By Sr Molly Fernandes

Sancole, Feb 27: The Holy Family of Nazareth Educational Society (HFNES), belonging to the Congregation of Holy Family of Nazareth (SFN), Sancoale, Goa – India, walked an extra mile through their bi-annual event of felicitation, to bring smiles on the faces of many who took away soulful memories.

On February 25, the refreshing mornings enthused the HFNES Sancoale - Goa, to infuse new life in their 24 retired staff members through a felicitation program, in gratitude for the yeomen services rendered to the HFNES and the students through its renowned institutions namely St Joseph Vaz High School (SJVHS) - Sancoale, St Michael’s Convent High School (SMCHS) - Anjuna, St Theresa Convent High School (STCHS) - St Estevam, Perpetual Succour Convent High School (PSCHS) - Navelim, St Joseph’s Convent High School (SJCHS), Nagoa-Verna, and Kiran Niketan Primary School (KNPS) - Birla Zuaringar, which are spread in the different villages of Goa, India.

The 24 recipients were felicitated in the distinguished presence of the august gathering which comprised of family members of the retired teachers and staff of all the HFNES schools.

The theme 'You are Precious'. Set the tone with a welcome dance by SJVHS and a soulful prayer service through art and dance saying to the 24 retired staff members 'You are Precious' by STCHS staff members.

Through innovative skills the lighting of the diyawas replaced by pressing of different buttons on the logo lit by the president of HFNES, chief guest Dr Savio Faleiro, principal of Fr Agnelo College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar – Goa, India and heads of all the schools.

In her welome address the president Sr Berna Rodrigues, declared, "Teachers, you are the best when it comes to teaching. You have taught various subjects,you were not only great teachers but also guides to the students and the management. You have always made us realize the importance of life and have helped in defining what success really means."

Rodrigues added, "You are 'Precious', highly esteemed, cherished and appreciated. We the SFN family considers each of you of greatest value, of highest price, and most dear. 'God don’t make junk' and in you we have seen it is also true that He only makes priceless gems. This preciousness is but to be accepted, acknowledged, and proclaimed."

Rodrigues concluded, "Imploring God’s blessingsto guide them through the years ahead and in His infinite mercy, to grant good health to continue the wonderful work! Adding she said: I extend my gratitude on behalf of the SFN family for being great teachers, role models and the good examples. Your exemplary life will surely inspire us, the management, teachers, administrative staff and our collaborators to work selflessly for the youngsters entrusted to us."

The felicitation ceremony was guided by teacher’s Fedora Tavares e Silveira and Alfreeda Menezes of SJCHS, Nagoa-Verna, the hosts for the day.

The recipients were felicitated with a potted plant, gift, shawl and a memento by the president and the chief guest.

Dr Savio Faleiro in his speech thanked for inviting him for the teachers bi-annual programme and in his address he acclaimed, "From the beginning he was touched by the programme - the prayer, welcome address, recitation of poem andevery performance, organised by rev Sisters of HFNES for their retiring teaching and non-teaching staff."

He said, "It is an acknowledgement of what you have done to the thousands of students across 40, 39, 30, 25years of service and many students whom you havetouched whether as teacher or non-teaching staff will pray for you."

Faleiro continued, "We are blessed to be in the best possible vocation apart from the priest andnuns who have a different calling but so much as lay people we are blessed to be called teachers. As I begin my address today, there was a little bit challenge, because it involves teaching and non-teaching staff and every parent or non-teaching staff are teachers always. And that every teacher is always a student, so why not learn something from you and whom to focus upon andon how each one of us is precious to the society, in the eyes of the lord and what things we can do."

He further added, "This is a testimony for those who are retiring today that you have done more than enough in all your 30/40 years of service and that this is the documentation of whatyou havedone. To the senior teacher, that this is a refresher course what teachers generally go through of what you have been doing and what we are supposed to do in our life, that this is only a reminder of that you are on theright track. For the young teachers who are just joined this will set the tone for you to be the best teachers to the most precious students," and continued with his address through a PPT.

The unique and spectacular theme song 'You are Precious' presented by PSCHS staff members enthralled the audience.

Maria Cristina Luis on behalf of the retired staff expressed thanks and acknowledgement and gratitude for the HFNES. The secretary Sr Santana Goes sfn, proposed the vote of thanks as the curtains were drawn with the SFN Anthem song.

Albert Da Costa said with gratitude, "For 33 years I served in STCHS, St Estevam. Today’s event was beautifully arranged for all the retired teachers, I am very happy and congratulate the Society, and whenever the society requires any help in any other work, I will always render my help."

The event ended after the photo session and all dispersed after lunch.