Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 1: The 113th death anniversary of Fr Augustus Muller SJ and the feast of All Saint's Day and a special occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava was commemorated through a Thanksgiving Mass in the St Joseph Chapel early in the morning on Wednesday November 1. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore diocese and president of Father Muller Charitable Institutions led the Mass along with the priests of the management.

In his sermon, he called all to be 'perfect' as Jesus said that ‘the Father is perfect’ and advised all to be steadfast in faith. The saints though role models, Jesus is the horizon for all, he said.

The foundation stone blessing ceremony of the Father Muller College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Father Muller Medical College - silver jubilee academic block and Father Muller PG hostel-cum-apartments was later conducted in the decennial memorial hall presided by president of FMCI most Dr Peter Paul Saldanha and NRI philanthropist and entrepreneur Michael D'Souza was the chief guest along with his better half Flavia D'Souza.

Fr Ronald led the prayer through a scripture reading from the Gospel of St Mark on being the light to the world as the Father is. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, the director FMCI the gathering. Charity Care Trust run by Mr Michael D'Souza has extended its help to construct the Jubilee academic block and NRI hostel.

The 50,000 sq ft pharmacy college designed by Christopher Noronha for the pharmacy college, NRI hostel of 18 floors designed by SKS Associates and FMMC silver jubilee academic block by Saldanha associates were unveiled.

Fr Ajith B Menezes administrator provided the details of the new structures. He also appraised the gathered of the state government’s approval of the new pharmacy college a day earlier.

Michael in his address thanked God for his generosity to his family by giving him a little more than what is required for his comfort, this to be used for the good of others. His charity trust works for building houses for the poorest of the poor, academic growth of poor students, helping the needy in healthcare and entrepreneurship development by knowledge seeding and partnership.

Poverty and sickness makes life a misery, so his family oath is to help those in need. He praised the director FMCI Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho for his vision and mission in making the institutions the beacon of healthcare in the region. He thereafter donated through a cheque of Rs 50 crore for the 2 projects.

An MoU signing session was held between the Charity Care Trust and FMCI.

In his presidential address, the Bishop of Mangalore thanked Michael for his generosity and magnanimous nature for his heart was larger than normal. “His expression of having enough being the custodian of this gift of God makes him an example for all. The vision of FMCI is to be at the forefront of healthcare for the glory of God, glory of God being manfully alive, this man's glory is in the vision of God. The real humanity we will be in the presence of God. The grace felt by those in care of the Father Muller medical College hospital is the works of God,” he said.

Dr Swapna P K, associate professor of the department of medicine compered the event. The management committee, advisory committee members of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions along with the governing board members of Charity Care Trust were present.