by Father Ranson D'Souza for BISMumbai

A golden memorable year of cherishing, celebrating and caring for one another came to a glittering finale with the Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebrations of St. Dominic Savio High School, Andheri on 22 December 2019 with the Salesian community, school staff, parents, students, alumni, co-operators, well-wishers and friends. It was a golden moment of thanking God and all those who have been a part of this wonderful golden celebrations.

Chief guest, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay; the Guest of Honour, His Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues, Auxilliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay; Father Brian Moras sdb, Rector and Manager of St. Dominic Savio Boys'Home; Valerie Mascarenhas Principal; the Salesian community; alumni who are priests - Fathers Glenford Lowe, Xavier Devadas, Henry D’Souza, Tamatur Cardozo and Nobert D’Souza; Anthony Mascarenhas Alumni President; Joseph Serrao, Cooperators President and the school supervisors were welcomed with a grand band march.

The pre-primary tiny tots started with a prayer song and dance while the students of the primary rendered a welcome song and dance. A short clip of the visit of the Rector Major, which was a blessed moment in the golden jubilee year, was screened and the Annual Report was presented creatively. The Savion Brass Band performed under Father Edward D’Souza prior to the release of the Golden Jubilee Souvenir by Cardinal Gracias, chronicling he yearlong golden jubilee festivities with a staff song and dance performace culminating in the lowering of the Golden Jubilee Flag.

The musical ‘Savions all the Way’ directed by Avit Dias, brought out the true spirit of St. Dominic Savio High School and Boys’ Home. It’s was a sneak peek into the lives of their children at school and at home. The protagonist Simon, a well brought up motherless child raised single handedly by his dad Solomon showcased the ups and downs of being a single parent while Simon a strong and responsible boy is not only a good child but a fantastic basketball player as well who gets a golden opportunity to represent the country at the international level but not without overcoming insurmountable hurdles.

Appreciating the Salesians for their works in the field of education Cardinal Gracias said, “From the past 50 years the Salesians have been imparting an education which is holistic, enhancing the Spirt, mind and body. The Salesians have made significant contributions in the Archdioceses of Bombay, in the country and in the world for which we are grateful and pray that God continue to bless all that is being done.” A Vote of Thanks was proposed vote of thanks by Principal Mascarenhas to end the programme.

“It was an awesome moment indeed," said one of the alumni adding further, “a culmination of the celebration of a milestone." These golden moments will be etched in the annals of the institute and in the hearts and minds of all who were part of this historic moment.