CELEBRATE POPE FRANCIS!
-*Fr.Cedric PrakashSJ
On Sunday 23 March, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, for the first time since his hospitalization and before leaving the facility where he had beensince14 February. Duringthis period his he was very serious for many days. He greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the 'thumbs up' to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital. He is now backinhisresidenceatSantaMarta intheVatican.Forhisdeepfaith,his resilience and the strength ‘not to give up’, we celebrate Pope Francis!
For the day’s Angelus message, he wrote, “Inthislongperiodofmy hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord’spatience,whichIalsosee reflectedinthetirelesscareofthe doctorsandhealthcareworkers,as wellasinthecareandhopesofthe relatives of the sick. Thistrusting patience, anchored in God’s unfailinglove,isindeednecessaryin ourlives,especiallywhenfacingthe most difficult and painful situations…Iamsaddenedbythe resumption of heavy Israeli bombingontheGazaStrip,causing manydeathsandinjuries.Icallfor animmediatehalttotheweapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue,sothatallhostagesmay be released and a final ceasefire reached. In the Strip, the humanitariansituationisagainvery serious and requires urgent commitment from the conflicting
parties and the international community…Youarecontinuingto prayformewithgreatpatienceand perseverance:thankyouverymuch! Iprayforyoutoo.Andtogether,let usprayforanendtowarsandfor peace, especially in tormented Ukraine,Palestine,Israel,Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the DemocraticRepublicofCongo . ”For his sense of gratitude and feelings forthe victims of war, wecelebrate PopeFrancis!
A few days earlier, on 19 March 2025, Pope Francis completed full twelve years since his Papal inauguration. These twelve years have been a watershed moment in the history of the Church. Pope Francishasprovedtobetheperson the world desperately needs at this moment of history, with his allembracing, far-sighted vision and his unflagging mission to make this worldamorehumane,just,peaceful and loving place. He is truly a prophet for our times; for this, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
The day Pope Francis assumed office is also the day on which the Catholic Church celebrates as the
FeastofSt.Joseph,thePatronofthe Universal Church. For Pope Francis, the Feast was not a mere coincidence; it was a clear message totheChurchandtheworld,thathe wanted his Pontificate to be modelled on the person and message of St Joseph. His homily at the Inaugural Eucharist focused on St Joseph. He said,“IntheGospels, StJosephappearsasastrongand courageousman,aworkingman, yet in his heart we see great tenderness,whichisnotthevirtue oftheweak,butratherasignof strengthofspiritandacapacityfor concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love….We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness…that exercisingtheroleofprotectorasSt Joseph did, means doing so discreetly,humblyandsilently,but withanunfailingpresenceandutter fidelity,evenwhenhefindsithard tounderstand.TheGospelspresent StJosephasahusbandtoMary,at hersideingoodtimesandbad,and asafatherwhowatchedoverJesus, worriedaboutHimandtaughtHim atrade.StJosephrespondedtohis calledtobeaprotectorbybeing constantlyattentivetoGod,opento
thesignsofGod’spresenceand receptivetoGod’splans,andnot simply his own;” for this, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
In focusing on the qualities of St Joseph, in his first homily, Pope Francis left no doubt that, he would bedoinghisbesttoimbibesomeof these qualities personally. As one looks back at these past twelve years, the ‘Joseph’ in Francis has certainly defined his Papacy, in many ways. St. Joseph epitomizes ‘caringandprotecting’;he caresfor and protects Mary and Jesus throughout.Itwasnoteasytodoso but he undertookthe responsibility, which was entrusted to him with complete diligence. That is exactly what Pope Francis has been doing: caring and protecting one and all. Hereachesouttothelonelyandthe sick, the youth and the aged, the poor and the vulnerable, the excluded and the exploited, the migrants and the refugees, the prisoners and all the victims of an unjust world, in ways most extraordinary. His caring and protectingreachesouttothewhole of creation. He inspires and encourages others to do likewise.
For all of this, we celebrate Pope Francis!
On 13 March 2013 Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina was elected as SupremePontiff andtookthename of ‘Francis’. In his first speech as Popefromthe balconyofSt. Peter's Basilica, he said,“Youallknowthat thedutyoftheConclavewastogive abishoptoRome.Itseemsthatmy brotherCardinalshavecomealmost totheendsoftheEarthtogethim ...Andnowletusbeginthisjourney, theBishopandpeople,thisjourney of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches,ajourneyofbrotherhood inlove,ofmutualtrust.Letusalways prayforoneanother.Letusprayfor thewholeworldthattheremightbe agreatsenseofbrotherhood.My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, togetherwithhelpofmyCardinal Vicar, be fruitful for the evangelizationofthisbeautifulcity. AndnowIwouldliketogivethe blessing,butfirstIwanttoaskyou afavour.Beforethebishopblesses thepeople,Iaskthatyouwould praytotheLordtoblessme—the
prayer of the people for their Bishop.Letussaythisprayer—your prayerforme—insilence....Forhis reliance on the prayers of ordinary people,forhisgreathumility,forhis desire to journey with people, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
He took the name of ‘Francis’ …some wonderedwhy? No Pope in the history of the Church had taken that name before. Some said that since he was a Jesuit, he took that name to follow in the footsteps of two great Jesuit Saints- Francis Xavier and Francis Borgia. But no, not them! The day before his Papal inauguration,speakingtothemedia he said, “as as things got ‘dangerous’in the conclavevoting,Iwassittingnextto mygreatfriendBrazilianCardinal Claudio Hummes who comforted me.WhenIwaselected,Cardinal Hummeshuggedme,kissedmeand said,‘Don’tforgetthepoor’Itook toheartthewordsofmyfriendand chosetobecalledafterSt.Francisof Assisi,themanofpoverty,theman ofpeace,themanwholovesand protectscreation,thesamecreated world with which we don’t have such a good relationship. How I
wouldlikeachurchthatispoorand thatisforthepoor!”For being an authenticFranciscantothecore, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
In November 2013, in his first Apostolic Exhortation ‘EvangeliiGaudium’(the Joy of the Gospel) Pope Francis set the tone and temper of his Papacy bluntly stating, “IpreferaChurchwhichis bruised,hurtinganddirtybecauseit hasbeenoutonthestreets,rather thanaChurchwhichisunhealthy from being confined and from clingingtoitsownsecurity.Idonot want a Church concerned with beingatthecentreandthenends bybeingcaughtupinawebof obsessionsandprocedures.”…“The Gospeltellsusconstantlytorunthe riskofaface-to-faceencounterwith others,withtheirphysicalpresence whichchallengesus,withtheirpain andtheirpleas,withtheirjoywhich infects us in our close and continuousinteraction….TheSonof God,bybecomingflesh,summoned ustotherevolutionoftenderness.” Heremindsusofour prophetic role, “Peace in society cannot be understoodaspacificationorthe mereabsenceofviolenceresulting
fromthedominationofonepartof societyoverothers.Nordoestrue peaceactasapretextforjustifying asocialstructure,whichsilencesor appeasesthepoor,sothatthemore affluentcanplacidlysupporttheir lifestyle,whichothershavetomake doastheycan.Demandsinvolving thedistributionofwealth,concern for the poor and human rights cannot be suppressed under the guiseofcreatingaconsensuson paperoratransientpeacefora contentedminority.Thedignityof thehumanpersonandthecommon goodrankhigherthanthecomfort of those who refuse to renounce theirprivileges.Whenthesevalues are threatened, apropheticvoicemust be raised.” For his courage to walk the talk, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
On 4 October 2020, Pope Francis gave to the world his Encyclical on Fraternity and Social Friendship ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (Brothers and Sisters All). It is radical in nature; it highlights and challenges the core teaching of every major religion in the world. Pope Francis makes an urgent and passionate call for meaningful discipleship, of
authentic witness in our world of today! It is blueprint for concerted action which is addressed to “brothers and sisters all” and in his opening remarks he states “althoughIhavewrittenitfromthe Christianconvictionswhichinspire andsustainme,Ihavesoughtto makethisreflectionaninvitationto dialogueamongallpeopleofgood will"In sum and substance, it provides a clear direction to all women and men, irrespective of their religious/ideological beliefs, that if we are sincere about addressing the realities of today‘Fratelli Tutti’ is the path we must walk together. In his introductory remarks. Pope Francis sets the tone of the Encyclical saying, “In the preparationofLaudatoSi’,Ihada sourceofinspirationinmybrother Bartholomew, the Orthodox Patriarch,whohasspokenforcefully ofourneedtocareforcreation.In this case, I have felt particularly encouraged by the Grand Imam AhmadAl-Tayyeb,withwhomImet inAbuDhabi,wherewedeclared that “God has created all human beingsequalinrights,dutiesand dignity,andhascalledthemtolive together as brothers and
sisters”.This was no mere diplomaticgesture,butareflection born of dialogue and common commitment.ThepresentEncyclical takesupanddevelopssomeofthe great themes raised in the Document that we both signed” That 2019 ‘Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together’ is therefore fundamental and pivotal to the entire journey of fraternity and social friendship. For building bridges, we celebrate Pope Francis!
Refugees, migrants and displaced persons have been the heart of Pope Francis’ papacy and is central to his spirituality of reaching out to others. He stated that, “Refugees arenotnumbers,theyarepeople whohavefaces,names,stories,and needtobetreatedassuch."In2015, hismessageforthe101st WorldDay of Migrants and Refugees he said, “Solidarity with migrants and refugeesmustbeaccompaniedby thecourageandcreativitynecessary todevelop,onaworld-widelevel,a more just and equitable financial andeconomicorder,aswellasan increasing commitment to peace,
theindispensableconditionforall authenticprogress.Dearmigrants andrefugees!Youhaveaspecial placeintheheartoftheChurch,and youhelphertoenlargeherheart and to manifest her motherhood towardstheentirehumanfamily.Do notloseyourfaithandhope!Letus thinkoftheHolyFamilyduringthe flightinEgypt:Justasthematernal heartoftheBlessedVirginandthe kindheartofSaintJosephkeptalive the confidence that God would neverabandonthem,soinyoumay thesamehopeintheLordneverbe wanting. I entrust you to their protectionandIcordiallyimpartto allofyoumyApostolicBlessing.”
For his courage to accompany the ‘nowhere’ people for a more humane and dignified life, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
Thecareforourcommonhomehas also been a hallmark of Pope Francis’ papacy. Both in his Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and in his Apostolic Exhortation ‘Laudate Deum’ he has challenged the world to go beyond cosmetics and to address endemic and structural issues that destroy our environment. In ‘Laudato Si’ he
clearly states, “I wish to address every person living on this planet…InthisEncyclical,Iwould liketoenterintodialoguewithall peopleaboutourcommonhome… thissister(motherearth)nowcries outtousbecauseoftheharmwe have inflicted on her by our irresponsibleuseandabuseofthe goodswithwhichGodhasendowed her.Wehavecometoseeourselves asherlordsandmasters,entitledto plunder her at will. The violence presentinourhearts,woundedby sin, is also reflected in the symptomsofsicknessevidentinthe soil,inthewater,intheairandinall formsoflife”ThekeyquestionPope Francis poses to each one of is, “whatkindofworlddowewantto leavetothosewhocomeafterus,to childrenwhoarenowgrowingup?”
For being the environmentalist the world desperately needs, we celebrate PopeFrancis!
From washing the feet of Muslim women prisoners to entrusting womenin responsible positions and with authority in the Vatican and in Church structures; to saying“whoamIto judge?”inthe context of the LGBTQIA+
communitytotellingyouththeyare the hope of the future; from taking a stand against the culture of death be it the death penalty and every war to directly taking on the US arms and ammunition industry; from hittingout at clericalism inthe Church to emphasizing that pastors must smell of the sheep; from wanting synodality to become the face of the Church of today to desiring that every Christian is a pilgrim of hope and mercy, Pope Francis has enabled and ennobled every single dimension of being an authentic disciple of Christ in today’sworld.Forthisandmore,we celebrate PopeFrancis!
R
Recently, the prestigious ‘National Geographic’ portal released a fantastic45minutedocumentaryon PopeFrancis;titled‘RebelPope:Ten Years of Hope’ the video is breathtaking.Ithasforitsstatement‘Pope Francis’commitmenttospeakupon issuesofpoverty,migration,gender equality,andclimatechange,have made him a rebel with a noble cause.’That says it all! Therefore, wecelebrate PopeFrancis!
3 April2025
*(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliationand peace
KONKANI HERITAGE
activist/writer
Contact:cedricprakash@gmail.com)
Genealogist Dr. Lobo's Lone Struggle for Tomb Stones
April is a month the world celebrates HERITAGE. In the last Issue of VEEZ Weekly (393: Pages 86-106) readers have seen onemore facet of therenowned Genealogist, who sacrificedhis great achievementsoverseasto serve on home turf for the world Konkani community. Dr Michael Lobo has for decades been a Mangalore based respected and well-known scientist, writer and
genealogist of Catholic Community and Kanara culture, who needs no introduction. His sacrifice for the Konkani Community worldwide is supreme and as is the case with such personalities largely goes unsung in their lifetimes; this is so particularly with Mangalore folks; human nature is largely a mystery andriddle.Whatever,thisgreatman is now rarely seen and never honoured as is due. In this part of thestory,wewillseetheloneefforts torespectfullysaveatleastsomeof thegravestonesdestroyedfromthe
Milagres Church flooring and Dr. Lobo as a personal initiative has been curating the smashed tombstonesat his guest house facility at Bijey, the photographs give a fair idea of his grief and interest. At that point in time,
articles appeared focusing on damage control and avoiding any disturbance. Dr. MichealLobo’s perceptionfromthepointofviewof a historian and genealogist is perfectly valid. Church authorities could have given Dr. Michaela fair hearingandpartlymet hisrequests at least. And a cross section of the tomb stones removed could havebeen handed over to him. To make it worse a few months ago, regarding the restoration of the historic St. Monica Chapel that is attached to Milagres Church, again the vintage tombstoneswere destroyed and discarded without anyone noticing, least of all Dr. MichaelLobowhichisindeedsad.
The painful deaths of the author's two siblings and specially the suffering, illness and last days of Partick caused inexplicable trauma to Michael who for a while was understandably withdrawn until he recouped with his organising the formidable expose of "Old world vintage Wedding Photographs" at his place and organising medical camps in memory of Patrick ;taking the healing further the compiling and
printing of his book in September
2024. This work of affection and love would have released his mind to get back in shape. The book
cover depicts his two younger brothers who passed on, the contents and many pictures are of family generally which provide an insightintothecommunityassuch. A few pages on mathematical interests and Music/pop songs & Singers give the simple book a wholesomeshape.
There is always today a complaint that family and kindred spirit is gone and is being further eroded? This is visibly true perhaps. However, it can often be subtly seen as very much existing deep inside the human psyche and a flame that is somehow kept burning by the Supreme. The practicality of larger families living togetherinthespiritandmannerof timesgonebyissimplynotpossible and practicable given the normal essential demands of the modern andAIage. Siblingscareofparents is today a different matter altogetherandtheshapeisfarfrom what was and will be. Siblings and kinareisolatedandseparatedfrom each other not that the human sentiment and feelings have become hardened or diluted; but many real time factors and life's
cares and responsibilities are ruling and throwing up warped images. There is no doubt as far as practically visible that most who do well are ever ready to support and carefortheirkithandkininthebest way possible by providing for it in the Christian spirit of duty and generosity 'to give and not count the cost'.
Dr. Michael it can be practically observedinhisactionsandwritings, has always put community, culture andfamilyinahighplaceofpriority, value and respect in every possible measure.Thisfactclearlysurfacesin his work for historic CASK (Catholic Association of South Kanara) and even in the reshaping of the limp "Mangalore" magazine which gave it a shiny reputation and demand. His Book , 'Memories To Treasures"amplysumsuptheinner sentiments and feelings of dear Dr. Michael (now 71 yrs old) and the trueunderlyingspiritofmanyofthis
community of Konkani Catholics of Mangaloreandawidecrosssection of humanity - circumstances and vagaries of human life in today’s crime ridden and psychologically sick politics and commerce are paintingcruelwarpedpictures-the underlying compassionate caring human is always there and will be. Noteworthy is the loneliness faced now by Dr. Michael in the huge family mansion is not an easy matterandasuitablesolutionhasto materialize considering that Dr. Michael is now 71 with frail health and living with minimal care. Itisnodoubtthateverymemberof the community and others interestedtoomustbeawareofDr. MichealLobo'slifeandworkforthe largercommunityandreadsomeof his writings as well. He expressly invitesallconcernedtogetintouch with himand acquire some of the many useful books he has for sale, before stocks are exhausted, his manybooksareatrulyvaluable
On Thursday, April 3, 2025, IndianbornCatholicpriestFr.ArulCarasala was fatally shot at his parish rectory in Seneca, Kansas. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City announced the death on Facebook, calling it a "senseless act of violence." Carasala, ordained in 1994 and pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church since 2011, had served in Kansas since 2004. Witnesses reported that an elderly
manapproachedhimandshot him. The police have arrested Gary L. Hermesch,66, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on suspicion of first-degree murder. Carasala, a native of Kadapah, Andhra Pradesh, India, obtained US citizenship in 2011.
Archbishop Naumann stated there is no ongoing threat to the community and remembered Carasala as a devoted pastor who faithfully served the Archdiocese for over twenty years.
#catholic #priest #dead #NewsUpdate
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Justroll films- Bringing Stories to Life
From musicians and artists to tech innovators and entrepreneurs, Mangalore and the neighbouring towns have always been a thriving hubforforward-thinkingindividuals who push the boundaries of their craft.
One of them is JustRoll films which has been serving as a platform for musical talent across the region, cultivating itself into a haven for artists from all different genres. It hasbeeninstrumentalingivingour music industry a new dimension with their creativity and top notch visualproduction.
Justroll Films LLP, one of the top leading music label & production house in coastal Karnataka was incorporatedinSep2022, founded by Jostin D’Sa who have nurtured the idea from the beginning and helpeditevolveateverystageofits growth.
Jostin D’Sa, a very humble and down-to- earth person, has always remained very approachable and wellconnectedtohisrootsinUdupi,
despite attaining considerable success.
Justroll Films has been presenting number of music videos under its own banner currently in Kannada, Tulu, Konkani and Hindi languages. Their songs are mainly shot at the attractive places in Karnataka inspiring viewers to explore the destination firsthand. Their catalogue of fresh musical tracks is constantly growing, offering more for the audience to enjoy & embracethediverserangeoftracks.
Their alliances with top-tier digital music platforms like Jio Saavn, Hungama, gaana, Spotify, iTunes, amazon music, Instagram, Wynk music and others grant entry to 100+countriesanda vastaudience
of potential fans. The streaming platforms partnered by them facilitate widespread distribution of themusic.
Some of the popular songs under theirbannerare:
Byfosteringcreativityandelevating the culture of Tulunadu & Karnataka, the company not only contributing to the evolutionof the musicindustrybutalsoshapingthe careersofindividualartists.
JustRoll Films also owns the audio rights of the movies like VodthanthlenPhul(Konkanimovie), LoveuDia(Kannadamovie),Gabbar Singh(Tulumovie),Shakalala Boom Boom(Tulumovie)tonameafew.
The recent music video “Udupi Anthem” which also featuring the popular actor Pruthvi Amber of Dia fame along with many others, reachedover110Kviewswhichwas premieredintheirYouTubechannel.
The"UdupiAnthem"isacaptivating melody that beautifully encapsulates the essence of Udupi, highlighting its attractive scenery, coastal beauty, religious shrines, and cultural heritage, aiming to bring Udupi’s charm to a national andinternationalaudience.
The "Udupi Anthem" is a collaborative effort by the District Administration, Tourism Department, and Development Committee Udupi, in association withJustRollFilmsLLP.Itservesasa testament to their collective dedicationtopromotingUdupiasa premier destinationfortouristsand abeaconofculturalheritage.
Jostin D’Sa, currently holding the position of Director of JustRolls Films LLP, believes in creating engagingandimpactfulcontentfor the people. With a focus on storytelling and a great visual excellence, JustRoll Films LLP aims to bring stories to life and connect withaudiencesworldwide.
Our team in Veez wishing the continuedgrowthandprosperityof thecompany.Maytheirjourneybe filled with even greater achievements,andtheycontinueto be a pillar of innovation and opportunityforartistseverywhere. Pleasevisitthebelowlinktoexplore moreontheirYouTubechannel.
https://www.youtube.com/@JustRollFilms
UdupiAnthem:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B7WPxphOco NachBaile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsxNKXSYWHE NinnaNennapalle:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZkgV7K3rSk MadimeYennaNinna:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSVh0i1OBiA
Chile can serve as India's Gateway to South America: President
Gabriel Boric Font
Mumbai(RBI),Apl.03:Expressinghis amazement over his visit to India, the country he was always fascinated about, President of Chile Gabriel Boric Font has said that ChilecanserveasIndia'sgatewayto SouthAmericancountries.
Expressing satisfaction overhis meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India,
the 39-year-old President Gabriel Boric said apart from enhancing economic and commercial cooperationwithIndia,Chileiskeento learn from India's culture and increase its collaboration with agro industries.
Mentioning that the Hindi film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ had helped in promoting tourism in
Spain in a big way, the President called for collaboration in film makingbetweenIndiaandChile.
He said Chile has several exotic locations for shooting and that a joint venture will make tourist placesinChilepopularinIndia.
WelcomingtheChileanPresidentto Maharashtra, Governor Radhakrishnan said tourism and trade have the potential to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Heexpressedthehopethatwiththe opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport, direct connectivity will be established betweenIndiaandChile.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto Van Klaveren, Ambassador of Chile to India Juan Angulo, Minister of
Culture Carolina Arredondo and Adviser to the President for InternationalAffairsCarlosFigueroa werepresent.
Shining the Path to Freedom: Ivan Fernandes
Joins Eyes Open International in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Cincinnati, Ohio – April 1, 2025 –True leadership is not about power, but about empowering others. When visionaries come together, they spark change that transcends borders.Inaremarkablemomentof collaboration, renowned serial entrepreneur, mentor, and angel investor Ivan Fernandes visited the Eyes Open International (EOI) HeadquartersinCincinnati,Ohio,to meetwithco-foundersHaroldand
Fernandes, a trailblazer with over three decades of experience in business innovation, has played a pivotal role in banking, payment solutions, M-government solutions, EdTech, and mobility. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, he has mentored countless startups, serving as a Founding Charter Member and Past President of TiE
Rons Bantwal
DancyD’Souza.
Dubai. He also founded Kanara Entrepreneurs, which nurtures business leaders from the Kanara region, and has established entrepreneurial cells in top educational institutions, including St. Aloysius Institute of Management, Christ University, and St. Joseph’s Institute of Management. His visit to Eyes Open International highlights the power of collaboration in driving global impact.
A Celebration of Vision and Leadership
To honor Ivan and his wife, Renny Fernandes, Eyes Open International hostedanexclusivemeet-and-greet dinner attended by esteemed leaders, including Dr. Yvan Demosthenes, Larry Harte, and Sr.
Therese Del Genio, Board Directors of EOI, Deepak D’Souza, Managing Director, LCD Global from Mumbai along with EOI co-founders Harold andDancyD’Souza
This special gathering underscored the importance of building networks that drive social transformation. Eyes Open International, a global force in human rights advocacy, has been instrumental in empowering vulnerable populations and combatting human trafficking worldwide.
Sr.ThereseDelGenio:ABeaconof HealingofHope
Sr. Therese Del Genio has been a guiding light for The D’Souza Family, standing by them through their darkest struggles,from fear to the finish line of freedom. As a dedicated Board Director at Eyes Open International, she embodies compassion, resilience, and
unwaveringfaith.Withamiraculous abilitytohealtraumaandtransform pain into triumph, Sr. Therese Del Genioupliftssurvivorswithloveand strength.
True freedom is not just breaking chains – it is finding the courage to walkforwardwithhope.
Sr. Therese Del Genio’s presence in the movement against human traffickingisnothingshortofdivine grace.
A Powerful Visit to the
Underground Railroad Freedom Center
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Ivan and Renny Fernandes visited the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, a museum dedicatedtothelegacyoffreedom,
resilience, and human dignity. The visit was especially poignant as the couple explored the ‘Shine a Light’ exhibit, which features the harrowing yet inspiring journey of HaroldD’Souza—asurvivor-turnedadvocate who has become a global voice for victims of human trafficking.
The Freedom Center, standing as a beacon of courage and justice, tells the stories of those who fought against oppression, both in history and in modern times. Walking through its halls, Ivan and Renny Fernandes were deeply moved by the exhibits that highlight the ongoing struggle for freedom and theresilienceofthehumanspirit.
Among these stories, Harold D’Souza’s life stands as a testament to the power of survival and
transformation. Once a victim of labor trafficking, Harold refused to let his past define him. Instead, he turned his pain into purpose, his struggles into strength, and cofoundedEyesOpenInternationalto ensure that no one else suffers the same fate. His journey from a survivor to an advocate recognized on global platforms, including the White House and the United Nations,isa storythatcontinuesto inspiremillions.
GlobalEngagementforaGreater Cause
Fernandes’ visit to the U.S. was not only about leadership networking butalsoabouttakingpartinalarger movement. He flew from Dubai to attend the prestigious Liberator Awards2025inColumbusonMarch 29,2025,celebratingthechampions ofhumanrightsandjustice.Hisstay in Cincinnati from March 27th to March 31st, 2025, provided an opportunity for deeper engagement with Eyes Open International’smission.
guidance of its dynamic global team,including:
Dr. Lara Wilken, Board President brings with her leadership with wisdom, empathy, and action creating lasting change. With her unwavering belief that Survivors MustThrive,sheisaguidingforcein the fight against human trafficking, empowering voices that were once silencedtoleadthewayforward.
Tracy McGinley, Board Vice President, has deep expertise in nonprofits, bylaws and governance, sheisapowerhouseofchange.
•PrinceManvendraSinghGohiland Deepak Acharya, Board Directors basedinIndia
•RohanD’Souza,Treasurer,basedin NewYork
•Hriday Raval, Asia Pacific Director, based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat – a key leader supporting Harold D’Souzaininternationalinitiatives
•Viona Dixon, Regional Director India,basedinVadodara,Gujarat
•Nirmal Kumar Upreti, Regional DirectorNepal,basedinKathmandu
Eyes Open International continues to expand its impact under the
Their unwavering commitment ensures that Eyes Open International continues its mission to educate, prevent, and support
survivors of human trafficking acrosstheworld.
ALegacyofTransformation
Ivan Fernandes’ visit to Eyes Open International and the Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a testamenttothepowerofvisionary leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to social justice. His expertise in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation resonates deeply with EOI’s approach empowering survivors to rebuild their lives through education, awareness, and economicopportunities.
Harold D’Souza, a man of unbreakable spirit, has become an international symbol of hope and justice. Hislife’smissionis to call to action for communities, governments, and individuals worldwide to recognize the reality
of modern-day slavery and join the fightagainstit.
Hope in Action: A Call to Empowerment
The visit of Ivan and Renny Fernandes is a reminder that true change begins with a single step, a bold vision, and a heart that dares to make a difference. The Underground Railroad Freedom Center, much like Eyes Open International, serves as a powerful reminder that while oppression still exists, so does the unyielding force ofthosewhofightforjustice.
As we move forward, let this moment serve as an inspiration for businesses, communities, and individuals to act because when greatmindsuniteforanoblecause, the ripple effect can change the world. Freedom is not just a privilege; it is a right that every humanbeingdeserves.
“HAIR DONATION DRIVE”: A Heartwarming Success!
A successful Hair Donation Drive was jointly organized by the Commission for Women, Mother Mary Sthree Sangatan of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Neermarga, Mercy Beauty Academy & Ladies Salon,andFlyHighCharitableTrust. The event took place on March 30, 2025,attheChurchHall.
This inclusive drive was open to all, transcending boundaries of caste, creed, and religion. Donors from
diversebackgroundscametogether, united in their generosity and kindness,tosupportanoblecause.
The event began with a soulful prayer song by the members of Mother Mary Sthree Sangatan, invoking God's blessings. The Hair Donation Drive aimed to support a noble cause, collecting hair donationsfromwillingparticipants
to create wigs for cancer patients,
bringing hope and dignity to their lives.
The dignitaries present on the dais included: -Rev.Fr.PaulPinto,ParishPriest
- Mr. Sandeep Misquith, Vice
President, Neermarga Parish PastoralCouncil
-Mrs.ReshmaPereira,Secretary, MotherMarySthreeSanghatan NeermargaUnit.
Rev.Fr.PaulPinto,ParishPriestofSt. Joseph the Worker Church, Neermarga, graciously presided over the event. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the generous donors, skilled hairdressers, and dedicated Sanghatanmembers.Inhisinspiring
address, Fr. Pinto emphasized, "Donating our hair or human body organsnotonlytransformsthelives ofothersbutalsogivesourownlife a profound sense of purpose and meaning."
Mrs. Usha Fernandes conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to all individuals who contributed to the overwhelmingsuccessof the event. She emphasized the profound
impact of this selfless act, stating
that it will bring immense joy and confidence to the lives of cancer patients, transforming their journey withhopeandresilience.
Appreciation to the skilled hairdressers from Mercy Beauty Academy and Ladies Salon for their
FounderofFlyHighCharitableTrust, members of Mother Mary Sthree Sanghatan, and parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Neermarga, who all played a vital role in making the event a resoundingsuccess.
The Backdrop of the event was arranged by M/s. Maria Arrangers. Anusha Reema D’Souza extended a warm welcome to all, while Savitha Pereiracomperedtheprogram.
Wearethrilledtoannouncethatour hair donation drive saw an overwhelming response, with 80 participantsrangingfrom7to70
yearsold!
As a token of gratitude, all hair donors were honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation, paired with a delightful Bonda Milk Shake, in recognition of their selfless contribution. Daisy Crasta lent a helping hand by meticulously writing the donors names on the Certificates.
The event highlighted the value of giving back to the community, demonstrating that even small acts of kindness can profoundly impact the lives of others. SHARING IS CARING.
I'm Sorry
I'm sorry I'm not perfect
I'm sorry for the things I do
That upsets or embarrasses you
Please remember this
My fault is in loving you
That I forget that you're not mine Just a way into this life
I'm sorry I'm not perfect
I'm sorry you thought I was But life doesn't play it by the book
Please remember your faults
Many I tolerate as well
Though always mindful of your feelings
I'm still sorry for failing you I'm sorry about what I lack Hopefully it will make you better than I am
- By: Molly Pinto.
"Holy Angels" walls to breathe their last soon....?
This well-known and ancient convent of the "Sisters of Charity" Belvedere is situated in Maroli villageofMangalorecity.Itisasemi urbanareawheresocialevilssuchas poverty, alcoholism, consumerism, communal disharmony, gender discrimination and the negative influence of the media are
prevalent. The sisters cater to the pastoral activities, reaching out to the poor and needy and rendering theirservicestotheyouth. Inrecent days speculation on the demolition of this historic relic has shaken the Catholics and historians generally and created an outcry to save this relicofabuilding. ForVEEZ Weekly
readers we bring here a comprehensive account; reproducedisthemainbodywritten by a well-known journalist, which also represents his personal emotions which are akin to many knowledgeable folks connected closelywith thisinstitution. Pictures are also available to give the matter a lucid understanding. Please see and ponder about it all in time to come.
Holy Angels Convent
(Interprovincial
Novitiate) -
Belvedere: May 1936 the Novitiate from Jeppu was shifted to Belvedere to a quieter place for the sake of better formation of the novices. The sisters working in the novitiate were also the members of theBelvederecommunityunderthe same superior. On 21st July 1986, foramoreeffectiveformationofthe novices, the novitiate was formed into a separate community, the novice mistress also being the superior of the novitiate community. On the 10th of November 1988, the ‘Come and See’ programme for the candidates (period of Orientation) was started at Rosa Hill. The Candidates’ House
was entrusted to the novitiate community. On 15th August 2009 the novitiate was constituted as an ‘Interprovincial House’ for the provinces of Mangalore and Dharwad and the community became interprovincial with the insertion of a member from the province of Dharwad. Hence the Interprovincial Novitiate Community consists of four members directly involved in the formation of the novices and candidates of the orientation period. On Quote....
*Dr RonaldFernandes*
The other day a friend dropped a bombshell the Holy Angels convent will be gone soon. For a moment I couldn’t figure out what he meant. Then came his blunt clarification: it is going to be demolished. I was speechless and my response was one of complete disbelief. So, the convent, what is now the provincialate of the Sisters of Charity will soon be surrounded by bulldozers and cranes. The beastlymetalbladeswillbringdown one of the architectural beauties in Mangalore.
The 90-year-old Holy Angels structure, tucked away from the humdrum of the city traffic, stood quietly and gracefully all these years. In a matter of a few days or weeksitsmajestywillbe reducedto rubble passing into history. Since my childhood I have always been fascinated by its ambience that no blueprint could capture. The spell cast by the tiled roofs, aesthetically painted walls, the cloistered corridors where shadows fell like mesmeric patterns and the chapel, inspiring divinity, can never be effacedfrom my memory.
In the last 50 years I would have madeover50visitstotheplaceand duringeveryvisitIfoundsomething captivating about the structure, the walls, the ambience, the atmosphere, the location and the nuns moving about with a purpose. Itishardtobelievethatthemajestic structure built in Roman style in 1936willbeathingofthepastsoon.
My grandfather’s sister (Sr Geocomina Lobo) lived there for over 25 years before she breathed her last in 2010, after serving as a nun for 60 plus years.
Mymother’syoungersister(SrMary Lobo) celebrated her golden jubilee in the very same building last year. My mother’s colleagues in the 1960s at Kumbla school (Sr James, Sr Elizabeth and Sr Ida, among others) continue to live in the neighbourhood(Casa Gaiaconvent, located next to Holy Angels convent)…Theyareintheirlate80s and90s now.
Reason fordemolition:
According to Sr Aileen Mathias, the spokesperson of Sisters of Charity, the 90-year-old building is in
dilapidated condition and is posing a risk to the inmates. On the other hand, they need a place to accommodate agednuns.
“Thoughwerequestedtheengineer to retain whatever possible in the old structure, especially the beautiful chapel, they said that it is very difficult to retain any portion, as when you try to break a wall, another wall gets damaged,” she said and added that the structure constructed with limestone, clay and jaggery emanates a dust which is harmful to inmates.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Sri Mullai Muhilan, when contacted, said that a few nuns had approached him in this regard, and he offered to send an engineer and an architect to study the building and make suggestions. “It is up to them (nuns) to decide after the expertsgivetheiropinion,”hesaid.
One thing is for sure: No architect can recreate such a building with whatever modern technology available to this day. And most importantly,the buildingisnotonly a structure - but a memorial to
hundreds of nuns/ novices/ and other residents who have spent couple of decades in this building by sacrificing their worldly life for the love of the less privileged and childrenof lesser gods.
Here are a few suggestions I wouldliketomake:
1. As it would cost a huge amount even to demolish the structure, would it be possible to leave the structure as it is, and construct / build another building next to it (so that you save on the money to be spent on the demolition and retain the Roman style building on the lines of Carmelite Monastry at Carmel Hill. (They have constructed a new building for the aged priests, next to the age-old structure and a chapel.)
2. Convert the building into a museum to showcase the glorious past of Sisters of Charity - their service and contribution to the coastal town (on the lines of Fr
Muller Museum or Mgr. R F C Mascarenhas museum at Bendur)
3. Convene a meeting of concerned intellectuals / architects to decide on the future of the beautiful structure.
4. Rent the building to anyone interested on condition that the structureshouldnotbedamagedat any cost.
5. Renovate the structure on the lines of St Aloysius chapel with the help of Archaeological Society of India or INTACH (The Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage).
6. Convert the building as an art gallerytodepictthegloriouspastof Christian contributionto society.
7.Convertthebuildingintoalibrary or a meditation center or retreat center and rent it out - even for workshops / seminars and conferences.
8. If nothing comes to mind, please give sometime so that some idea willemerge,orGodmayshowsome way.Asthey say, where there is a
will, there isa way. Ifyou decidethatthe building must be demolished, then no effort by anyone would suffice. I would like to express a final thought on the vanishing structure as something in me aches: I see the world outside the Holy Angels convent these days has changed palpably.Itislouder,fastpacedand more cynicalin starkcontrasttothe interiors of the convent housing women who chose to live in seclusion dedicating their lives to religious service, engaging in prayer, charitable work, and other formsof service. End Of Quote....
From the above our VEEZ Weekly readers prevailed to have a birdseye view of the matter and form a fairideaandunderstanding. Happy reading.
- VEEZ NEWSNET.
All-Banks’ Christian Employees
Association
(ABCEA)
Inaugurates its Silver Jubilee Year
The All-Banks’ Christian Employees Association (ABCEA) Entering 25th
by -Marcel M. DSouza (Machcha, Milaar)
FounderChairman ABCEA
It all began as a small movement in 1998 when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a directive requiring bank employees to work on Easter Sunday due to the annual closing of bank accounts. Upon hearing this news, I reached out to five friends—late D. J. Patrao (MCC Bank), Mr. Francis R. Pais (SBI), late Edy Ferrao (SIB), and Mr. Oswald Valento (Corporation Bank) to meet and discuss the issue.
The All-Banks’ Christian Employees Association (ABCEA) has completed 24 years of its existence and is now steppinginto its Silver Jubilee Year.
Tobeginwith,wedecidedtolaunch asignaturecampaigntoprotestthe RBI directive, which affected public, private, and cooperative banks across Karnataka. Christian employees working in various bank branches in the city wholeheartedly supported the cause. We sent
telegrams to the RBI opposing the directive and contacted representatives of the Government of Karnataka to intervene. As a result of our collective efforts, the RBIrescindedthedirective,ensuring thatEasterSundayremaineda nonworking day for Christian employees.
Oswald Valento Francis R. Pais
In 2001, we organized a Millennium Meet to discuss this matter further. With the support of two more stalwarts, Mr. Alwyn Fernandes (Canara Bank) and late Vincent L. Dsouza (Syndicate Bank),as wellas
This experience made us realize the importance of staying united and prepared to address such issues in the future.
Formation of ABCEA
ON 15.03.2025, WE HONOURED 95 YEARS OLD FR. WILLIAM GONSALVES WHOBLESSEDUSIN2001.
the blessings of Rev. Fr. William Gonsalves, we laid the foundation for forming an Association. Finally, on August 22, 2001, the All-Banks’ Christian Employees Association (ABCEA) was officiallyestablished.
Key Milestones andAchievements
In 2004, the Government of Karnataka removed Good Friday as a public holiday for bank employees. We strongly protested this decision, gaining substantial
Marcel Dsouza Alwyn Fernandes
support from the media. As a result, the government reinstated Good Friday as a public holiday, marking another major victoryforABCEA.
madethismovementasuccessover the years.
Beyond advocating for our rights, our association was also motivated bypubliccriticismatthetime,which suggested that bank employees, despite their comfortable salaries, were not actively contributing to society. This criticism challenged us to make a difference, and today, we are proud to say that ABCEA has positively impacted our community through numerous initiatives.
Over the past 24 years, our commitment to helping the weaker sectionsofsocietyhasbeenevident through our various activities.
Gratitude and Future Outlook
I am deeply grateful to all ABCEA members whose dedication has
A special note of thanks to Mr. Ronald Colaco, our main donor, for sponsoring a special fund that provides scholarships to students pursuing education after SSLC and for contributing financially to our newly launched Tragic Death Relief Fund. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our other donors, sponsors, and well-wishers who have joined hands with us in this mission. Your support enables us to give back to society and make the world a better place for the less fortunate.
As we enter our Silver Jubilee Year, we remain committed to our cause and look forward to continuing our work with the same passion and dedication.
Easter Date
In2024 Easter wason31st March.
In2025 Easter is on20thApril.
In2026 Easter willbe on 5th April.
DoyouknowhowthedateofEaster is fixed? Once the Easter date is fixed then the date of Ash Wednesday, Feast of Ascension of Jesus Christ, the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, thefeastoftheMostHolyBodyand Bloodof Christ(Corpus Christi),and the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus are fixed by the Catholic Church. If you read the following noteyouwillcometoknowhowthe date of Easter is fixed by the Catholic Church.
Easter'sdateiscalculatedasthefirst Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox (March 21st), using a mathematical method called "computus paschalis".
Here'sa more detailed explanation:
The Spring Equinox:
The spring equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, is used as a starting point.
The Paschal Full Moon: Easter is celebrated on the first Sundayfollowingthefullmoonthat occurs on or after the spring equinox.
The "Computus Paschalis":
Thisisamathematicalmethodused to determine the date of Easter, consideringthelunarcyclesandthe springequinox.
Fixed Date for Equinox:
While the actual date of the spring equinoxcanvaryslightly,thechurch uses a fixed date of March 21st for calculations, known as the "ecclesiastical equinox". Easternand Western Churches: The Eastern and Western Christian churches use slightly different calendars and methods for calculating Easter, which can
sometimes lead to different dates forEaster celebrations.
Gregorian vs. JulianCalendar: Western churches generally use the Gregorian calendar, while some Eastern churches still use the older Julian calendar, which can cause a difference in the date of Easter.
Easter Range:
Easter always falls between March 22nd and April 25th in the Gregorian calendar.
The earliest date for Easter is 22nd March. In 1818 Easter was on 22nd March. The next date will be 22nd March 2285, it will be Easter.
ThelastdateforEasteris25thApril. In2038 Easterwillbe on25thApril.
WORLD HEALTH DAY AND HOMOEOPATHIC
SAPTHAHA BEING
OBSERVED AT FMHMCH
In view of World Health Day and
Homoeopathy Sapthaha there, will be an inaugural programme conductedon7thApril2025withDr Mohammed Iqbal, District AYUSH Officer being the Chief guest and Rev Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Designate Director, FMCI and
Administrator of Father Muller
HomoeopathicMedicalCollegeand Hospital (FMHMCH) will be presiding.
World Homoeopathic Sapthaha being observed from 07.04.2025 to 12.04.2025 will be offering numerous concessions for the benefactorsof FMHMCH like:
1. New Registration and follow up10% discount
2. Homoeopathic medicines- 50% discount
3. Blood test (CBC, RBC, ESR) - 50% discount
4.Urineexamination-50%discount
On April 10th, 2025, commemorating 270th Birth anniversaryofDrChristianFrederick Samuel Hahnemann, floral homage will be paid by the staffs and studentsof FMHMC
Udupi, Mar 28: Sarita, a dedicated student at CSI Lombard Memorial School of Nursing (Mission Hospital) has secured the first rank in the state in the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) exams conducted by the Karnataka State Diploma in Nursing Examination Board (KSDNEB), Bengaluru. This is a historic achievementfortheinstitution,asit marks the first time a student from Lombard School of Nursing has earneda rank in its42nd batch. The GNM exams were conducted in December 2024, with the results for the batch of 2021-2024 being announced in March 2025. Sarita’s
success has brought immense pride not only to the institution but also tothe entire management.
Sarita,completedherBCom,moved to the Gulf for eight years before returning to her hometown to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.Withtheunwaveringsupport ofherfamily,includingherhusband and two children, Sarita completed herGNMandemergedasthetopin the state.
Sarita expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the principal and faculty of Lombard School of Nursing for their guidance and support in helping her achieve this remarkable feat. Sarita acknowledged that their encouragement and mentorship were instrumentalin her success.
Dr Sushil Jathanna, director of LombardMemorialHospital,shared his thoughts on Sarita’s success, stating,“Thehospitalisproudofthe achievements of its students. Sarita isadedicatedandcommittednurse, and I am confident she will achieve greatthingsinherfuturecareer.On behalf of the hospital, I would also like to thank the faculties of the schools and colleges of Nursing who have worked tirelessly for their
students. We are indeed proud of thefacultiesofboththecollegeand school of nursing for producing suchoutstandingstudents.”
About Lombard Memorial Hospital
Lombard Memorial Hospital, established in 1923, continues to providehigh-qualitymedicalcareto
the people of coastal Karnataka through its various departments, which span over 150 beds. The hospital is proud of its longstandingcommitmenttoexcellence, notonlyinhealthcarebutalsointhe education and training of future healthcare professionals at Lombard Memorial School of Nursing.
Graduation Ceremony ofAthena Institute of
Health Sciences - March 2025
The atmosphere was one of excitement and pride as Athena School of Nursing, Athena College of Nursing and Athena Institute of Allied Health Science, came together to celebrate their graduation ceremony on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 4: 00 p.m at the prestigious Town Hall. The event wasgracedbyesteemedguestsand dignitaries, including Dr. Shiv Sharan, Member of Dental Council of India, Senate Member of Rajiv
GandhiUniversityofHealthScience, Bengaluru as a Chief Guest; Dr. Leena K C Dean and Principal, of Yenepoya Nursing College, Mangalore as a Guest of Honour; Mr, R. S Shettian Chairman, Athena Institute of Health Sciences, Mrs. Asha Shettian Secretary, Athena Institute of Health Science, Dr. Ashith Shettian Trustee, Athena Institute of Health Science, Dr. Nishitha Shettian Fernandez, Trustee,AthenaInstituteofHealth
Science, Prof. Sr Deepa Peter Principal, Athena Institute of Health Science, Dr. Nandini M Athena Institute of Allied Health Science, Prof, Sunitha Lobo Vice Principal who presided over the ceremony and were offered a traditional Indian style with “Poornakumba Swagathamasasignofrespectand followed by the prayer song performed by the B. Sc nursing students.
The procession, led by the graduands, followed by the faculty and dignitaries, set a solemn and
celebratory tone for the evening. The Dignitaries on the dais lighted the Indian Lamp and officially inauguratedtheProgram.
AthenaInstituteisproudtohostthe 19th batchofGNM(N),17th batchof B.Sc (N), 13th batch of P.B.B.Sc (N), 7th batchofAlliedRDT,2nd batchof MIT,MLT,ETCT,andAnesthesiaand OT.
Prof.SunithaLobo,VicePrincipal,of Athena Institute of Health Sciences welcomed the gathered and introduced the Chief Guest and GuestofHonor.Prof.Sr.Deepa
Peter Principal, Athena College of Nursing presented the annual report of the school of nursing and collegeofnursingandadministered the oath to nurses followed by Dr. NandiniMPrincipalofAlliedHealth Sciencespresentedashortreportof the allied college and administered the oath to Allied Health Sciences graduates.
The Chief Guest Dr. Shiv Sharan on the occasion congratulated the graduates and said that nurses are important in health care system, patient care is first, convert the
knowledge into wisdom, uncertaintytocertaintyandyouwill beaperfectnurse,anoblenurse.
The Guest of Honor, Dr. Leena K C ontheoccasionstressedthatbeing in this profession is a honor and encouragethestudentstoembrace the challenges and you will have successinyourlife.
The presidential address by Mr. R S Shettian, he congratulated the graduates and wished them good luck and success. He encouraged thestudentstonevercompromise
quality of care and be the ambassadors.
The List of the graduates was read outbyrespectiveclasscoordinators,
andthecertificateswerehandedby theGuests.
Mrs. Priyanka Dsouza, Mrs. Honey GundamiandMs.Kavanapresented the list of awardees, sports and cultural championship and presentedthetokenofappreciation for first college band from B.Sc
graduands.
Onbehalfofallgraduates,SrDeena Almedafromthecollegeofnursing and Ms. Trishali from allied college voicedthenostalgicfeelingsoftheir days in the college and expressed how the teachers have moulded themfortheirbettergrowth.
The Best Outgoing students of the year 2020 – 2024 in B.Sc (N) was awardedtoMs.AngelaTomy,GNM (N) was awarded to Ms. Ashwathi Rajesh, P.B.B.Sc (N) was awarded to Ms. Preethi and In allied was awardedtoMs.TrishaliinMLTDept. As it highlights their exceptional performanceand commitment to excellence.
Prof. Hemalatha G, HOD of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department proposed a vote of thanks. Mrs. Sharon and Ms. Rebeeca compered the graduation ceremony.TheInstitutionalAnthem wasplayedasarecession.
InclosingtheGraduationCeremony 2025 at Athena Institute of Health Sciences was a celebration of achievements, a testament to the
commitment to excellence, and a reminder of the noble mission to serve with compassion and dedication. After the recession of the graduates’ cultural events were organizedforthegathering.Around
1000 people, consisting of graduates, parents, alumni, guests, staff and students, witnessed the solemn celebration. Graduation dinner was served for all after the program.
Authors:InsightsintoColonialGoa(5th
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Blessings of the Renovated Chapel at Queen of Apostles Convent at Vamanjoor: A Sacred Celebration of Renewal and Grace
March 29, 2025, wasa moment of profoundspiritualjoyforMissionary
SistersoftheQueenoftheApostles (SRA) and gratitude filled the air as the newly renovated chapel at Queen of Apostles Convent at Vamanjoor was solemnly blessed and inaugurated in a sacred
Eucharistic celebration. This milestone event marked a renewal of faithand grace.
The celebration commenced with a warm welcome, echoing the words
of Genesis 28:17, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." The chapel, which hasstoodasabeaconofprayerand graceforgenerations,hasnowbeen beautifully restored, continuing to serve as a sanctuary of divine encounter.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by His Excellency, Most Reverend Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore whose presence brought immense blessings to the occasion. In his
homily, the Bishop emphasized the significance of renewal not only in the physical structure of the chapel but also inthe hearts of the faithful.
Rev. Fr. James D’Souza, the Parish Priest, along with other concelebrants, sisters, novices, and invited guests, graced the occasion with their prayerful participation.
Theeventwasajoyfulexpressionof unity, faith, and gratitude, as many recalled the countless moments of grace experienced within these sacred walls. This sacred occasion was not merely a structural
restoration but a profound reminder of the continuous call to spiritual renewal, inviting all to journey as pilgrims of hope and build God's Kingdom in humility and love.
SrLeenaValookaranSRA,Provincial Superior proposed a vote of thanks and expressed her gratitude to all who contributed for the renovation of the Chapel.
Mangaluru.
Theprogrammecommencedwitha splendid procession of graduates accompanied by the band and salutationwiththeguardofhonour
attheentranceoftheFatherMuller Convention Centre, Kankanady. The President of the programme Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and President of Father Muller
Charitable Institutions, The Chief Guest, Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, ViceChancellor,StAloysiusDeemed tobeUniversity,GuestofHonourDr Subhas Singh, Former Director of NIH, Kolkata, Rev. Fr Richard A. Coelho, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Designate Director, FMCI & Administrator, FMHMC&H, Rev. Fr Ashwin Crasta, Asst. Administrator Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Dr E.S.J. Prabhu Kiran, Principal Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College, Vice Principal Dr Vilma Meera D’Souza,MedicalSuperintendentof Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College Hospital Dr Girish Navada U.K., Convenor of Graduation Ceremony 2025 Dr Reshel Noronha, were offered a solemn welcome with traditional Poornakumbha.
The formal programme began by invoking the blessings of the almighty through a prayer song by the students of Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College.
Inhiswelcomespeech,Director,Rev Fr Richard Aloysious Coelho renkindled the memories of inception of Homoeopathy college atthecentenarycelebrationofFMCI symbolising service for humankind which the science of Homoeopathy stands for and also introduced and welcomed the Chief Guest and GuestofHonourfortheday.
Dr ESJ Prabhu Kiran, Principal, FMHMC then presented a descriptive Annual report of the activities of Father Muller HomoeopathicMedicalCollegeand Hospital for the academic year 2024-25.
Graduands were honoured and certificates were conferred by the Chief Guest, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis and Guest of Honour Dr Subhas Singh, which was followed by the administration of the oath led by Principal,DrESJPrabhuKiran.
Guest of honour, Dr Subhas Singh, in his message reminded the graduating batch about the legacy
they carry being ambassadors of Father Muller and Master Hahnemannandtheresponsibilities of a Homoeopathic physician payingrespectandtributetoallthe homoeopathsof the past who have beenservingthesociety.
Chief Guest Rev Dr Praveen Martis, in the graduation address congratulated the institution in crossingtheimportantmilestoneof 40years of inception in Dakshina Kannada and being the ambassadors of Father Muller’s vision and future of homoeopathy recalledfewprinciplesoflifeforthe budding physicians- Never stop learning,servewithcompassionand BeResilient. Onbehalfofthegraduates,DrAsha Dsouza expressed her gratitude to the Institutions.
Total of 89 BHMS students graduated on this occasion and 27 Postgraduates were awarded with theirMD(Hom)degree.
President of FMCI honoured 6 UG rank holders declared by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka for the Overall BHMS examinations conducted from September 2019 to July 2023 and 11 PG rank holders for the Overall MD(Hom) examinations conducted from October 2022 & March 2024.
‘Dr Sumod Jacob Solomon Award’ sponsored by 6th Batch of Mullerians for the Best Outgoing Postgraduatestudentof2021batch wasawardedtoDrShreyankKotian.
FatherMullerCharitableInstitutions
President’s Gold Medal for the Best Outgoing Undergraduate student
B.H.M.S.2019Batchwasawardedto Dr Muthu Valliammai Nachiappan.
Award of Excellence for Undergraduates award was bagged Dr A K Devika and for post graduates for bagged by Dr V R KrishnaKumarBhatt.
Bishop of Mangalore Diocese &
Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ the Chief Guest and Dr Subhas Singh, the
GuestofHonouroftheprogramme were honoured by the President of FMCI, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha
Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and PresidentofFMCIinhispresidential address congratulated all the graduates and prize winners of the day and recalled the journey of learning homoeopathy and healing holistically with Homoeopathic principles and also acknowledged the technological advances and to keep learning and to uphold the power of human touch and compassion in serving the humanity.
Rev Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, FMCI then honoured the President of the programme, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop
ofMangaloreDioceseandPresident ofFMCIwiththetokenofgratitude.
Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Designate Director, FMCI & Administrator, FMHMC&H proposed the vote of thanks. The Graduation Ceremony concluded with institution anthem and recession of the graduates and dignitaries. Dr Skandhan S Kumar and Dr Adlin R Gonsalves compeered the graduation ceremony
A Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was offered by Rev. Fr Richard A. Coelho, Director, Father MullerCharitableInstitutionsatOur LadyofLourdesChapel,Deralakatte at 6.30a.m. on the same day which was attended by Graduates, their parentsandstaff.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Vinod Gangolli, Director Divyavani live Channel who succumbed to a cardiac arrest early thismorning,April 7th.
