Sr. Molly Fernandes sfn –
Goa: It is said that when we honour the past, we energize the future and the present becomes a celebration. The Diamond Jubilee of St. Michael’s Convent High School, Anjuna-Goa, came to a full circle at the culmination with a Eucharist celebrated at 9.00 am, “In Gratitude, Re-Dedicating a Glorious Past to a Radiant Future” on 29th September 2022, at Anjuna, North Goa.
His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao was escorted from Mapusa by the school management under police personnel and welcomed by Rev. Sr. Berna Rodrigues, the Superior General at the entrance gate of the school with a floral basket on the beat of the school band and shower of petals by the students.
The joyful culmination ceremony of the diamond jubilee of St. Michael’s School was simple yet unique. Indeed, it was a special occasion as designed by the Almighty, for the purple cap celebrant Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, to don the red cap at this gracious event. Certainly! a blessing for the Institution and the villagers to have his Eminence Archbishop as Cardinal Ferrao, to grace the occasion which doubled their joy.
The last six decades, yes! 60 years, is indeed a very long time which rendered support, strength and synergy to continue the mission and ministry was portrayed through a unique and symbolic presentation of six Pillars: 1962-1972 – Pilar of Vision, 1972-1982 – Pilar of Gratitude, 1982-1992 – Pilar of Solidarity, 1992-2002 – Pilar of Passion, 2002-2012 – Pilar of innovation, and 2012-2022 – Pilar of Hope with a short explanation.
It was indeed, Fr. Faustino De Souza, a great visionary, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Family of Nazareth, Sancoale-Goa, who had envisaged the need of imparting education in his own village – Anjuna, way back in 1962. His love for children and teaching was/is a perennial source of encouragement and light that keeps the sisters going with unparalleled zeal and commitment.
As the parish priest of Anjuna Fr. Santiago sfx, in his address beautifully said: Fr. Faustino’s vision has made people of this village great, they are shining in the world today because 60 years back this area being an isolated place, parents would come walking to reach their children to school and halt at a Cross 400mts away to see that they reached safely.
In his homily, his eminence Cardinal Ferrao, highlighted three points of how our service need to be keeping before us Mary the Mother of Jesus, who witnessed to her service of gratitude of humble service imitating her own Son Jesus.
Cardinal Ferrao, said: Mary’s service had certain characteristics: Her service is a humble service. For Mary rendered service with humility in an unassuming way, not expecting her name to be proclaimed on the top of the world. Secondly that Mary’s service is a joyful service. She served with joy. And that we are called to do the same and thirdly that Mary’s service is a caring, affectionate and loving service.
Archbishop Patriarch ended saying: If we want to witness to our gratitude, we are called to make our life, a gift of humble, joyful and caring service, and recommit ourselves to awoke radiant future. That all of us connected with the schools, need to continue to express our gratitude through our life of humble, joyful and caring service, serving with Joy as Jesus too proclaimed with care, love and affection.
After, the Eucharist, His eminence Cardinal Ferrao, was felicitated by the Superior General and team members, on behalf of the Sisters of the Congregation of Holy Family of Nazareth, with a Shawl after cutting the cake while the school presented a Portrait of St Michael painted by their Art teacher Mr Raj Fernandes. floral tributes were presented by the parish priests of Anjuna, Vagator, others and the deputy sarpanch of Anjuna.
In his address, Ferrao urged on the triple purpose of education to enable our young ones or with three types of essential learning: learning to know, learning to do and learning to be.
The Eucharist was presided by the newly elevated Cardinal Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and concelebrated by Frs. Santiago, Marcelino and 16 other priests. The event was witnessed by the villagers, benefactors, retired staff, alumni and well wishers. The school choir helped the gathering to participate in the Eucharist with their graceful singing.
The school band and children enthralled the gathering with a beautiful piece played on flute and the school band trained by their music teacher on the song Congratulations after cutting the cake by his eminence in the presence of the dignitaries. His eminence released the school magazine and then released the gas balloons.
To mark this day, the glass painting of the students was inaugurated by the Superior General Sr. Berna Rodrigues sfn. The event was well organised by the efficient, dedicated staff and school management.
The Superior General Sr. Berna Rodrigues, in her address gave the genesis of the school with the aim of providing education for there wasn’t any in the village since its inception on 3rd June 1962, acknowledging with gratitude God’s manifold blessings. Rodrigues expressed the joy at the elevation of his eminence Cardinal Ferrao, joining the college of bishop, and thanked his eminence for his guidance all through. She also placed on record the sacrifices and dedicated services of the staff who continue the legacy and charism our founder left behind – to make the master known to the needy, the migrants and marginalised and wished the Jubilarians imploring God’s abundant choicest blessings for a radiant future.
The headmistress Rev. Sr. Margaret Rodrigues, proposed the vote of thanks and thanked all the priest and his eminence Cardinal Ferrao for celebrating the thanksgiving Eucharist, and touching the core of our heart with his inspiring homily. She expressed her gratitude to each and everyone who made this day special.