Mangaluru: Fr Francis D’Almeida, of St Aloysius College turns 60
Mangaluru, Jun 10: On the occasion of 60th birthday of Fr Francis D’Almeida, vice-principal, St Aloysius College, his family hosted a grand celebration on May 28, 2016. The celebration was befitting as he retired from his post at the end of the month.
The birthday celebrations began with Eucharistic celebration concelebrated by bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, and Fr Francis D’Almeida at St Aloysius College Chapel, followed by a grand felicitation function attended by the Society of Jesus fraternity, family and friends at the at Fr LF Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block, St Aloysius College.
Monsignor Dennis Moras Prabhu, Administrator, AIMIT, Fr Pradeep Sequeira, Managing Director of Al Mazroui & Clevy Automobile Sevice LLC, Clevy Leo Rodrigues, Principal Fr Swebert D’Silva, St Aloysius Registrar, Prof A M Narahari, Emme Saldanha, Joseph D’Almeida, Valerian D’Almeida, MLC Ivan D’Souza and MLA J R Lobo were present.
Valerian D’Almeida, Fr Francis’s younger brother, welcomed and introduced the guests.
The college choir had composed melodious compositions dedicated to Fr Francis for his birthday.
In his message, Fr Dr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, said, “A Jesuit never tires, he only re-tyres himself for another innings in the vineyard of the Lord.”
Raising the toast, Prof A M Narahari described Fr Francis as a fun-loving person. “Fr Francis is deeply spiritual, very compassionate and committed person. I would love to congratulate his mother Stephania D’Almeida for bringing him up that way,” he said.
Prof Edmond Frank read the citation which was followed by the felicitation of Fr Francis.
Monsignor Dennis Moras Prabhu released an abridged version of the biography of Fr Francis compiled and edited by his younger brother Valerian D'Almeida.
In his editorial his brother recalled, that it was in the summer of 1975, in accordance with his parent's instructions he accompanied his two younger brothers, Francis, and his parents to see the rector of St Aloysius Institutions, to offer him to the Jesuits. He remembers his father telling Francis not to look back, and Francis saying 'yes'.
Monsignor Prabhu congratulated the entire family of Fr Francis and said that he felt proud in being associated with Fr Francis and commended him on his good work in the diocese.
Fr Swebert D’Silva revealed that he and Fr Francis had joined the priesthood together and described Fr Francis as a person of helping nature, a 'fund-raiser' in the college and a happy person.
Thanking his family members for special birthday celebration, Fr Francis said that he was really not ready to celebrate his birthday, but his younger brother Valerian and other family members planned everything.
“I would like to recall a quote which I’ve followed all my life. Do what you do, do well,” he said. He also thanked his mother who always encouraged him in his journey of life. He then honoured his mother Stephania D'Almeida and brother Valerian D'Almeida.
Fr Francis and his journey as Jesuit:
Fr Francis D'Almeida was ordained a priest on May 1, 1989 at Sacred Heart Church Surathkal. He was sent to Nagaland to serve in the mission there. Nagaland was taken up by the Jesuits of Karnataka in 1970.
He served there in the capacity of the financial administrator, vice- principal and a lecturer of political Science, apart from parish ministry.
He was the parish priest of St Anne's Church Bijapur from 1992 to 1994 and also the superior of the Jesuit community. When there was earthquake in Latur Osmanabad in 1993 they constructed about 30 houses for Dalits in Taddewadi of Indi Taluka of Bijapur district.
He was transferred to St Joseph's College Bangalore in May 1994. He was director of Navasadhana- Jesuit pre-novitiate, and was a lecturer in political Science, director of Bangalore Christian Students Association and the director of Centre for Social Concern in the College. As director of the Christian Students Association he directed the students towards their faith formation, social responsibility and social commitment.
In 1998 he was appointed principal of St Joseph's Evening College Bangalore. In 3 years the face of Evening college changed by admitting mostly students of weaker sections in society and Dalits. Their performance in the University examinations was remarkable because students were given special attention.
When the bifurcation took place i.e., separation of pre-university from the Degree studies, he was appointed the principal of St Joseph's Pre-university College. There were more than 3000 students in the College during his time.
In 2007, he was transferred to St Aloysius Evening College Mangalore but he served at St Aloysius College Autonomous.
When he came to Mangalore he was made the campus minister, state adviser of Karnataka AICUF- the All India Catholic University Federation. As state adviser he organized many state conventions.
From 2007 to 2015 he helped out in Catholic youth movement, Jesus youth, and lot of parish ministries in the diocese of Mangalore. As Campus minister at St. Aloysius College he re-introduced theology classes for catholic students, built up Marian devotion, regularly organized the sacrament of reconciliation, organized annual retreats for Catholics and skill development and value Education for non-Catholics.
Wishes pour in:
Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, in his message called Fr Francis a gift of God; exemplary priest, with qualities of mind and heart that few have.
Fr Dr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province called him a dynamic Jesuit with lots of initiative and creativity.
Fr Denis Prabhu, vicar general of the Mangalore diocese, chipped in with his praise, calling Fr Francis a combination of intellect and friendliness.
Santosh Kumar Kadri, St Aloysius College Alumnus and Coordinator, says that he is a friend, philosopher and guide.
M Chandrasekhar, a retired Govt Officer, first met him in 1997 in St Josephs Arts and Science College in Bangalore, where he was a lecturer. In him, he says he found his inspiration, for he was compassion personified.
Dr Richard Gonsalves, president of the St. Aloysius College Alumni Association, terms him a cheerful motivator, a true Aloysian and has acronymed his name Francis to describe him thus: Friendly, Resourceful, Affectionate, Noble, Courageous, Inspiring, and Superlative.
Head of Department, Political Science, St Aloysius College, Dr Rose Veera in her message says he is an achiever, an active teacher for whom his students came first and above all “a man of heart”.
Shivdas MV, Regional Head, South, Godrej, Fr Pradeep Sequeira SJ, Dr Jacob Crasta, Founder Chairman, CME Group and Fr Anthony Serrao, parish priest, St Sebastian Church, Bendur and others also paid their tribute and success on his birthday.