Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SM/GA)
Mangalore, May 8: The Platinum Jubilee of the founding of M/s Simon Art Co.(formerly Simon & Co), the premier firm in India for church art and statuary, was celebrated on the evening of the May Day, at Angelore here.
Bishop Aloysius P D’Souza of Mangalore and Bishop Gerald I Lobo of Shimoga were present at the thanksgiving mass at the Providence Convent Chapel at Simon Road.
Fr Stany B Lobo, the parish priest of Angelore, preached the homily befitting the feast of St Joseph the Worker and dwelt on the notable contribution made by the firm to the development of Catholic religious art.
At a function that followed in the Convent Hall, Arthur Rasquinha, the proprietor welcomed the guests and his son, Amruth Rasquinha, garlanded the Bishops. Thereafter Alice Rasquinha, the founder’s wife and Merlyn Rasquinha, the proprietor’s wife and an artist joined the dignitaries in lighting the jubilee lamp.
The Bishop of Mangalore who was the chief guest placed a shawl of honor on the portrait of the late Simon S Rasquinha, the founder. He praised the firm whose reputation has spread far and wide, and whose devotion-inspiring statues have adorned many a church in different parts of the world. He also thanked the Rasquinha family for having taken up the mission of serving the Church through their business.
The Bishop of Shimoga who was the guest of honor, presented special gifts to the employees who had completed 25 years of service. He felicitated the firm’s management and staff and paid high tribute to their commitment to quality in producing artistic statues and allied works.
Fr Stany B Lobo and Fr Denis Rasquinha, brother of the founder, distributed jubilee gifts to the staff. Ashwath Rasquinha, the younger son of the proprietor, who is about to begin his career at Simon Art Co. presented jubilee mementos to the Bishops. Gracy D’ Silva proposed a vote of thanks.
The function was ably compered by Ullas Rasquinha, the proprietor’s cousin and owner of M/s Jerosa Company.