Mangaluru: The new appointees within the Jesuit Province of Karnataka, Provincial Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ & Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru, Fr Melwin Pinto SJ  were felicitated by the staff of the St Aloysius Institutions during a program held at NCRI Hall, St Aloysius College, on Friday, 9 October 2020.  

Rev Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, who hails from Falnir in the city was the Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru for the last four years before being appointed Provincial, has himself studied there from 1969 to 1981 as has Fr. Melwin Pinto SJ, the newly appointed Rector of the St. Aloysius Institutions. Earlier, on 22 September 2020 during the Annual Governing Body Meeting of Mangalore Jesuit Education Society, Fr Melwin Pinto, SJ took charge as the new Rector.  

The program began with a prayer by Fr Felix Victor SJ, the Campus Minister, followed by a video clipping of reminiscences of Fr Dionysius Vaz’s contribution to St Aloysius Institutions, and a brief introduction of Fr Melwin Pinto SJ, by Dr Ronald Nazareth – HoD of Chemistry.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr Richard Gonsalves- Director of LCRI Block, SAC, followed by sharing of felicitation messages by Mrs Rita DÇosta-Office Superintendent (representing on behalf of Non-teaching staff), and by Dr Shalini Aiyappa- Hod of Psychology (representing teaching staff).

The felicitation citation to Provincial Fr Dionysius Vaz was read by Dr Alwyn D’sa, Registrar in charge at SAC.

Fr Praveen Martis SJ, the Principal of St Aloysius College extolled the leadership qualities of both Fr Dionysius Vaz and Fr Melwin Pinto. He said leadership is not about titles, management, or seniority; it is about the ability to influence thinking and to create more leaders after them. He said leadership is about the three R’s  – Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility for all their actions. “We should be proud to have these two leaders, Fr Dion who is going to govern Karnataka Jesuit Province, and Fr Melwin who will govern St Aloysius Institutions”, he said.

Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ responded by saying that GQ is the most important quotient of the quad quotients – IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), SQ (Social Quotient) and GQ (Gratitude Quotient). “Prestige comes when you feel you have done something well but Honour comes when others feel you have done something well. Working in an institution like ours’s we share at least two of God’s precious prerogatives: We have the power to know, and we have the freedom to love. What do I take away with me? More than a mere citation, a plaque or a plant, I take with me an experience-An experience in living, in forming relationships, in learning to be creative and competent, in learning to work in teams, in learning to be autonomous and an ongoing learner and learning to become a person of character. A long road lies ahead of me. I will have to approach it with generosity and humility, the two most important badges I can wear on the road through life”.

 Dr. Denis Fernandes-Director of Aruppe Block, SAC welcomed and felicitated the new rector Fr Melwin Pinto SJ. In response, he cited his long-standing friendship with Fr. Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ that started with being classmates at SAC to remark in jest, “Now my friend has become my boss!” He said St. Aloysius has become a great brand and its brand ambassadors were the Teachers and students. He cited the mission of Jesuit education – to form men-and-women-for-others; and elaborated on how the institution has steadfastly but surely moved towards this objective through its 149-year-old history. “The Jesuits have always been heavily committed to the educational apostolate, and still are. I want to work with you all to take SAC to greater heights, and let’s do it,” he said.

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Convener of the program, Dr Loveena Lobo, Director of  Maffei Block at SAC, and the program was meticulously and professionally compered by Dr Senek  D’Souza, HR Head, SAC.

Fr Vincent Pinto SJ, Finance Officer, SAC; Dr Farita Viegas, Principal, St Aloysius B Ed College; Fr Melwyn Pinto, Dean, AIMIT, Beeri; and Dr. Manohar Serrao, Principal, St Aloysius Evening College were also present.