13 Students get Scholarships from Xavier Educational Trust

13 Students get Scholarships from Xavier Educational Trust

Xavier Educational Trust (Regd) which has set up a ‘Late Sebastian and Rose Vas Memorial Charitable Fund’ hosted a Memorial Service in honor of Mr and Mrs Vas and also an Endowment Lecture by Gerard Colaco on this occasion. 13 meritorious students of XET were given scholarships from the Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bengaluru

Mangaluru: The Xavier Industrial Training Centre was established in 1984 in Mukka and in 1992 was shifted to Assaigoli, near Mangalore University. The institute is solely managed with generous contributions and donations from well-wishers and has qualified teaching staff, five office staff and a good number students. At present, the courses offered at XET include Electrician, Mechanical Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Electronic Mechanic, Welder, and Diesel Mechanic. Short-term courses in Fashion Designing (6 months), Computer Training, Auto Electrical, Plumbing (6 months), Stitch Craft (6 months), Electrical, Electronics, Welding, Plumbing, Fitter and Computer (under one unit) (1 year) are also offered here. Xavier Stitch-craft, Xavier Counselling Centre and Xavier Placement Bureau are also part of the institute. In a very humble way, the institute which has grown into an ace centre for learning has been rendering yeoman service to the students from low economic strata of the society. The credit should go the generous well-wishers and donors who had contributed to the growth of XET, among whom are Late Sebastian and Rose Vas, the pioneer entrepreneurs of Mangaluru.

XET which has set up a “Late Sebastian and Rose Vas Memorial Charitable Fund, for the first time decided to host a memorial service in remembrance of this Vas couple, and also a endowment lecture by Gerard Colaco, the partner of Financial and Investment Consultant firm ‘Colaco and Aranha’, on Sunday, 15 May 2016. The memorial service in remembrance of Late Mr and Mrs Vas was celebrated at St Aloysius Chapel by Fr Vincent Crasta – Registrar at Papal Seminary, Pune and Fr Swebert D’Silva-Principal of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. Following the mass, a formal function was held at the college hall.

The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by the staff of XET. The chairman of XET, JJ Fernandes welcomed the gathering and gave a brief history of XET. The dignitaries on the dais namely Michael Fernandes – Chairman of Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bengaluru, chief guest – Gerard Colaco, FM Lobo-secretary of XET, and JJ Fernandes, along with family members and close relatives of Mr and Mrs Vas showered flower petals on the portrait of Late Sebastian and Rose Vas. Speaking about Late Sebastian and Rose Vas, who have donated Rs 25 lakhs to XET, Marina D’Souza said, “This is evident from the fact that Rose was a major donor of the Xavier Educational Trust established in 1984 and the Xavier Industrial Centre at Assaigoli, catering to the needs of rural youth. It is a pride and honour for the Vas family because one of the Projects has been dedicated to the memory of Late Sebastian and Late Rose Vas. It is heartwarming to know that Rose has sponsored candidates for priesthood at St Josephs Seminary and The Carmelite Order to work in the vineyard of the Lord. She was an active member of the Legion of Mary and the Social Service League. She also took an active part in the family business after her husband’s demise in addition to contributing to the welfare of her family. She was a good singer and loved to sing hymns and songs.”

D’Souza speaking more on Rose Vas said, “After her Late husband passed away at the age of 66 yrs, Rose shouldered the responsibility of the upbringing of her children. She nourished them with the love of God, prayer and devotion and the Rosary had to be recited every day. With God in the center of their lives, there was nothing to fear. She nurtured them inculcating in them the values of life and caressed them with her abiding love and warmth. Late Rose was a good Samaritan, very compassionate and caring, charitable and kind, generous and always giving especially to the poor and needy, less fortunate and the downtrodden members of society. She was a humane person.

Rose was a dedicated wife to her late husband Sebastian Vas of the famous Vas Bakery. She was a caring mother to Late Kenneth and Gladys, Lynette and Peter, Brian and Dr Caroline, Lester and Joyce, Mira and Bhujang, Caryl and Neil, Late Norman, Pearl and Late Mohan; has 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; has siblings Marie, late Jane, Frank M Lobo, Celine, Cynthia, Gerald and Carmelita. She passed away on 4 December 2015 at the age of 91.

During today’s occasion thirteen meritorious students of XET were presented with scholarships from the Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bengaluru. An endowment talk on the subject to be a successful entrepreneur was delivered by Gerard Colaco-partner of the financial and investment consulting firm “Colaco and Aranha” – the talk was very much enjoyed by the august gathering. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Meera Aranha, and the function was professionally compered by Dr Prakash Pinto, both trustees of XET.

In conclusion, according to Mathew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, ….”, we should know that giving is something done voluntarily. Giving should not be done under compulsion, coercion, duress, or conviction. When you do give, you are to give what you have chosen in your heart. Those who take pity on those less fortunate than us are true neighbors and caregivers. And Xavier Educational Trust with the kind contribution and support from donors and well-wishers has been serving the poor students to start a better career in their lives in the technical field.

Just like what Late Sebastian and Rose Vas did, there are many reasons to give – we give in order to help fellow citizens in need, help the poor and less fortunate, people with disabilities, and even help family members in distress. All you have shall some day be given – therefore, give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors. No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. We should never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up. The place to improve the world and society is first in one’s own heart, head and hands. The joy of being able to bless and give someone you love and care, and to make them smile, is priceless. The satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others cannot be overstated.

Knowing that you have helped make someone else’s life a little brighter and better is a special feeling, and one that will last with you for a long time. And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy. The satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others cannot be overstated. So if you are looking for a way to enhance your act of sharing and giving experience, try giving back now. Contribute to Xavier Educational Trust, so that a number of poor students who are looking forward to starting a career in the technical field could benefit by your generous contribution and blessings. Share the feeling of hope, and make a difference in their lives. While requesting you to generously contribute towards the Xavier Educational Trust, I end this column with Mother Teresa’s words:

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try. It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in. I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things. A life not lived for others is not a life. Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Call 0824-2421890 or visit XAVIER EDUCATIONAL TRUST (R). Administrative office: Catholic Centre, Second Floor, Hampankatta, Mangalore 575 001, for more details and how you can contribute financially.

Pics by Astel