Mangaluru, Feb 13: Lourdes Central School celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - the school's patroness on February 11.

The programme commenced with a beautiful prayer dance –‘Aarati Belagiri’ presented by the dance club dancers for the Patroness. The welcome address was delivered by the school's principal Fr Robert D’Souza. He welcomed the chief guest Fr Pius James D’Souza, Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza, manager LCS, Fr Stany Pinto, assistant parish priest, vice principal, Belita Mascarenhas, staff and students of LCS. He wished a Happy Feast of our Lady of Lourdes to one and all. He delivered the message of importance of the day. He also said that the church celebrates this day as the international day for the sick and the elderly. The principal was honoured and privileged to have Fr Pius James D’souza, director of Rishivana a religious center, as their chief guest because of his humility and spirituality.

The teaching and non teaching staff of Lourdes Central School who did not avail any CLs and who availed the least CLs for the year 2015 were honoured by the manager.

Carol Furtado of Class IX B delivered the message on the importance of the day. A beautiful tableau was presented on Patroness of our Lady of Lourdes by the Kindergarten section.

Lourdes Central School students collected Rs 4,16,000 towards 'Help age India' – for the senior citizens. Meenakshi from Helpage India presented a memento and certificate to the principal.

A token of appreciation was presented to the students who collected the highest amount individually and classwise.

Four outgoing students Reena Kishore, Rhea Kishore, Stallone D’Souza and Ian Jathanna were honoured for their dedicated service towards school assembly and choir.

The school choir presented a melodious song on Our Lady of Lourdes.

Chief guest Fr Pius D’Souza addressed the students and staff by saying that he was happy to be at Lourdes Central School because three years ago he had visited Lourdes in France and experienced the same feeling. He gave a message to the children that Lourdes is meant for goodness and healing. He told the children to do good deeds and avoid evil deeds. He congratulated the principal, staff and students for doing good for Helpage India. He also mentioned that students at Lourdes are educated because their good character. He also mentioned that in the form of healing, students can work miracles by healing others in society and their families. He also thanked the teachers of LCS for enlightening the students by giving them proper education.

The presidential address was delivered by the manager Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza. He wished all the staff members and students – Happy Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. He appreciated the principal for his dedicated mission. He congratulated the teachers for their untiring efforts to train children to be good and to avoid evil. He also advised the students – To be good, fit, fast and smart.

Paul Kiran Lobo of class IX C proposed the vote of thanks. The principal presented a memento to the chief guest Fr Pius James D’Souza. The programme was compered by Mehek Pinto of Class IX B .

A thanksgiving Eucharist was celebrated in the church.