Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 3: Lourdites Annual Day 2016 at Lourdes Central School saw life and energy propelled into 'Lourdes for peace and Unity', formulated by the school this year.
The entire programme revolved around the theme stemming from the principal’s welcome statement 'What can you do to promote world peace? Go home, love your family' as quoted by Mother Teresa. The show commenced with melodious voices from the school choir singing a prayer song rendition. This was followed by items staged by the tiny tots from the kindergarten section wherein they danced to the tunes of filmy family songs based on peace. Next came the performance from students of classes 1, 2 and 3 spreading the fragrance of peace in the family and the neighbourhood.
Patriotism towards the country was dramatized by the class 4 students who highlighted the loyalty of the Indian armed forces hand in hand with compassionate loveable Mother of India, St Teresa of Kolkata. The most riveting performance which drew an unceasing applause was Sarva Dharma Bhava by the class 5 graders. The vibrancy with which India 'Lourdites for peace and unity' was conceptualized through dance drama and skits captivated the audience. The chief guest Dr Sr Shalini A C was all in praises for the little children of Lourdes Central School. The entourage of dignitaries showered their wishes on the success of the programme of the primary section.
Special thanks was rendered to the emcees of the day and the teacher of Lourdes Central School. A white handmade rose beautifully crafted by the students of class 5 as a takeaway for the audience and the guest was a silent but noteworthy end to a memorable annual day.
Rev Fr Wilson V D’Souza presided over the function. Principal Fr Robert D’Souza welcomed the gathering and presented an annual report of the school. Lydia D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks.
School Annual Day for classes 6 to 12 was celebrated in the evening of the same day at Bejai Church hall. There were a variety of events from each class on the same theme. The programme took off with a prayer song and a welcome dance.
Fr DenzilLobo SJ, director, St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology, Mangaluru was the chief guest while Fr Wilson L Vitus D’Souza, manager, Lourdes Central School, presided over the function. Fr Walter D’Mello, associate judicial vicar, Ecclesiastical Tribunal, diocese of Mangaluru Fr Stany Pinto, assistant parish priest, Bejai parish, Stany Vaz, vice president, Connie Saldanha, secretary, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad, were present.
Principal of the school Fr Robert D’Souza welcomed the esteemed and erudite guests and gathering while vice-principal Belita Mascarenhas introduced the chief guest.
A family does not need to be perfect: it just needs to be united, which will lead to an experience of peace. Lourdes Central School, after having cherished and experienced peace and unity was delighted to share it with all, through words and actions.
The principal Fr Robert D’Souza presented the school annual report 2016-17.
The chief guest Fr Densil Lobo, in his address, appreciated and congratulated the participants. Young students are the future of our country and the world at large. Education should aim at a holistic development of the students. He highlighted the thought of Swami Vivekananda saying, “Education should be life-building, man making, character building and assimilation of ideas.”
Calling upon parents he added, “Important values have to be inculcated and cherished in children. Education is growing in wisdom and not gathering knowledge.” He summarized education saying that education is competency, consciousness, compassion and commitment.
Fr Wilson L Vitus D’Souza, in his presidential address appreciated the message given by the chief guest. He said, “Education comes from knowledge we get from values." Values have to be inculcated in children. Values taught in school need to be cherished at home." Emphasizing on the theme of the day he stated that we have enough wealth but no peace and unity. Therefore we need to imbibe the values of peace and unity in children for they are the messengers of peace and unity.
The chief guest Fr Denzil Lobo was felicitated for the services rendered in the field of education by Fr Wilson D’Souza and Fr Robert D’Souza.
It was the experience of everyone that the school annual day was truly visited by the prominent history makers, philosophers, spiritual leaders and activists in the stars of LCS spreading the message of peace and unity. Students of class 6 presented the exclusive qualities of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher of our country India, rich in spiritual and intellectual realm, working towards integrity and peace while students of class 7 shared information on how Nelson Mandela through the means of sacrifice and non-violence brought about freedom and justice. Students of class 8 presented the spirituality of Gautama Buddha. The commendable perseverance and benevolence of Malala Yousufzai was demonstrated by the students of class 9 while the students of class 10 enacted the play ‘The MidSummer Night Dream’ by the greatest dramatist of all times William Shakespeare, also giving out a message of spreading goodness around. A scintillating performance was presented by the students of classes 11 and 12 on child rights and Kailash Satyarthi. The progaramme was immensely enriching and inspiring to promote peace and unity in oneself, family, society and world at large.
Belita Mascarenhas vice principal rendered the vote of thanks.
The programme was beautifully compered by Ananya, Anjali, Vanshika, Reuban, Afra, Ioni, Eva, Melisha and Pranjal.