The fifth of January 2012 dawned bright and clear. The road to Sacred Heart High School was buzzing with furious activity. The day had finally dawned. It was the start of the Centenary Celebrations of Goa's second oldest English Medioum School, Sacred Heart High School. At 8.55 a. m. the brass band (led by Xavier de Moira popularly known as Packlo because of his swarthy complexion) played a drum roll and a fanfare and Mrs. Maria Ida D'Souza, the senior most Trustee cut the ribbon to mark the start of the Cenenary Celebrations.
Mrs. D'Souza, the widow of late Mr. Archibald D'Souza who is now 92 years old was led to the hall by an entourage which included her daughter Mavis de Sa, Ms Phyllis de Faria, daughter of Late Mr. Alphonsus Ligoury D'Souza one of the founding fathers of the School. The Eucharist was concelebrated with Fr. Dennis Fernandes from Parra, an Ex-Student and present Rector of Rachol Seminary as the main celebrant and concelebrants Fr. Clive (sdb) Fr. Edward, Fr. Ellridge (another ex-student), Fr. Wilfred (sdb) and Fr. Roque. The readings were read by ex-students and students and the gifts were offered by by ex-students and ex-teachers. During his homily, Fr. Dennis recalled the words of the days reading John 1:46 and explained the significance of the statement, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" So it must have been when the School was founded by late Mr. Walter D'Souza BA BT who set up the school in Verla Parra. A lot of people must have uttered the words, "Parra - Can anything good come out of Parra?" But Sacred Heart School was the good that came out of Parra. The school has endured for a hundred years. Many prominent persons have been ex-students of the school and the school proved to be a cradle for other schools in Bardez in Goa. The choir comprised of teachers and students from the school and the choir was accompanied by Rochelle Lobo on the guitar and Shannon on the keyboard. After mass, light refreshments were served to all present and there was a small cultural programme. The junior kids put up a prayer dance, the senior students put up a Konkani skit and a dance. Primary students put up a Konkani dance and the teachers expressed their tribute to the school in song. The draw for the donation coupons was held and this was followed by the unfurling of the school flag and releasing of a 100 gas filled balloons. Prominent among those who attended were:Chair Person of the School Trust Ms. Phyllis de Faria (Ex-MLA, Ex-Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council) Headmistress Marcelia D'Souza from Chorao, Mr. J. J. Saldanha (Instituto Saldanha) and Ms. Alice Saldanha, Mr Lenny Lopes and Ms. Judith Lopes with daughter and Judith's brother (All from Toronto Canada), ex-stuedents Philip Dias, Alex Alphonso, Eliza Oliveira, Joseph D'Souza, Avina Mashelkar, Anup Matada, Prudence Pacheco, Raymond Oliveira. Ex-teachers Jean Lobo (Headmistrss St. John of the Cross, Sanquelim), Ida Alvares, C. L. Bennalkar. Mavis de Sa, Former Heads, V. R. Shirodkar, Tony de Sa, Anand Desai and Walter D'Souza. A number of programmes throughout the year will mark the centenary celebrations. Some photos of the function are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157628731606943 -- ** "Tony de Sa" < tonydesa at gmail dot com > ** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
