Mangaluru : The Father Muller Charitable Institutions has held full splendour and gusto its 179th birthday of its founder Rev. Fr Augustus Muller on 13 March 2020. This day was meant for the faculty and staff to unite under the umbrella of the Father Mullerian Family and thank God for this Stalwart whose service and dedication built up this sprawling institution. The Father Muller Charitable Institutions also celebrates its 140 years since existence, from being a mere leprosy hospital to a multi-super speciality hospital whose service and charity is unmatched for.

A Thanksgiving Mass was held in the St Joseph Chapel at 4:30pm with V. Rev Fr Mathew Vas, Parish Priest Immaculate Conception Church Kinnigoli and Dean, Mangalore North Deanery as the main celebrant. The Director FMCI, Rev. Fr Richard A Coelho; Admin FMMCH, Rev. Fr Rudolp Ravi D’Sa; Admin FMMC, Rev Fr Ajith B Menezes; Admin FMHMCH, Rev Fr Roshan Crasta; Admin FMHT, Rev. Fr Slyvester Lobo; Asst Admin, Rev Fr Dheeraj Nelson Pais; Chaplain and Counsellor, Rev. Fr Felix Monterio; Chaplain Rev. Fr George D’Souza; Chaplain Derelakatte, Rev. Fr Felix Noronha and Resident Priest Derelakatte Rev. Fr Peter Noronha concelebrated the Holy Eucharistic celebration. The message of sermon delivered by Fr Mathew was to serve the people and country at all times in need and at every hour. The Eucharistic celebration also implored the help of the Most Holy Mother in Interceding for the Humankind in this time of distress due to the outbreak of the corona virus.

The solemn mass was then followed by a cultural extravaganza by the FMCI faculty and staff, showcasing their inborn talents. On this day staff and faculty from the various sister institutions of FMCI become actors, dancers, singers, musicians exhibiting folk art, western and eastern music and the Indian culture.

This year’s events were keenly scrutinized by Rev Fr Ajith B Menezes with various themes to depict the unity and diversity of India and the central theme of the Bishop of Mangalore Initiative: Plant Trees and Save Life, Pro Life.

The welcome dance was gracefully engineered by the Father Muller Hospital Thumbay and the prayer song beautifully rendered by the Father Muller College of Speech and Hearing. The beauty of Namma Kudla was brought fore by the Yakshaghana art form by Mr Arun Kumar (FMMC).

India and its unity in diversity was objectified with a dance ensemble, with Father Muller College and School of Nursing showcasing the dance forms of the Southern Peninsula and the Father Muller Homeopathic College and Hospital showcasing the North Indian Heritage and Culture.

The Catholic theme of the year declared by Most Rev. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese “Pro Life, Preserve Life” was enacted by the Father Muller Medical College and Hospital, dramatizing with song and dance preserving of life from conception to birth, promoting the Catholic ethos.

Vibrancy of the yester year Hindi Film era was enacted by the jubilant Father Muller Medical College.

The Director FMCI in his welcome address thanked the Faculty and Staff who put in their selfless service and dedication to uplift the institutions and thus bring about healing and comfort of the sick.

The enthusiasm to teach in the healthcare sector to bring in knowledge equipped health personnel is the need of the hour and all the faculty and staff are deserving of credit for doing so. He stressed that the progress of the organization depends on its faculty and staff, urging everyone to put in their best no matter if someones watching or not. A culture of “belonging” needs to be inculcated from within and regulations need to be part of routine in work setup. Discipline needs to be followed to run a well oiled army.

The chief guest V. Rev. Fr Mathew Vas spoke of the virtues a teacher, employee and employer should have to cohabitate and bring the institutions to greater heights.

On behalf of the President of FMCI and Director FMCI the family agape was followed by a sumptuous Vegetarian Dinner keeping in mind the season of Lent.