I am very happy to associate myself with inauguration of the new wing of the Holy Name High School.
It was only a few years after its inception and when it was still “learning to walk” that I had the privilege of guiding the infant school as its second Principal. That was a rich and rewarding experience particularly because the simple little children were under-privileged but responsive to a marked degree and truly grateful.
The Holy Name School has proved an indispensable boon to large numbers of the lower social strata and that is one of its proudest titles to glory. Many would not have known even the semblance of a formal education but for this lifeboat in their midst! “The poor have the Gospel preached to them.”
The years have been an uphill task for the staff and have made heavy and exacting demands on the School, but the satisfation of seeing the Institution flourish and take its place amidst the galaxy of Catholic schools in Bombay – that is both a tribute and a reward for the pioneers and for all who have kept the flag flying for nearly a quarter of a century.
With better facilities today and a bright future ahead, may I express the hope that the Holy Name School will proceed to make its mark by a shift of emphasis from the three R’s to the fourth, viz., human relations, giving it pride of place in the programme, since education is for action, not just for knowledge. A Catholic school justifies itself less by its academic and other successes than by the quality of its human products.
I shall be looking forward to the day when those who have been formed and disciplined at Holy Name emerge as future leaders in the Church and in the country and bring to bear on modern India the impress of the highest ideals and the greatest measure of dedication – even after the manner of Him whose name the school proudly cherishes.
God love and bless you all.
Message from
His Grace Archbishop Angelo Fernandes,
Coadjutor Archbishop of Delhi,
on the occasion of
the inauguration of the new wing of the School.