Mangaluru: The family of Fr. Francis D’ Almeida, currently the vice principal of the St. Aloysius College, celebrated his 60th birthday (He was born on May 6th, 1956) on the 28th of May 2016. He retires at the end of the month.
Fr. Dr. Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province said of his 60th Birthday in a short biography that was released on the occasion – “a Jesuit never tires, he only re-tyres himself for another innings in the vineyard of the Lord”.
Celebrations began with a Eucharistic celebration at 10.30 AM by the Bishop of Mangalore, the Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, and Fr. Francis D’Almeida himself, at the historic and famous St. Aloysius College Chapel, and was followed by a grand felicitation function attended by the Society of Jesus fraternity, family and friends at the at Fr. LF Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block, St Aloysius College.
Monsignor Dennis Moras Prabhu, Administrator, AIMIT – Fr Pradeep Sequeira, Managing Director of Al Mazroui & Clevy Automobile Sevice LLC – Clevy Leo Rodrigues, Principal Fr. Swebert D’Silva, St Aloysius Registrar – Prof A M Narahari, Emme Saldanha, Joseph D’Almeida, Valerian D’Almeida, MLC Ivan D’Souza and MLA J R Lobo were present on the occasion.
Valerian D’Almeida, Fr. Francis’s younger brother, welcomed and introduced the guests on the dais, which was followed by Fr. Francis cutting a birthday cake specially baked for him.
The choir group of Prem Lobo led the gathering in prayer with a prayer song and along with Karen and her team and the College Choir, rendered melodious compositions specially composed and dedicated to Fr Francis for his birthday.
Prof A M Narahari who raised the toast described Fr Francis as a fun-loving person. He said that he loves human company. “Fr Francis is deeply spiritual, very compassionate and committed person. I would love to congratulate his mother Stephania D’Almeida for bringing him up that way,” he said.
Prof Edmond Frank read the citation which was followed by the felicitation of Fr Francis.
Monsignor Dennis Moras Prabhu then released an abridged version of the biography of Fr Francis compiled and edited by his younger brother Valerian D’Almeida. In his editorial his brother recalled, that it was in the summer of 1975, in accordance with his parent’s instructions he accompanied his two younger brothers, Francis, and his parents to see the Rector of the St. Aloysius Institutions, to offer him to the Jesuits. He remembers his father telling Francis not to look back, and Francis saying ‘yes’.
Monsignor Prabhu congratulated the entire family of Fr.Francis and said that he felt proud in being associated with Fr Francis and commended him on his good work in the diocese.
Clevy Leo Rodrigues wished him well for his birthday and recalled his long association with his family. He prayed that all good things happen in Fr Francis’s priesthood.
Fr Swebert D’Silva revealed that he and Fr. Francis had joined the priesthood together and described Fr Francis as a person of helping nature, a ‘fund-raiser’ in the college and a happy person.
Fr Pradeep Sequeira narrated an incident from his childhood that had the audience in splits, in which a guest was served rice for lunch, which had more stones than rice. He wished that Fr. Francis in the remaing years of his life would have a life which would have more rice than stones.
Fr Francis who spoke on the occasion said that he was really not ready to celebrate his birthday, but his younger brother Valerian and other family members planned everything. He thanked everyone for being a part the celebrations.
“I would like to recall a quote which I’ve followed all my life. Do what you do, do well,” he said. Always tethered to his roots, he then honored his mother Stephania D’Almeida and brother Valerian D’Almeida.
Manoj Lewis compered the programme and Fr. Francis’s brother Joseph D’Almeida delivered the vote of thanks.
A journey in the arms of Christ
Fr. Francis D’Almeida was ordained a priest on 1st May 1989 at Sacred Heart Church Suratkal since he hailed from that parish.
Within a week of his ordination to priesthood he was sent to Nagaland to serve in the mission there. Nagaland was taken up by the Jesuits of Karnataka in 1970.
He served there in the capacity of the financial Administrator, Vice- Principal and a lecturer of political Science. In Nagaland he was also involved in a Parish ministry.
He was the parish Priest of St. Anne’s Church Bijapur from 1992 to 1994 and also the superior of the Jesuit community. When there was earthquake in Latur Osmanabad in 1993 they constructed about 30 houses for the Dalits in Taddewadi of Indi Taluka of Bijapur district.
He was transferred to St. Joseph’s College Bangalore in May 1994, was Director of Navasadhana- Jesuit pre-novitiate, and was a lecturer in political Science, Director of Bangalore Christian Students Association and the director of Centre for Social Concern in the College. As director of the Christian Students Association he directed the students towards their faith formation, their social responsibility and social commitment.
In 1998 he was appointed Principal of St. Joseph’s Evening College Bangalore. In 3 years the face of Evening college changed by admitting mostly students of weaker sections in society and the Dalits. Their performance in the University examinations was remarkable because students were given special attention.
When the bifurcation took place i.e., separation of pre-university from the Degree studies, he was appointed the Principal of St. Joseph’s Pre-university College.There were more than 3000 students in the College at the time.
He was once again made Principal of St. Joseph’s Evening College in the year 2004.
In 2007 he was transferred to St. Aloysius Evening College Mangalore but he served at St. Aloysius College Autonomous.
When he came to Mangalore he was made the Campus Minister, State Adviser of Karnataka AICUF- the All India Catholic University Federation. As State Adviser he organized plenty of State Conventions. From 2007 to 2015 he helped out in Catholic youth movement, Jesus youth, and lot of parish ministries in the diocese of Mangalore. As Campus minister at St. Aloysius College he re-introduced theology classes for catholic students, built up Marian devotion, regularly organized the sacrament of reconciliation, organized annual retreats for Catholics and skill development and value Education for non-Catholics.
He hashad 27 years of fruitful Ministry in the church. He took part in the inter-religious dialogue movement. He built a good rapport with the Diocesan priests, and actively involved himself in the fight for justice when the Churches were attacked in 2008. He also actively took part in the social movements like the fight against Yetthinahole project.
He joined various NGO groups and fought against atrocities on women and Dalits and Christians in Khandamal in Orissa. He also conducted a lot of awareness programs, leadership programs for the students of various colleges in Karnataka. He was the person behind the rural exposure camps for Post Graduate students at St. Aloysius College.
Tributes pour in
The Bishop of Mangalore, Most. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, in his message in his biography called Fr. Francis a gift of God. He says he is an exemplary priest, with qualities of mind and heart that few have.
Fr. Dr. Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province, called him a dynamic Jesuit with lots of initiative and creativity.
Fr. Denis Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Mangalore Diocese, chipped in with his praise, calling Fr. Francis a combination of Intellect and friendliness. He recalled their family relationship which stretched back three generations, and admired his rich heritage of religiosity, authentic Christian faith, true Mangalorean Christian culture and especially his love for his mother.
To Santosh Kumar Kadri, St. Aloysius College Alumnus and Coordinator, he is a friend, philosopher and guide. He admires him for his PR and human resource management skills which he has seen at close quarters.
M. Chandrasekhar, a retired Govt. Officer, first met him in 1997 in St. Josephs Arts and Science College in Bangalore, where he was a lecturer. In him, he says he found his inspiration, for he was compassion personified. His unassuming nature, his humility, sense of humor and ability to meet life head on, has, he avers, left a last impression on him, which he carries in his day to day life.
Dr. Richard Gonsalves, President of the St. Aloysius College Alumni Association, terms him a cheerful motivator, a true Aloysian and has acronymed his name Francis to describe him thus: Friendly, Resourceful, Affectionate, Noble, Courageous, Inspiring, and Superlative. All those who him, would agree whole heartedly with this description.
The Head of Department, Political Science, St. Aloysius College, Dr. Rose Veera in her message says he is an achiever, an active teacher for whom his students came first and above all “a man of heart”, which says a lot about him.
For Shivdas MV, Regional Head, South, Godrej, Fr. Francis is a good friend and an inspiring personality. He recalls that he first met Fr. Francis in connection with the admission of his son to St. Josephs and it bloomed during brisk walks in Cubbon Park. He recalls the wide circle of friends that Fr. Francis had, and his firm but friendly way of decision making.
A fellow Jesuit, Fr. Pradeep Sequeira SJ, calls him a catalyst for the progress of institutions, his liveliness, joviality and extrovert nature standing him in good stead, in his many vocations in the Jesuit Ministry.
Dr. Jacob Crasta, Founder Chairman, CME Group, calls him an energetic guide based on his association with him as the PTA Vice President in 2004.
Fr. Anthony Serrao, Parish Priest, St. Sebastian Church, Bendur, admires him for his friendliness, active disposition and sense of humor.
News Karnataka wishes Fr. Francis a very happy birthday and fulfilling journey in the arms of Christ.
