Mid-Day Meal Launched at XITC in Memory of Rose and Sebastian Vas
Mid-Day Meal Launched at Xavier Industrial Training Centre (XITC)- Assaigoli near Konaje-Mangaluru, a Unit of Xavier Educational Trust under the auspicious of Late Sebastian and Rose Vas Endowment Fund.
“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.” – Mother Teresa
Mangaluru: 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. There are some exceptions, of course. 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 care givers.
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. And that exactly was done by Late Rose Vas in her Will that after her death a sum of Rs 25 lakh to donated towards the XITC Endowment Fund- and today it has been used for a very good cause by launching Mid-Day Meals every Saturday for the students who many of them come from low income, some with no parents and some who hail from very poor families.
So, by sharing part of your wealth, you too can follow in the footsteps of Late Rose Vas, and if you are looking for a way to enhance your act of sharing and giving experience, try giving back now. Let’s give to the less fortunate, ashrams, non-profit organizations, needy families and children, and others a feeling of hope, and make a difference in their lives. And also one place you can donate some of your wealth is Xavier Industrial Training Centre, (Wholly managed by funds received from donors/well-wishers), where the Board members of XITC are inviting well-wishers and friends to be partners in their endeavors to help these students to pursue their career in Industrial training.
The Mid–Day meal programme was started under the auspices of “Late Rose & Sebastian Vas Memorial Charitable Fund” which was set up by Xavier Educational on 15th May, 2016. And today, the inauguration of the Mid-Day meal was held at the Centre in Assagioli, near Konaje, Mangaluru. The program began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by the students of XITC. The Chairman of XET, JJV Fernandes welcomed the gathering and gave a brief history of XET & XITC and introduced the dignitaries on the dais. The chief guest for the occasion was Rev. Fr Stanislaus D‘Souza, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuits, while Bryan Vas (Son of (Late) Sebastian and Rose Vas), Proprietor of M/s. Vas & sons-Bendore, Mangaluru was the guest of honour. The program was inaugurated by lighting a lamp by the Chief Guest & dignitaries present on the dais.
Speaking on the occasion Rev. Fr Stanislaus D Souza praised the selfless work undertaken by the Founders of the trust and the Board of Trustees for doing service to the society namely by giving education to the poor and the marginalized class. He advised the students to be worthy citizens of the country. Giving the example of the invention of pencil, he emphasized the importance of the pencil and its benefits, and urged the students to make avail of the benefits provided by the institute, thereby reach greater heights either in becoming a teacher, leader, engineer, politician etc.He suggested that the education they receive in this Institution should benefit the students to do fruitful service to the Society and country. “You should dream big, and make sure you accomplish your dreams by making them come true” added Fr D’Souza.
Twelve Meritorious students of XITC were presented with scholarships from the (Late Lawrence V. Fernandes Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was presented by Dr Michael Lobo, renowned Mangalorean Genealogist, who represented Mr Michael B Fernandes, Chairman of Lawrence Fernandes Foundation, Bengaluru. Also speaking during the occasion, Bryan Vas acknowledged and appreciated the efforts taken by the XET in fulfilling his Mother’s wishes and desire. Bryan inaugurated the Mid-Day meal Programme on behalf of the Vas family by lighting the lamp placed before the portrait of (late) Mrs Rose Vas, followed by a showering of flower petals on the portrait by other family members and dignitaries.
The vote of thanks was rendered by Secretary of XET, F M Lobo who thanked all the dignitaries present on the dais and everyone involved in making the function a success. Sudhir Raj B Kotian, Principal of XITC were present on the dais. XET treasurer M T Mascarenhas also spoke on the occasion and read out the names of the Scholarship Meritorious Students. The function was efficiently compered by Shivananda, Junior Training Officer of XITC.
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