Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 11: 'To serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign there and to live under her commands is more than to govern' - St John Vianney
Lourdes Central School on February 11 celebrated the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes.
The programme began at 8.00 am on the school ground. The esteemed guests who graced the occasion with their presence were Fr Dr John Baptist Saldhana manager of LCS, Fr Robert D'Souza principal, Belita Mascarenhas vice-principal, assistant parish priest Fr Pramod Crasta, Fr Joy Vishwas Misquith, Bejai parish pastoral parishad vice-president Ashok Pinto, secretary Preethi Gomes, management committee and finance committee members.
The programme began with a prayer song followed by a welcome address by Samira of Class 6. Rishel Saldhana of class 11 spoke on the significance of the day.
The president of the programme, Fr Dr John Baptist Saldhana wished every Lourdite and encouraged the students to catch up with the skills of learning and to respect and honour their parents and the patroness.
A wishing song in honour of the school patroness was presented by the school choir and a beautiful festive dance was performed by the staff. The whole programme was compered by Viva Pinto and Samith Shetty of class 9. The vote of thanks was proposed by Caryl Coelho of class 9.
Collection drive
To commemorate the occasion, the school conducted a collection drive where items of daily use and grocery items fice, daal, atta, sugar, tea powder were collected. The staff and students contributed their mite to the underprivileged of society and the items collected were then distributed to the various families in need, particularly in and around Bejai.
Eucharistic celebration
After the cultural programme, was a Eucharistic celebration for the Catholic students celebrated by Fr Maxim Noronha, vicar general of the diocese of Mangaluru. The liturgy and choir were conducted by the students under the guidance of Ivan Mascarenhas and Roshan Cordeiro. Both the staff and the students brought offerings to the church. The foundation stone for the extension of the school building was blessed by Fr Maxim Noronha. Finally, the principal expressed his gratitude to all present during the eucharistic celebration. It was a momentous occasion for the entire Lourdite family.