Mangaluru: As Lourdes Central School celebrates its Silver Jubilee Year, His Excellency, The Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, made his official visit to the School on 19 August 2023. The Bishop was given a traditional welcome and received the Royal Salute from Shreya, Arjun and the School Band. To grace this beautiful occasion, the Bishop of Mangalore and President of the Catholic Board of Education was accompanied by Rev. Fr Thrishaan DSouza, Secretary to the Bishop; the Manager Rev. Dr John Baptist Saldanha, the Principal Rev. Fr Robert DSouza, Rev. Fr Arul Joseph, Rev. Fr Suraj Lobo, Ashok Pinto, Vice President and Avita Cynthia Pinto, Secretary, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad; Vice Principals Belita Mascarenhas and Anita Thomas, Head Boy Arjun Kumar and Head Girl Prajna K P. The entourage of distinguished guests was escorted to the venue by the school band striking a march past.
The programme commenced at 10 a.m. at the Bejai Church Hall with the Lourdite dancers exhibiting the traditional devotional dance. To invoke God’s blessings, the School Choir sang a euphonious prayer song. The Principal Rev. Fr Robert DSouza welcomed the gathering and gave a sublime bird’s eye view of the School. The Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha felicitated the winners of the Inter School Chess Competition and Yakshagana.
A citation was read to honour and acknowledge the Bishop’s great work for the Church and society by Shaila Pereira. His Excellency, The Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was felicitated by the Manager Rev. Dr John Baptist Saldanha, the Principal Rev. Fr Robert DSouza, Rev. Fr Arul Joseph, Rev. Fr Suraj Lobo, Ashok Pinto, Vice President and Avita Cynthia Pinto, Secretary, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad; Vice Principals Belita Mascarenhas and Anita Thomas.
The Bishop of Mangalore and President of Catholic Board of Education, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha delivered the Presidential Address and said that LCS is one of the renounced schools of the city and the values taught are universal. He stated that the school teaches charity and wants to form the students’ character. He told the students to accept their weaknesses, love their teachers, absorb what their teachers say, carry the name of the school wherever they go and be noble people. This is what the Catholic Board of Education upholds. The Bishop appreciated the students for taking part in various competitions and for the disciplined school band.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Riya Lobo of Class XC. Jane Moras and Immanuel Furtado of Class XA were the comperes. The Bishop received a standing ovation as he proceeded to Lourdes Central School to meet and greet the blooming buds from KG to Class III. The children expressed their gratitude through an action song.
