Kallianpur: Catholic Sabha Celebrate ‘Teachers Day, 2024’, with all respects and honours to all the teachers of the parish community…..
Today being the3rd day of Novena in honour of Mother Mary, in preparation of Monthi Feast, at 8.00 am the spacious Church almost full to its capacity to offer the Thanksgiving High Mass, celebrated by Vicar Rev. Dr Roque DSouza, who specially in his homily acknowledged the services of Teachers in moulding young minds and be inspired by Jesus Christ our supreme teacher. He also made a mention of St Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who too followed Him in every possible way.
Soon after the Holy Mass and Novena, all teachers were gathered in the adjacent Mini hall to have breakfast. During the followed formal felicitation programme at 9.20 am, after invoking Almighty Lords Blessings through a beautiful hymn led by ICYM and the members Choir team of the Church, the former Principal of the Dhanvantari College of Nursing, Mrs Prathibha Braggs extended a warm and homely welcome to all the teachers gathered and dignitaries present.
The President of Catholic Sabha , Mount Rosary Church, Mr Elias DSouza, recalled that that, the nation respectfully remember former President of India Dr S. Radha Krishnan, famed philosopher, a teacher on his birthday on 5th September, respectfully as Teachers Day, Sunday, the 1st September, 2024 has been specially chosen by the Pastoral Commission for Education of the parish in collaboration with the Catholic Sabha Unit of the Mount Rosary Church to recognise, honour and highlight the significance of teachers in our parish in particular and society in general. In his official welcome address, had all praises for the teachers of past and present, who played a vital role in shaping our lives… He recognised all the guests on the dais with roses and extending greetings of the day.
To inaugurate the colourful event, the well decorated portraits of former President Dr S Radha Krishnan and St Mother Teresa were garlanded by Vicar Rev Dr Roque DSouza, Chief Guest V. Rev Fr Vincent Crasta and other guests as a mark of respects to a great visionary and philosopher.
Vicar Rev Dr Roque DSouza had a very special day today, as his pet student in the Seminary Very Rev Fr Vincent Robert Crasta, the Secretary CESU, was the chief guest for the Teachers Day Celebrations 2024. While addressing the teachers he recollected nostalgic memories of student days as at home his elder sister too was a teacher… Teachers have greater responsibilities not only imparting knowledge but to instil moral and ethical values in the young minds of children being model for them to imitate….message, outlined the legacy of Dr Radha Krishnan and especially appreciated the organisers for remembering St Teresa of Calcutta, who too was a teacher by profession and the spontaneous initiative of Catholic Sabah and Commission for Education and others to recognise, appreciate the role of teachers in each one’s life.
Prof Archibald Furtado gave a brief introduction of the distinguished Chief Guest Very Rev Fr Vincent Crasta – Secretary CESU – Catholic Education Trust Udupi Diocese, a preacher, a teacher, an illustrious trainer and an able administrator with the experience of handling numerous posts of responsibilities and authority at ease.
It was a unique and special moment as names of all the Teachers of the parish were invited to the dais to receive memento and roses as a mark of appreciation, recognition and respect from the Chief Guest.
What followed was a real feast to listen to Very Rev Fr Vincent R Crasta, as he shared his student life at different Schools and Colleges, highlighting the way these teachers made us to learn, corrected with punishment but loved to the core… and today feeling proud to see us to be successful in our life……‘Along with knowledge based teaching’ he emphasised on ‘let your mission be imparting value based, ethical and socially responsible’
On behalf of the Teachers, former Principal of St Mary’s High School, Karanglapady Mrs Myrtle Lewis, Mrs Flavia Noronha, Professor MAHE Nursing College, Mr Royston Quadrus Lecturer in Commerce, of Moloor PU College, with their crispy reply to the felicitations and shared their respective experiences in the noble teaching profession over the years. Also thanked all concerned, on behalf all gathered teachers from different Institutions and choosing them and wished all teachers to be trend setters to identify the talents, traits and strengths and to convert the pupil in their custody to be extra ordinary…….
All the teachers, about 75 in the parish were present on this occasion. The HM and her team of teachers Mount Rosary English Medium High School presented a melodious song composed by Legendary Wilfy Rebimbus, ‘Maag, maag, maag tuka melthellen’, to wish and thank the teaching community. The Members of the Commission for Education, the ICYM, and Gurkars of 18 wards witnessed the function…
Among others, Assistant Parish Priest Rev Fr Oliver Nazareth, SRA Gorettee Convent superior Sr. Jane, HM Sr Ancilla DMello, Vice President of Parish Pastoral council Mr Luke DSouza, President Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh Mr Santhosh Cornelio, Varado President Mrs Rosy Quadurs, representatives of pious organisations of the church, Catholic Sabah Office bearers and members were present in large number.
To conclude the well arranged ‘Teachers Day programme, Mrs Wilma Maria Rego, the Secretary of Catholic Sabah, Mount Rosary Church (CS-MRC), proposed vote of thanks.
All teachers were happy to carry mementos and were served with delicious breakfast and refreshments.
Reported by: Wilma Maria Rego Photographs: Tolbert DSouza / Praveen Cutinho.
