FMCI commerates it’s Founder’s memory with thanksgiving and laying of foundation stone.
Mangaluru: The 113th death anniversary of Rev. Fr Augustus Muller SJ, the feast of All Saint’s Day, and a special occasion of Karnataka Rajyatsova were commemorated through a Thanksgiving Mass in the St Joseph Chapel early in the morning. The Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and President of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, led the Mass along with the priests of the management.
In his sermon, he called all to be ‘perfect’ as Jesus said, “The Father is perfect,” and advised all to steadfast in faith, as the saints, though role models, are the horizon for all.
The foundation stone blessing ceremony of the Father Muller College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Father Muller Medical College-Silver Jubilee Academic Block, and Father Muller PG Hostel Cum Apartments was later conducted in the Decennial Memorial Hall, presided over by the president of FMCI, most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, and NRI Philanthropist and entrepreneur Mr Michael D’Souza, who was the chief guest along with his better half, Mrs Flavia D’Souza.
Fr Ronald led the prayer through a scripture reading from the Gospel of St Mark on being the light to the world as the Father is. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, the Director of FMCI, led the gathering. The Charity Care Trust, run by Mr Michael D’Souza, has extended its help to construct the Jubilee academic block and NRI hostel.
50 thousand square feet pharmacy college designed by Christopher Noronha for the pharmacy college, the NRI Hostel of 18 floors designed by SKS associates, and the FMMC Silver Jubilee academic block by Saldanha associates were unveiled.
Fr Ajith B. Menezes, Administrator provided the details of the new structures. He also appraised the state government’s approval of the new Pharmacy College a day earlier.
Mr Michael, in his address, thanked God for his generosity to his family by giving him a little more than what is required for his comfort, to be used for the good of others. His charity trust works for building houses for the poorest of the poor, academic growth for poor students, helping the needy in healthcare, and entrepreneurship development through knowledge seeding and partnership.
Poverty and sickness make life miserable, so his family oath is to help those in need. He praised the Director FMCI, Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, for his vision and mission in making the institutions the beacon of healthcare in the region. He thereafter donated, through a cheque for Rs 50 crore for the two projects.
An MOU signing session was held between the Charity Care Trust and FMCI.
In his presidential address, the Bishop of Mangalore thanked Mr Michael for his generosity and magnanimous nature, for his heart was larger than normal. His expression of having enough to be the custodian of this gift of God makes him an example for all. The vision of FMCI is to be at the forefront of healthcare for the glory of God, the glory of God being manfully alive. This man’s glory is in the vision of God. For real humanity, we will be in the presence of God. The grace felt by those in charge of the Father Muller Medical College hospital is the work of God.
Dr Swapna PK, an associate professor of the department of medicine, compeered the event. The management committee,advisory committee members of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions, along with the governing board members of Charity Care Trust, were present.
