FAREWELL AND WELCOME PRINCIPAL
FAREWELL AND WELCOME PRINCIPAL
FAREWELL TO OUR FORMER PRINCIPAL REV. FR. THOMAS KUMAR & WELCOMING OUR NEW PRINCIPAL REV. FR. WALTER D'SILVA
"Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”
–Richard Bach
How does one begin to explain the plethora of sentiments in bidding farewell to a dynamic administrator, a multifaceted leader and a human being par excellence? How do words even begin to express the bittersweet feeling of saying adieu to a Principal whose considerate ways, meticulous attention to detail and thoroughness will be cherished for as long as memory serves one?
The morning of the Ist of July, 2024 was tinged with contrasting emotions of happiness as the family of St. Joseph's College, Prayagraj welcomed its new Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva and sadness as it bid farewell to three pillars of the 140 years old institution, the outgoing Principal, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar, the dedicated long serving office staff, Mr. Saju M. D. and the Primary Section teacher Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs. The Mistress of Ceremonies, Mrs. Linda Gaffney extended a warm welcome to the trio of beloved SJC members as they were accompanied by the new Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva, the Diocesan Education Officer, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, the Headmaster, Rev. Fr. Melwin Pais, the Additional Administrator, Mr. A. McGowan and the Staff Coordinator, Mr. J. Dube. Mrs. Madhulika D'Souza created a reverential ambience with a select passage from the Holy Bible and a special prayer for the well-being of the entire gathering. Furthermore, a melodious Prayer song by the Senior Section Choir, augmented the pious vibes of one and all. Subsequently, Mrs. Ancy Thomas introduced the indefatigable, industrious and illustrious new Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva. Her speech gave way to Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva being welcomed with a beautiful bouquet by Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar.
Speaking truly from the heart, the Primary Section Coordinator, Ms. Lynette Moore dwelt on the true-blue friendship she shared with Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs, appreciating her for her stellar services to the institution. Ms. L. Moore thanked Mr. Saju for his flawless working style. The legacy which Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar leaves behind in the form of his unparalleled thoughtfulness and grounded behaviour, especially in the trying times of Lockdown, was something unheard of and awe-inspiring, to say the least. A lovely song by the Primary Section Staff Choir, gave way to Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs' speech. Her 38 years of journey in St. Joseph's College was embellished by the faith Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar had in her. She expressed her deepest gratitude to Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar and wishing the very best to Mr. Saju while welcoming the new Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva. Not to leave any loose ends untied, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar requested Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs to officially release the new College Magazine, along with it's deputy editor Mr. Deepesh Sebastian. Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar presented a memento to Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs, as did Rev. Fr. Melwin Pais, a gift to her, as tokens of appreciation. Mrs. S. McGowan then presented a bouquet to Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs. Mr. P. Horo expressed his appreciation of the humble accounting genius of Mr. Saju. Mr. Saju will always be remembered for his excellence in both professional duties and interpersonal interactions. This was followed by a mellifluous rendition by the KG Section Staff Choir. Simple yet profound, Mr. Saju conveyed his immense gratitude to the present Bishop Most Rev. Louis Mascarenhas for having appointed him eighteen years ago, remembering the late Rev. Fr. Rolfie D'Souza and was profuse in his acknowledgement of the perceptive, perspicacious and personable Principal, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar.
The whole gathering was in for a beautiful surprise as Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva released the album of the songs in the College diary. Under the expert tutelage of Mr. Saubhagya Nayak, the student Choir compiled 29 songs, the first song of which was played out. This was followed by the presentation of a memento and a gift by Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar and Rev. Fr. Melwin Pais respectively to Mr. Saju. Mr. Terry George, on behalf of the office staff, presented a bouquet to Mr. Saju. Mr. Shashi Bhushan Rai encapsulated the love, reverence and admiration which Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar inspired throughout his tenure, earning the lifelong gratitude of each and every staff, student and parent in the most turbulent period in modern history, the lock down. A poem by Mr. Dilip Pascal and a poignant song by the Senior Section Choir expressed the gamut of emotions such a gem of a human being who led by example, inspired. A perfectionist and most importantly a priest par excellence, Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar, thanked the entire staff wholeheartedly for their relentless dedication to the cause of education, come what may. He exhorted every student to always remember the Pledge, and be respectful towards parents, teachers and all elders and to always give their best and leave the rest to God.
Then, Rev. Fr. Walter D'Silva in his first official speech as the new Principal of St. Joseph's College, Prayagraj, hoped that he would be able to continue with the terrific legacy of Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar. He impressed upon the need for teachers to be true to their mission in life and to always give their best.
The Vote of Thanks by Shrest Sebastian put the lid on the cornucopia of thoughts and feelings that a farewell inevitably brings in its wake. The morning programme concluded with the National Anthem by the entire gathering. Where feelings run deep, then eloquence is the natural outcome. In the second segment of the Farewell Programme, conducted by Mrs. Sumona Banerjee, in the Hogan Hall led to an outpouring of love, gratitude and admiration for the exemplary trio of Rev.Fr. Thomas Kumar, Mrs. Juliana M. Jacobs and Mr. Saju. Tributes flowed aplenty by Mr. Ankit Tandon, Mr. Ankur Arora, Dr. Manoj Singh, Ms. A. French, Mr. Jyoti Dube the Staff Coordinator, Mrs. Aparna Ranjan- the Middle School Coordinator, Mr. Alan Saju and Ms. Aditi Rudra, each one with at least one anecdote, detailing their gratitude to Rev. Fr. Thomas Kumar. Such is the enduring legacy of the outgoing Principal that the entire audience was left struggling with emotions. A beautiful video presentation by Mr. James Martin and Mr. Vivek Jaiswal conveyed the indelible impression of a man who is an institution in himself. Rev. Fr Thomas Kumar, then expressed his profound gratitude to all his teachers whom he truly considers as family and dwelt on his kindred spirit in his successor, Rev.Walter D'Silva. An aerial photograph of the management and the entire staff concluded the two-pronged farewell function.
