St. Francis Assisi’s Pastoral and Catechesis High School (STPKat) in Semarang marked a milestone in its mission to form Catholic educators, sending off 25 new graduates equipped to teach and evangelize across Indonesia.
The graduates, who completed the Bachelor of Catholic Religious Education program, were officially conferred their degrees during a commencement ceremony last week themed “Becoming Catechists of Integrity in Proclamation and Service Amid the Church and Society.”
The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass and Missio Canonica—a formal sending-off rite—presided over by Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang, together with Fathers FX Sugiyana and Heri Krismawanto.
“You are not merely recipients of academic titles,” Archbishop Rubiyatmoko said in his homily. “You are officially sent forth by the Church as evangelizers and educators of the faith.” He urged the new graduates to live their calling “with integrity, a spirit of service, and steadfast faith amid the challenges of modern society.”
The ceremony honored Stefanus Januar Siscautama and Dewi Ratna Jai as the year’s top graduates, both earning cum laude distinction.
The event drew support from both Church and government officials. Among the guests were Suparman, Director General of Catholic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Salman Habeahan, Director of Catholic Education. Their presence signaled strong institutional backing for the school’s mission.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Stefanus Januar expressed “heartfelt gratitude for the calling to serve as a teacher of the Catholic faith.”
Dr. Hartutik, STPKat chairperson, reaffirmed the school’s commitment to forming “professional educators who are pastorally grounded,” while Sr. M. Patrice OSF, chair of the OSF Congregation’s Education Commission, reminded the graduates to remain faithful to their ministry, drawing inspiration from Saint Francis of Assisi.
Closing the ceremony, Suparman acknowledged STPKat’s “strategic role in producing teachers and catechists,” calling on the graduates to be “salt and light” in schools and Church communities.
STPKat, run by the Sisters of St. Francis (OSF), offers two key programs: the Bachelor of Catholic Religious Education and the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) track. It has earned “excellent” accreditation from both the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) and the Independent Accreditation Body for Education (LAMDIK).
Located in Semarang’s historic Old Town, STPKat serves a diverse student body from across the country, many of whom receive scholarships from the Ministry of Religious Affairs or support from parishes and dioceses.
With a formation rooted in academic rigor, spiritual depth, and a commitment to service, STPKat continues to respond to the Church’s need for dedicated educators and catechists in Indonesia’s growing Catholic communities. – with reports from Sr. Franciana Andarweni OSF
