Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 16: ‘Celebrations are moments that strengthen our own vision, unite our spirits and magnify our joys’.
France will have two celebrations this weekend – one in the field of sports and the other which is of great significance to the school is the 150 years of the foundation of the Apostolic Carmel. The feast of the patroness, Mother of Mount Carmel was celebrated in a befitting manner of joy, spirituality and stellar display of talents by the students.
The power of prayer, silence, submission to God’s will. Mother Mary and Mother Veronica were chosen to sail across seven seas 150 years ago and lay their foundation to educate and empower the girl child here in India. Both these noble and valiant women are worth all the praise and glorification. With this in mind, Mount Carmel Central School celebrated the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16 and also the Foundation Say of the Apostolic Carmel congregation founded by venerable Mother Veronica in 1868 at Bayonne, France.
On the occasion, the presence of God’s gift through patroness Mother Mary and foundress Mother Veronica were acknowledged in the holy eucharistic celebration. The 150 lighted candles at the entrance procession carried by the students, parents and staff signified the sesquicentennial celebrations. Fr Prakash D’Cunha OCD celebrated
the thanksgiving eucharist. On this auspicious day, ceremonious initiation of Carmel Blossoms was also held. At the end of the mass, a souvenir with a prayer to Venerable Mother Veronica and scapulars were blessed and distributed.
After the mass, nearly 75 students of Mount Carmel School along with a couple of teachers visited St Agnes Special School and entertained them with a skit and dance, and also handed over notebooks and stationery to 275 plus differently-abled children of St Agnes Special School as well as a cheque of Rs one lakh fifty thousand to the principal of St Agnes Special School, Sr Shruthi AC, towards the school children’s midday meal fund. These funds were exclusively raised through cash contributions made by the teachers of Mount Carmel School- indeed a unique initiative taken by these dedicated and hard working teachers and sharing part of their earnings among
the less privileged special children.
The programme at the special school began with a welcome address by Sr Shruthi AC who highlighted the significance of the day. The special school children performed a dance sequence portraying Mother Veronica- the foundress of Apostolic Carmel congregation. This was followed by a short skit on Mother Veronica and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A dance and song by 'Carmel Blossoms' and Classes III / and X students of MCCS was next.
On July 14, the dtudents of grade 3A and 3B presented a stellar performance. This programme commenced with a befitting prayer service. Heaps of talent were exhibited through a meaningful skit which manifested the power of prayer, faith and submission to God’s will. Dances and songs which were fused in the skit received an overwhelming applause. The chief guest of the day Sr Carissima acknowledged, appreciated and applauded all the performers, the staff for their sense of belonging and the parents for their presence which was proof of their love for their children.
The students of class 10 then shed light on the history of this great day, the Foundation Day (1868 – 2018) highlighting the vision and mission of the Apostolic Carmel through song and a short skit. The joy of the celebration was expressed by a floor-tapping dance. An educative skit by class XII with a hint of humour was enacted on social media.
The chief guest Sr Josline Joseph AC addressed the gathering and highlighted the bond we have with each other as children of one God and as Apostolic Carmelites. She awarded the winners of the quiz on Mother Veronica, conducted as one of the activities of the sesquicentennial celebration.