Bishop Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza presides over the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SLHS

By Bellevision Team

Moodubelle, 29 December 2009: Following the grand opening ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of St. Lawrence High School in the morning, the chief function of the Golden Jubilee was held at 5.30 PM sharp in the evening of Monday, 28th December 2009, presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore. The chief guest was Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon, MLA representing the Kaup Constituency and the guests of honour were, Mr. Manjunathiah, Block Education Officer, Udupi South Range and guests of honour were Mr. Gerald Fernandes, Member of Udupi Zilla Panchayat and Mr. Shashidhar Wagle, President of Belle Grama Panchayat.

Following the formal welcome by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions, the Golden Jubilee Function was inaugurated by Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon by lighting few of the fifty lamps that were arranged in circular forms to indicate the 50 years of St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle. Other dignitaries on the dais including the Bishop, Fr. Joswey, Fr. Paul, Mr. Manjunathiah, Mr. Gerald Fernandes, Mr. Shashidhar Wagle, Mr. Henry Fernandes, Mr. Devdas Hebbar, Mrs. Meera Lobo, Mrs. Hilda Aranha and the student leaders of the High School and PU College lighted the remaining lamps. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza unveiled the portrait of late Fr. Abundius D’Souza, founder of St. Lawrence High School fifty years ago and offered floral tribute and so did other dignitaries.

The report of the Golden Jubilee Year was read out by Mrs. Hilda Aranha, Secretary of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee and the Annual Report of the institutions was presented by Fr. Paul Sequeira, Principal of St. Lawrence Composite PU College. An emotional tribute (shraddhanjali) was paid by Mrs. Shamala, lecturer of PU College to the founder, Fr. Abundius D’Souza and all those Correspondents, Head Masters, Principals, members of the teaching and non-teaching staff and students who have departed from this world during the past fifty years.

The souvenir commemorating the fifty years of St. Lawrence High School titled “Swarna Vallari” (Golden Creeper) was released by Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon. Endowment Prizes were distributed by Mr. Manjunathiah to meritorious students of SSLC and PUC who had scored highest marks in their respective public examinations and those students who had excelled in extra-curricular activities and sports. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza inaugurated the Endowment Prize Fund constituted to honour and perpetuate the memory of the Founder, Correspondents, Head Masters, Principals and Members of teaching and non-teaching staff.

All those persons who had sponsored the Endowment Prize Fund and had donated generously for the Golden Jubilee Fund were felicitated and honoured. Here a special mention can be made to the highest donation of five lacs of rupees made by Mr. William Aranha from Canada and the Bellevision (UAE).

In his presidential speech Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza said that for lighting fifty lamps today one should remember that the first lamp was ignited by late Fr. Abundius D’Souza and the successive Correspondents, Head Masters, Principals, teaching and non-teaching staff and students had provided the necessary oil so that the remaining forty-nine lamps could be lighted. He opined that the emotional ‘shraddhanjali’ paid to all the departed persons associated with St. Lawrence Educational Institution was a befitting tribute to those great souls who toiled and sacrificed for the development of the institutions. He complemented Fr. Joswey and Fr. Paul for the progress that St. Lawrence Educational Institutions have been making in academics and other fields.

The entire stage programme was compered by Mr. Charles Quadros and Mrs. Sarojini, teacher in the High School. The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Devraj Shanbahgh.

As the vote of thanks was being offered, the unexpected rain disrupted the later entertainment programme for some time. However, within ten minutes the rain subsided and the entertainment programme started and few dances were performed excellently by the High School students. After half an hour, the showers became more intense and some people made their way to their homes. However, thinking that the rains would stop, a number of people waited patiently for the programme to restart. Finally, in order not to disappoint the waiting people and those student artists who were ready with makeup and dress, on the initiative of Fr. Arun Mendonca, Mr. Henry Fernandes and Mr. Valerian Alva, President of Bellevision the remaining entertainment programme was continued in the College Hall.