SPECIAL ASSEMBLY IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA - REPORT

SPECIAL ASSEMBLY IN PREPARATION FOR THE
   FEAST OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA – REPORT

The Special Assembly in Preparation for the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola was held
by the Staff and First Year B. Ed students of SXIE on the 29th of July, 2021 from
8:30-10:20 a.m. The assembled were reminded that this was also a celebration of the
500th Anniversary of the Cannonball Moment of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Number of students who attended the program : 48 F.Y.B.Ed. students
Venue : ZOOM Platform

A short video was shown on the Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

A warm welcome was extended to the Principal, Dr. Sosamma Samuel, the Guest
Speaker and special guest Fr. Roy Pereira, the Manager of SXIE, Fr. Blaise D’Souza,
all teachers, support staff and all the F.Y.B.Ed. students.

    The Assembly proceeded as follows:
   ● Welcome by Dr. Sosamma Samuel (Principal)
     Dr. Samuel reflected on the lessons we have learned from the Pandemic
     situation -that change may not be easy but is still possible for one and all to
     adapt to. She mentioned how this year the Feast is a Virtual celebration all over
     the world and reminded everyone to log in on 31st morning to view the Feast
     mass on the YouTube link provided.
   ● Prayer song – B.Ed. students
     This was followed by a screening of the recording of the F.Y.B.Ed. students
     (Chantelle, Lester, Cliona, Malvika, Daris, Sukanya, Blythe) singing the Ignatian
     Prayer Song – Take O Lord and Receive.
   ● Short video on 500th year – Dr. V. Sebastian
     Next, Dr. Vini Sebastian played a special video on the 500th Anniversary of the
     Cannonball Moment of St. Ignatius of Loyola for the Assembly. The video spoke
     about how in today’s time, in the context of a pandemic our lives have slowed
     down. Similarly, St Ignatius of Loyola faced a similar movement like this 50
     years ago, which is termed as ‘Ignatius CannonBall Movement’. This moment
     changed St Ignatius Loyla’s life. It also spoke about this anniversary being an
     opportunity where we can ask ourselves what is the purpose of preparing

oneself for a profession. Different people spoke about what opportunities this
  anniversary gives us.
● Short Bible reading & reflection – Blythe
   The assembly then listened to the word of God from the Bible (Matthew 16: 24-
  26) read by Blythe Gonsalves, followed by a pause for reflection.

● Ignatian quotes/ - B.Ed. student
  The F.Y.B.Ed. students (Sancia Mathray, Nilseema Almeida, Shresth Dua,
  Sukanya Iyer, Saarang Tuscano; Snovia Fernandes) then read some Ignatian
  quotes.
      • Remembering Fr. Stan Swamy sj
  The Assembly then took time to reflect and remember the prophet and martyr
  Fr. Stan Lourdswamy, who passed away on the 5th of July this year. A 1-minute
  silence was maintained in memory of the departed soul.
● Guest speaker's talk – Fr. Roy Pereira s.j.
  Chantelle Mascarenhas then introduced the esteemed Guest Speaker for the
  day’s Special Assembly, Fr. Roy Pereira, a multi-talented, multi-faceted and
  renowned personality. A highly educated teacher and researcher, he is
  currently teaching at Creighton University, School of Medicine, USA.
  Fr. Roy Pereira spoke of the life, teachings and message of the way in which
  Fr. Stan lived his life and lessons we learn thereof. He spoke of the importance
  of Magis and Forgiveness in our lives and profession as teachers and the need
  to reflect and question if we were making a difference in the lives of our students
  and to always think positively. He played three of his compositions - The
  Challenge; Going Beyond the Stars; and Hope, Faith and Love for the
  assembly. This was followed by a Question- Answer session in which the
  students asked Fr.Roy how they could relate various Ignatian teachings in
  diverse areas in their lives.
  As the questions from the students were awaited, Father Blaise D’ Souza took
  up the platform to share a few points with the students. Father began by asking
  the assembly if Ignatius were here in the context of India, what would be his
  response to the context in which we were today? He also highlighted the
  problems of the environment, poverty and the pandemic and the relevance of
  the UAPs initiated by the Jesuits. Father also highlighted the importance of
  education in today’s time and how it would mould our teachers and students.
● Breakout Rooms Group discussion and presentation
  The assembly was next divided into groups of 3 in separate breakout rooms
  and asked to reflect and discuss on two questions framed by Dr. Vini Sebastian.
  - What actions of other-centeredness can we perform; and What are the
  challenges we face in standing up for the rights of others?
● Message by Manager Fr. Blaise D’Souza
  Fr. Blaise D’Souza, the manager of SXIE was invited to offer his thoughts and
  reflections. He exhorted the student-teachers to reflect, digest and apply Fr.
  Roy Pereira’s message in their lives as future teachers. He reminded them that
  it was not enough to learn to forgive others, but also to learn to ask forgiveness
  with humility from their own students when they were in the wrong. He asked
  them to be sensitive and recognise Cannonball Moments in the lives of their
  students and guide them.
● Ignatian Prayer by Lester Frias
   Lester Frias then led the assembly in the Ignatian prayer.

● Ignatian March –
  Dr. Vini Sebastian played the Ignatian March for the Assembly. It was a
  recorded version sung by the students of St. Aloysius, Mangalore.
● Vote of thanks- Olisa Misquitta
  The Vote of Thanks was given by Olisa Misquitta. Thanks were given to the
  Principal, Dr. Samuel, Fr. Ivan D’Souza, Fr. Blaise D’Souza, all the singers of
  the Noble Knight and Prayer Song, Dr. Vini Sebastian and the Staff and
  students participating in the Special assembly. The assembly was again
  reminded to log in and attend the Feast Mass on 31st July, the link for which
  was shared already.
● College Anthem
  The Assembly concluded with the playing of the College Anthem and an
  informal session of interaction between the Staff and Fr. Roy Pereira.
  The Assembly was compered by Shantala Bhat.

   PICTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE