ivekić on the organ and Dorotea Bekić on the flute.

After the Holy Mass celebration, a solemn academy was organized in the Youth Centre in Banja Luka under the motto Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, which was opened with a documentary film about the school. The film was prepared by members of the elective Croatian language class under the leadership of Prof. Brankica Novaković. The KŠC anthem was performed by the choir under the direction of Prof. Strahinja Buzadžija.

The welcoming speech to the attendees was delivered by the director, Msgr. Ivica Božinović, who thanked all those who have helped and are helping the work of the Centre. He especially greeted the local bishop, Msgr. Željko Majić, all priests, monks, nuns, directors, students, former and current, as well as their parents. He also welcomed the guests, among whom were: Zvonko Milas, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad with associates, Zoran Piličić, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Banja Luka, and representatives of city and entity institutions, directors of high education and high school education institutions in Banja Luka, and HKD Napredak.

The principal expressed his gratitude to the late Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, who founded the school and fought for its survival, to the late Auxiliary Bishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Pero Sudar, who accepted the Banja Luka KŠC into the System of Catholic Schools for Europe and has carefully monitored and supported its work for years, as well as to all institutions such as the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, the RPZ, and to the benefactors who have helped and continue to help the work of the Centre. He expressed special gratitude to the State Office of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Abroad, which has been providing support for years and without whose help the school would have been closed long ago.

"At the centre of our work and in the future will be the person, the young person in his or her entirety. All these years we have shown evangelical breadth capable of accepting others and those who are different, respecting this diversity expressed through different nationalities and religions, but stepping towards the same goal. We have shown that it is possible. We will continue to strive so that young men and women who will be our pride, but also the pride of all those with whom life brings together, in one way or another, fly out of our nest", said the director.

The attendees were also addressed by Mr. Zvonko Milas, who emphasized that KŠC is not only "synonymous with success, quality, innovation, but is also recognized for fostering tolerance and an environment that is extremely important for the upbringing and education of children and youth." "My pride is even greater because the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through the Central Office, is in some way a part of all these results that we hear about and witness every year", emphasized Mr. Milas. He also promised further assistance, expressing his wish that "this KŠC not only survives, but also improves and truly becomes what will enable young people and children to grow up into good and honest people, who will benefit their people".

This was followed by the original performance Putovanje kapljice vode (The Journey of a Drop of Water), by Prof. Sanda Bjelajac and members of the dance section, about the journey of one drop, but also of each of us individually.

The winners of this year's Merz Olympics were also announced at the academy, with Ana Ivana Ćurić winning first place, Danilo Balešević second place, and Una Zekić third. The athlete of the generation was also declared, and this title was won by a fourth-grade student, Andrej Mirnić.

The closing point was the address of the bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Željko Majić. "I do not want to celebrate the birthday of the institution today, but to thank God for the work that this institution has given to the city and society over the past 20 years. I want to see and compare this school as a candle on a lighthouse and as a city on a mountain. Just as a candle that shines on a lighthouse or a city on a mountain cannot be hidden, so too cannot the kindness and dedication of this school be hidden", said Bishop Željko.

He also expressed his gratitude to the late Bishop, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, who founded this KŠC, as well as to all those who have helped the work of this Centre, and in a special way to the representatives of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, headed by State Secretary Mr. Milas, without whose financial assistance and proximity this Centre would have had difficulty surviving. He also thanked the City Administration and the Government of the Republika Srpska, which, through the Secretariat for Religions, supports the work of this Centre, and expressed his hope that the Banja Luka KŠC, like other KŠC in BiH, will finally be included in the regular budget of the Government of the Republika Srpska.

The program was hosted by former students, alumni Ivan Ilić and Ana Mirecki.

After the ceremonial academy, KTA reports, everyone was invited to see two exhibitions. In the Youth Centre, the exhibition Imaginary Landscapes was prepared by first and second grade students with Prof. Nikolina Peslać, and in the school hall, the exhibition Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow was prepared by Prof. Tanja Marić.

The ceremony ended with a reception in the school premises.