Moodubelle: Grand opening of the golden jubilee celebrations of St. Lawrence High School

By Bellevision Team
Moodubelle, 28 December 2009: The long awaited Golden Day of the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle finally dawned on Monday, 28th December 2009. The celebrations began with the solemn thanks giving mass concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Wilson L.V. D’Souza, Secretary of the Catholic Board of Education as the chief celebrant. Three of the concelebrants-Fr. Valerian Castelino, Fr. Sunil D’Souza and Fr. Naresh Lobo were the past students of St. Lawrence High School.
Fr. Sunil D’Souza in his homily pointed out the good work done by the Christian community in building educational institutions, hospitals and asylums for carrying on the teachings of Jesus Christ. He said that St. Lawrence High School, during its fifty years existence has lighted the lamp of knowledge among thousands of students.
Following the thanksgiving mass, a grand procession was organised from the Church Aided Higher Primary School ground winding through the main road and church compound terminating in the quadrangle of St. Lawrence High School and PU College. The procession was led by the English Medium School Band, followed by school and PU College girl students dressed in colourful saris carrying the auspicious Poorna Kumbh Kalasha. Behind them were the Guide and Scout Students, followed by high school, then PU students, parishioners, villagers, teachers and guests.
In the High School-College quadrangle, following the prayer hymn beautifully and gracefully sung by the high school students, the chief guest of the function-Commodore Jerome Castelino hoisted the School Flag, thus inaugurating officially the three days Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Fr. Wilson L.V. D’Souza, Secretary of the Catholic Board of Education, inaugurated the expanded and renovated playground, followed by the unveiling of the P U College information board in front of the college building by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. 
The inaugural programme in the college hall was presided over by Fr. Wilson L.V. D’Souza. Other dignitaries present on the dais included the chief guest-Commodore Jerome Castelino, Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira-Principal of St. Lawrence Composite PU College, Mr. Henry Fernandes-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Devdas Hebbar-President of Old Students Association, Mrs. Meera Lobo-President of the Parent-Teachers Association, Mr. Hilda Aranha-Secretary of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee and the student leaders of the High School and the PU College.

Fr. Paul Sequeira welcomed the dignitaries on the dais and briefly introduced the chief guest, Commodore Jerome Castelino and Fr. Wilson.  The students of the High School and the PU College who had shown their proficiency in academics, co-curricular and sports activities were given prizes by Commodore Jerome Castelino and Fr. Wilson respectively.
In his address as the chief guest, Commodore Jerome Castelino congratulated the prize winning students and recalled with what difficulties the High School was founded and built by late Fr. Abundius D’Souza and the people of Moodubelle. He told the students and all those who were present that this is the occasion when we should remember all those people who had made sacrifices to have a High School in Moodubelle. He also recalled that though he did not have an opportunity to study in the High School, his marriage function was conducted in the premises of the newly built High School in 1960.
In his presidential message, Fr. Wilson greatly appreciated the High School students who rendered the prayer hymn in the morning assembly with devotion and discipline. He also had a word of praise to the teachers who trained these students and stressed the fact that the teachers should be the role models for the students. He lauded the progress made by St. Lawrence Educational Institutions in the Mangalore Diocese. He made an appeal to the students to avail the good facilities available in the institution and excel in academics and sports and become responsible citizens and good human beings. Fr. Wilson acknowledged the good work that is being done in the institutions by Fr. Joswey Fernandes as the Correspondent and Fr. Paul Sequeira as the Principal. He also wished good luck and success for the three days celebration of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Among the priests who attended the inaugural function of the Golden Jubilee were Fr. Denis Castelino, the student from the first batch of the High School who also has the distinction of being the top scorer in the SSLC, Fr. Valerian Castelino, retired as the Head Master of St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Chikmagalur, Fr. William and Fr. Naresh Lobo.
The inaugural function was anchored by Mrs. Snehalatha and Mrs. Hilda Aranha proposed the vote of thanks. Following the inaugural function, lunch was arranged for all the students, staff, guests and parents.