Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, May 11, 2015 : The management, staff and students of Vijaymari Technical Institute here celebrated its golden jubilee with thanksgiving Eucharist, felicitations and cultural programme, at the VTI premises on Friday May 8.

The brainchild behind the starting of Vijaymari Technical Institute was the then superior general (1959-1972) Mother M Theodosia AC who wanted to provide several opportunities for the benefit of young Catholic girls/others who emerge out from high schools in DK, and who were eager to take some profession which would enable them to learn and earn and supplement their family income; and also Mother Theodosia, realizing that these promising young girls were at the same time, subject of moral danger specially when they had no option but to leave Mangaluru to find better jobs in cities like Mumbai, decided to open this institute.

The golden jubilee celebrations of VTI began with thanksgiving Eucharist at the Vijaymari Chapel, by Dr Peter Machado, bishop of Belagavi, along with other clergy namely Fr Lawrence Ronald D’Souza, Kodialbail Press, Fr Alwyn, Capuchin priest, and Fr Sterwin, superior of Maria Kripa, Betharram Fathers. In his homily, Bishop Machado quoting that man gets and then forgets, said, "While we are celebrating with joy the golden jubilee of VTI, we should not forget the blessings of God on this institution. God has not let us down, he protects us, guides us and cares for us, and in return we should be grateful to him."
He further said, "Everything is possible with God - we need to trust him, have faith and believe in him. While we are celebrating the fruitful golden years of this institute let us ask for God’s blessings so that this institute will carry on to celebrate the platinum and centenary jubilee. I congratulate the Sisters, staff and students of this great institution for the successful 50 years and may God bless you all."

The Mass was followed by felicitations and cultural programme. The formal function began with a welcome prayer song sung by VTI students, followed by 'Swagatam', a welcome dance by the students. Sr Maria Joyce, principal of VTI welcomed the gathering and introduced the dignitaries on the dais, which was followed by the inauguration of the programme by lighting the traditional lamp by Bishop Machado, along with other guests of honour namely, Sr M Linette, provincial superior, Karnataka province, Sr Edna Furtado, secretary, the AC Ed Society, Karnataka province, Sr Ida Barboza, superior and joint secretary of VTI, Sr M Rosetta, pioneer, VTI, and Sr M Joyce, principal, VTI.

Sr Rosetta expressing her close association with VTI and service for 21 years said, "Thousands of students from DK, Kerala, Karwar, Belagavi, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, and many other areas have passed out of this Institute and are employed or self- employed, and also many have joined vocations to different Religious Congregations and quite a few have joined the Apostolic Carmel. Ever since the inception, although Vijaymari is an unaided though permanently recognized Institution it has developed steadily and it was only possible due to the tremendous support and encouragement received by way of spiritual, moral and financial aid both from within and outside AC congregation."

Sr Linette AC also spoke and complimented the management and staff for the glorious fifty years of service through education, and morals.

MLA Mohiuddin Bava who arrived late for the function, in his speech praised the Christian community for their service in the field of education. No other community provides the best education and morals like the Catholic community, he said. Through all that God has enabled these Apostolic Carmel Sisters to do, and make them continue what they are doing, their main objective is to help the students to get the skills and attitudes necessary for community living with a sense of dignity in labour to serve faithfully God and the Country. Although the Sisters are trying their best in running the Institute to the maximum satisfaction of the students with quality and dedicated service and training, the public should also support them.