“Adopt Holistic Approach to Bring Up Children” – Fr. Clifford Fernandes

Media Release

Mangalore, 24 September 2010: “Adopt holistic approach to bring up your children…” urged Fr. Clifford Fernandes , professor of St. Joseph Seminary, Jeppu , Mangalore while addressing the Catholic parents of St. Mary’s English Medium Higher Primary School, Falnir near Mangalore on Monday 20th September 2010.

 

Speaking further, Fr. Clifford said that children should have physical fitness activities such as playing outdoor games, exercise and even playing in the mud. They should be encouraged to develop intellectual fitness like general knowledge, spiritual fitness like prayer and interpersonal fitness like dialogue with neighbours. He pointed out that these are the four important pillars of the Holistic Approach. He also emphasized that along with these four fitnesses, children should be taught values like honesty, respecting elders, being responsible, compassionate, patient, forgiving and generous. He also said that while parents give birth to children, teachers give education and it is God who gives life and wisdom to the children. Fr. Clifford also gave a number of examples from the literary works of great Konkani novelist late A. T. Lobo and Kalil Gibran to elaborate his speech further.

 

 

Sr. Sylvian, Head Mistress of the School welcomed the gathering and introduced Fr. Clifford Fernandes to the parents and Younis Britto, President of Apostolic Carmelite Association proposed the vote of thanks. The meeting ended with a brief adoration to the Holy Sacrament.