Feb 9 : Lourdes Central School (LCS) celebrated the finale of VICENNIAL YEAR on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at LCS open ground commemorating the glorious achievements in the past 20 years and setting up professional vision to the future. The celebration began with a solemn welcome to the President of the school His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. The LCS family was truly overjoyed at his presence as he made his first official visit to us.
His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha was the President and Chief Guest of the function. The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Rev. Fr. Wilson L. Vitus D’ Souza, Manager Lourdes Central School, members of Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad- Vice President Mr. Stany Vas and Secretary Ms Cony Saldanha, PTEC Vice President Ms. Veena Amrith and Members of the Management Committee- Mr. Augustine Rodrigues, Mr. Roman D’Souza and Dr. Adelaide D’Sa.
The formal programme commenced with a prayer song, sung by the school choir, seeking God’s bounteous blessings on the school and the gathering.
Rev. Fr. Wilson L. Vitus D’ Souza introduced the President and Chief Guest of the function and extended a cordial welcome to the dignitaries and the august gathering.
Principal, Rev. Fr. Robert D’ Souza gave a ‘Bird’s Eye View’ of the LCS 20 sublime years of progress, achievements and memories to last a lifetime.
Jenson Sequera of class 8 enlightened the audience on the significance of the day.
Honouring the achievers
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha honoured the students who have exceptionally excelled with an overwhelming performance both in National and International level. They are: Niranjan Rajiv, Sapta Pavoor, Nidhi Noronha, Aathish Shetty and Meghana Kashyap. The pioneer staffs of LCS were also honoured, recognizing their whole hearted contribution of their time, energy, hard work and commitment towards the development of this prestigious institution. They are: Vice Principal Ms. Belita Mascarenhas, Grace Roche, Lydia D’Souza, Saira Pinto and Philomina Periera.
His Excellency planted a sapling symbolically promoting “Care for the Nature” and exhorting everyone to safe guard the Nature and nurture Greenery.
Collection Drive
Collection drive is a unique feature of Lourdes Central School initiated by Rev. Fr, Principal to mark the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Patroness of the school, every year. The primary aim of this drive is to inculcate values of love, concern and sharing in students. Ardent Lourdites have generously responded to the call. His Excellency handed over the collection to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Bajoodi, Snehalaya Ashram, Manjeshwar and Snehasadan Ashram, Gurpur.
Lourdite family sang a wishing song for His Excellency praying for God’s bountiful blessings in his endeavours.
Presidential Address
His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha in his Presidential address thanked and appreciated for the impressive achievements in the past 20 years especially raising the school to the international standard and obtaining 100 percent result every year. He congratulated the teachers and students for their intense efforts towards building up this institution. He also remembered Rev. Fr. Bernard D’Souza for his initiative, commitment and vision and Rev. Fr. J.P. Tauro for taking the school to the highest standards by getting the permission from the CBSE. Lourdes school is a renowned school, a shining star known to everyone in Mangalore.
He said that when we are happy or sad, we go to our mothers. We have Heavenly mother i.e. Our Lady of Lourdes, Earthly Mother, Teachers, Mother Earth and Lourdes Central School our mother. Students need to be grateful to them always. He created a new full form and meaning to the acronym ‘L.C.S’. ‘L’ stands for lively and loving, ‘C’ stands for compassion, care and concern and ‘S’ stands for simplicity. He urged all the students to be loving, compassionate and simple and build a wonderful personality.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha was felicitated by Rev. Fr. Wilson L. Vitus D’ Souza Manager and Principal, Rev. Fr. Robert D’ Souza with a token of love.
Ms. Belita Mascarenhas, the Vice Principal rendered the vote of thanks.
The cultural programme that followed marked the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This celebration began with a dance invoking her blessing on all. Through this dance, the students of classes 4 to 8 depicted that Mother Mary is the true model for the world today in all respect. The students of classes 4, 6 and 7 portrayed the life of Mother Mary and her inspiration and guidance to the concerned authorities of school through a skit. We also remembered the deceased members of the Lourdite family and prayed for them.
Club Finale
On this occasion the finale of club art and craft exhibition was organized. The LCS orchestra showcased their talents in music live on the stage mesmerizing everyone’s mind and soul. Varieties of beautiful art and crafts and club activities were exhibited. The programme was concluded by singing vicennial concluding song sung by the school choir composed by Mr. Ivan Mascarenhas.
The programme was beautifully compered by Parvati Menon and Aditya Ballal under the able guidance of Ms. Dilla Colaco. The in charge teachers for the programme were Vice Principal, Mr. Ivan, Ms. Shanthi, Ms. Chandini, Ms. Lavina Serao and Linette Pinto.
