The Feast of St Gerard Majella celebrated at FMCI
Mangaluru: The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, in collaboration with the Nursing Service Department of Father Muller Medical College Hospital and Father Muller College of Nursing, celebrated the feast of St Gerard Majella, the patron saint of happy childbirth, antenatal women, and postnatal mothers, on October 17, 2023, at the Hospital Conference Hall.
The celebration commenced with a solemn Mass at 5.45 a.m. in the Hospital mini Chapel, followed by a programme at 8.30 a.m.
The programme began by invoking the blessings of the Almighty through a prayer song by Ms Clarita Lobo Pearl and her team.
Dr Prajna Kumari, Assistant professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, extended a cordial welcome to the gathering. Mrs Helen Lobo, Nursing Superintendent, FMMCH, extended a floral welcome to Sr Lucy Rodrigues, chief guest of today’s programme. This was followed by lamp lighting by the dignitaries and the garlanding of St Gerard portrait, which marked the beginning of the ceremony.
Dr Deepa Kanagal, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, gave a brief introduction to the chief guest. Speaking on this occasion, Chief Guest Sr Lucy Rodrigues, Nirmala Hospital Ullala, Mangaluru, said, Today we are celebrating the feast of St Gerard Majella, a feast of our own saint. She also stressed the miracles she encountered through Saint Gerard during her practice. She also said that God gives us whatever we ask for in prayer with faith. We must enormously thank St Gerard for all the favours he has bestowed on us.
Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, offered a memento to the chief guest, Sr Lucy Rodrigues, Nirmala Hospital Ullala, Mangaluru, as a mark of gratitude on the occasion.
Presiding over the ceremony, Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, said the St. Gerard feast is celebrated every year. Our spiritual feelings are evoked, and we are all called to raise our hearts and minds to God almighty, who is our benevolent father who works miracles through various people, whom we call saints, and also through the instrumentality of human beings through doctors, nurses, and paramedics. He remembered and appreciated the contributions of Sr Lucy Rodrigues to this institution. He thanked all the staff of the obstetrics and gynaecology departments for their service to expectant mothers.
As a part of the festal celebrations, the department organised various activities for the antenatal and postnatal mothers of the OBG ward, and prizes were distributed to the winners by Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, FMMCH, Sr Lucy Rodrigues, the chief guest, and Rev. Sr. Dhanya Devasia, Chief Nursing Officer.
All the antenatal and postnatal mothers admitted to the OBG wards of FMMCH participated in the programme.
Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, FMMCH, Fr Nelson Pais and Fr Rohan Dias, Assistant Administrators, Dr Antony Sylvan Dsouza, Dean, FMMC, Unit Heads of the OBG Department; Mrs Jyothi Pinto, HR Manager, Sr Jacintha Dsouza, Principal, FMCON & FMSON, Sr Dhanya Devasia, Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Superintendent; Assistant Nursing Superintendents; Ward Incharges; and Antenatal Staff were present for the occasion.
Mrs Ramyashree, assistant professor at FMCON, rendered the vote of thanks. Ms Preetha Dsouza, 1st-year M.Sc. Nursing student, compered the programme.
