Thanksgiving Mass and Procession mark the beginning of the Centenary Celebration

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’belle, 29 Dec 2013: The long awaited Centenary Celebration of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School began with solemn Thanksgiving Mass and a grand procession of students, old students and parishioners from the church to the school on Sunday, 29 December 2013.

 

Rev. Fr. Joswwey Fernandes, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions concelebrated the Thanksgiving Mass at 7.30 am. The liturgy of the mass was animated by the Headmaster, staff and old students of the school. Fr. Reginald Pinto delivered the homily highlighting the importance of the family as  the church celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family.

 

Following the end of the mass, the grand procession marking the beginning of the Centenary Celebration proceeded from the church to the school premises through the main road of Moodubelle township accompanied by band. Present and past students of the school, parishioners and priests went in procession to the school where the present students of the school held the assembly.

 

After the prayer song, Sylvester Mathias, present headmaster of the school welcomed the guest. Rajendra Shetty-President of  the Belle Grama Panchayat and the Old Students Association hoisted the school flag. He also released hundred coloured balloons marking the completion of 100 years by the school.

 

Prizes to the meritorious students from first to seventh standards were distributed by the dignitaries-Fr. Reginald Pinto, Fr. Robert Lasrad(OFM-Cap), Commodore Jerome Castelino, Alphonse Alva, Gerald Fernandes and Rajendra Shetty.

 

 

Rajendra Shetty who presided over the function in his message urged all the old students to participate in various events that were scheduled during the day. Sports in the morning and stage and cultural  programme in the evening.

 

Breakfast to all those present for the inaugural function was served. Thereafter various games were conducted to the old students. Mrs. Sarita D’Souza, Mrs. Anitha Alva and Maxim D’Sa conducted the games. As this report is being filed games were in progress so also cooking for lunch in which nearly 1200 old and new students, their parents and well-wishers are expected to take part. The lunch is beingf sponsored by Mr. Isaac and Mrs. Leena D’Almeida.