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FARE WELL DEAR FATHER - a tribute of Love Amit Joseph (Ex-Student)
It was my cherished dream to return to the Orange City and to share my feelings on the occasion of the Farewell Function to Fr Ivan Lobo by the SFS School. But sadly there wasn’t one. So I decided to put pen to paper or rather fingers to keyboard with a hope it could be published somewhere. Having known Father closely for over 3 decades, there were many facts about his life and work in my possession. The rest I have culled from other sources, mainly from common friends, fellow ‘old students’, and his well -wishers. Hope I do justice to the task with both sincerity and exactness, and in totality whatever the length. Fr. Ivan Lobo was born on 28th August, 1945. He was ordained Priest of God on 18 October 1970. He completed school in 1961, His B.A (Nagpur) and Philosophy in 1966, his Theology and B.D. (from Rome) in 1971, the B.Ed (Bombay) in 1974, and M.A. (Nagpur) in 1980. As a seminarian he served for one year under the well known psychologist and Professional Counselor, also specialist for the mentally challenged, Fr. A.J. Malin S.V.D, of the Nagpur Child-Guidance, Vocational and Psychological Centre. The Seminary Professors wanted Father, to go to Rome for higher Studies in Theology, in 1971 so that he could thereafter teach in the Seminary as he was a good student and fared very well in the Bachelor of Theology exam, obtaining that degree from St. Thomas Aquinas University, Rome. But Archbishop Raymond needed him in SFS School. As a Priest, He was appointed to S.F.S in 1971 and continued till 2007, being Principal from 1995 to 2007. Fr. Ivan took over as Principal at a time when educational institutions were in dire need of religious, moral and spiritual values, more so a Christian school whose patron is St .Francis de Sales. And so right from his inception as Principal on November 01, 1995, he set about restoring these values in precept and practice. And to a great extent, he had succeeded in his objectives when he retired by May 2007 after 36 years-12 years as Principal inclusive of 4 years extension at the request of the Archbishop, and permission from Govt., thanks to Shri. Anees Ahmed’s mediation.
He had the advantage of a very good family upbringing, and formation first under the Spanish Jesuits in Bombay, then guided by French Fransalian Fathers and early Indian Diocesan Priests in S.F.S. from class VII in 1956, till the Senior Cambridge in 1961, later trained by Irish Dominicans in St. Charles Seminary for 10 years till 1971, and since then back in S.F.S first with and under good old Fr. Mathew Fernandes who was Principal even when Fr, Ivan completed school. And so, in season and out of season, Fr. Ivan kept insisting on the primacy of God and stressed the importance of prayer reminding us of the charism and “Profile” of S.F.S. which intends to form a young man with a total and integrated personality standing for a) Moral and Spiritual values b) Human and Personal values c) Academic Excellence Values d) Social Awareness Values and e) Leadership Values – all stressed every weekly Assembly and through teaching, special talks, role play and dramas, Masses and Prayer services, and Seminars on child-centered topics. Again and again he appealed to everyone to DARE TO BE WISE- our School motto. It was truly inspiring to see him stop all work or conversation and bow his head at the time of prayer, be he in the Office or class-room, corridor or Play-ground. An example for others! He made both staff and students develop a social consciousness, a Christian concern for the poorer and weaker sections of society, the sick, the oppressed, and the exploited. Every year the school and students collected / contributed Rs 2 to 3 lakhs for various charitable causes like, Helpage India, Global Cancer Concern, Holy Childhood for Poor Children, Red Cross Society, Campaign against Hunger and Disease, Mission Sunday for Poor and Needy, Mother Teresa’s Home, for Malnutrioned Children, Fee Concession for Poor and Needy , Leprosy Relief Fund etc. He not only made sure that No Money was taken for Admission, thereby keeping touts as far as possible out of business, at least where S.F.S was concerned, but also issued an appeal for funds only 2 months after- admission - time in keeping with the Code rule, even though he knew money would not be forthcoming after admission. S.F.S. school was not started to be a fund- generating agency or a money- making institution, he said. He strongly prohibited levying of fines from students except when absolutely necessary and that too only a very small amount. He had in mind parents who were struggling to make ends meet. S.F.S, he also stressed, was not started for the more intelligent, the elite or affluent classes, but specialized in the mission of accepting average and below-average and weaker students and raising them to their highest potential. Everybody of every class, caste, community and creed were made to feel as One Family, brothers and sisters, children of the One God. The weaker enjoyed his special benevolence. The lowly workers will testify to his kindness and friendliness. A friend without familiarity to one and all. Rev. Fr. Ivan Lobo was indeed married to S.F.S., for better or worse, for 36 long years – a priestly record! He had a tremendous love for every student and ex-student, rich or poor, high or low, and of every caste, creed, and community - Christian, and the vast majority, Non-Christian, and his students loved and still love him. A “Father” Ivan to all !.
An
excellent Teacher, he held his students absorbed and enthralled like a
magician.
Though very friendly, Fr. Ivan was a very by nature, Fr. Ivan was a very strict
and no-nonsense person. In his first 10 years he even followed the dictum
“Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child Fr. Ivan is probably the only teacher who has many ex-students from India and Abroad still visiting him even after 36 and more years. Many keep writing to him. Gifted with a fantastic and photographic memory, he not only remembers their names, where they sat in which class, many interesting incidents, even the year they passed school which some of them have forgotten. A minimum of 2 ex-students a week had been coming to visit him for over 36 years, and still continue to do so. These included former Union Minister and now Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik, and Anees Ahmed, Cabinet Minister Maharashtra and Rajkumar Hirani of Munnabhai fame. Besides, very many of his students are, masters and luminaries from sports and games to science and technology, medicine and law in every corner of the globe. Their letters, their visits, are a real tonic for Father. Reviving memories and reliving the past brings him immense joy. For this matter, any ex-student, however old, gets him excited. Eminent Ex-students were accorded a befitting reception and felicitation when they visited school. These ‘Old Boys’ included Archbishops and Bishops, Lt.-Generals and Major -Generals, a Vice Admiral and Air Vice-Marshal, Judges and Ministers, Priests in Nagpur and around the country, even abroad, Director General of Police, Scientists and Physicians and Engineers and experts in every field in India and the world - all in love with their Alma Mater. Fr. Ivan was happy to meet and greet, Ashok N. Katti from the USA, an old ex-student, and grateful for his extraordinary generosity and love for his Alma Mater from which he passed out in 1947. Fr Ivan also helped the Old Boys Association (OBA) to organize a Fellowship-Nite every year in the school Premises, besides other functions by them. He maintained contact and cordial relation not only with ex-students, but also with Parents, Officials and people in position, many of whom would be helpful to school as and when required. Other priests in the Diocese and people also approached him for help with their problems by using his good contacts. Father was not only a bright student and excellent elocutionist who represented S.F.S as a student for 6 years (1956-1961), but also a born actor, singer and dancer who performed and played leading roles in dramas and operettas in school, college and seminary. As a teacher he directed plays and in those years S.F.S bagged many a trophy at Inter – School Dramatic competitions. Today, the Orange City can boast of a most talented and prolific actor, director and producer named Vikash Khurana who was a disciple of Fr Ivan from 1974-1978. Fr. Ivan was a born orator, and his speeches often extempore, especially when that by a Chief Guest seemed inadequate, flowed from his wealth of intelligence, knowledge, reading and experience, and laced with wit and humor. He spoke with such eloquence, power and conviction that everyone in the audience, including some normally fidgety boys, listened with rapt attention. All eagerly looked forward to hear him at the weekly Assemblies, and more so on Special occasions like the Independence and Republic day ceremonies. his funeral eulogy for sir amaranth fernandes and mr. i.w. caston linger on with them in the minds and MEMORIES of all who heard or read them. When he entered as a teacher in 1971 Fr.Ivan was assigned responsibility for the LIBIRARY, which he totally transformed and developed and took interest in till the very end. All past and present librarians will testify to his deep love for boys, books and reading. Fr. Ivan also was in charge of Faith-Formation and Value-Education for 28 years till Fr Alfie Carvalho took over in 1999. The House of God, i.e. the Chapel, Masses, Prayers services and Religious instructions received the importance due to them. Fr. Ivan’s Parents coming from very noble and religious families in city of Mangalore settled in Bandra, Mumbai. They and his 3 older brothers, 2 in U.S.A were a great inspiration, example and spiritual support to him. The man responsible for bringing Fr. Ivan to Nagpur at the tender age of 10 was Most Rev Eugene D’souza, the first Indian Bishop and Archbishop of Nagpur, a most charming and dynamic person, priest and prelate. Irish Dominican, Fathers Cussen, Candon, Toner and McCarthy were the other big influences in his Seminary days. Fr. Ivan’s Father Mr. A.V. Lobo, a Secretary to Govt. of the then Bombay State, was closely associated with Archbishop Eugene in the task ( 1956-57) of getting the Govt. Ministry to return the Red Building on the Seminary Hills to the Archdiocese in time to start the S.F.S college in that building on the hill in June 1957 The building was taken over by Govt. during World war II. The Archbishop remained a very good friend of the family till the end. Fr. Ivan told me that his family was blessed with many close relatives as priests and nuns. Fr. Peter Lobo, a first cousin from both father and mother’s side and a year junior to Fr. Ivan in S.F.S School and later St. Charles Seminary, was the first Indian Provincial of the Dominicans in India and Sri Lanka, also a Rector of the Nagpur Seminary besides Professor for many years. Fr. Peter has a doctorate in Theology from Rome. Having come to Nagpur at a young age in 1956, Fr. Ivan came in contact with some French and early Indian Priests in Nagpur and S.F.S. With this long association, an excellent memory, much study about the History of the Diocese and SFS School, above all a tremendous interest and love for the legacy of the past, and the good sense for maintaining good traditions, he was slow to make changes except when really required. For example, a change in school Uniform was made only after 4 years of consideration and deliberation at various forums, and final approval by the Governing Body. In his time, there never was change for the sake of change, or for novelty and name, or for financial gain. During his tenure as Principal (1995-2007), Fr. Ivan gave a new face–lift to S.F.S. These were years of Repair and Renovation, Renewal and Restoration, Contractors and Construction. Every inch of the whole building was replastered and repainted, stage by stage every year, the grounds dug and filled and leveled-Class-rooms and Staff-rooms, Chapel, Auditorium, Study – Hall, Corridors, Toilets, Parks and Gardens, Roads and Lights - all underwent further renovation and beautification. New constructions included the New Staircase to Auditorium, a honeycomb structure, – 3 Modern Computer Labs to accommodate 100 computers, the Internet facility, - Colour printers and Laser printers. Many new machines like LCD projector, with a wide Screen and an Overhead Projector, the Printing room, a new Digital Printing Machine - New Gates on Link road and in the building - E.P.B.X. Digital Phone System, and Ultra Modern Intercom System - installation of LPG Gas Plant in Chemistry Laboratory - Computerization of Fee Office . His last year during illness saw the erection of an Audio -Visual Lab. He also started the Annual School Bulletin - New Uniforms after over 50 years with Navy Blue Pants and Grey/Blue Shirts, with the School Crest (Incidentally, Navy Blue was the colour of the school pants till War II) - an attractive Maroon-Coloured School-Cardigan as a part of Winter wear, and Singing classes for Primary school children after over 20 years, a Band for the Annual Sports and Drill and Orchestra for the Annual Concert. Our boys were privileged to be selected by NETPEM (Network for Preventive Environmental Management) for presentations on environmental issues at Sweden, and a second time at Turin in Italy. A grand Fancy Fete was held on our big grounds, and a beautiful Float on “The Catholic Church in service of Nagpur since 1800” as a part of Nagpur’s Tercentenary celebrations. For 25 years, Catholic Students of class IX and X were privileged batches. His Religion classes were very meaningful and lively with prayer and song too. Thanks to his vast knowledge and up-to-date reading, personal experiences and catechetical skills, the boys were totally involved, be it in Bible - Sharing, Individual or Group Prayers or preparing Charts on Religious Themes. Besides Charts, every year, every Catholic boy of IX had to interview 2 priests on their “Priestly Vocation and Ministry” and also a couple of parents on “Family Life - A Christian Home” Students will never forget him singing the song ‘EXODUS’ and himself acting out the role of Moses and the Israelites as he explained the Passover Sacrifice. (He was an ‘Audio Visual’ himself!) .The boys took much interest in helping Father with the Mission Sunday collection which rose from less than Rs. 2000 ( before he took over in 1976) to over 2 lakhs for the Nagpur diocese, when he handed over after 2006 - a 30 year ministry. Faith-Formation was a Faith-Experience for the students even after leaving school. Father’s only regret was that too few joined the Seminary! Will we ever get again a Priest as Principal who is also an old boy of SFS? Maybe Fr. Ivan’s prayer will be answered some day!! In addition to school work, Fr. Ivan was also daily Chaplain to Mother Teresa’s Sisters for over 15 years, SUNDAY Mass for Children for 10 years in the Cathedral, Assistant- priest for Sunday Mass at Ordnance Factory Wadi, for about 20 years, Diocesan Director for the Propagation of Faith Society for 30 years, Editor of Diocesan “Messenger” for 5 years, and Visiting Priest in Outstations and Missions in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh parts of the Archdiocese, for Christmas and Holy week and Easter for 36 years(1970-2002). For over 32 years he gave all his salary every month to the Church Management and also a larger sum of Retirement Benefits from Govt., and since then every month his Pension too. Though as Principal there were large expenditures on school repairs and renovations, maintenance and development, yet by very careful spending and banking he was able to leave the school and diocese a lot of funds in Savings and Fixed Deposits. Money was well spent, Money was saved well. BUT S.F.S. WAS NEVER A MONEY- MAKING INSTITUTION WITH HIM AT THE HELM. The school BULLETIN every year recorded the many events.- Programmes, Functions Celebrations, Competitions, Examinations, Exhibitions, Seminars and Retreats etc, etc which were organized and conducted to perfection with the willing and joyful cooperation of most of the Staff and Students. A few defaulters benefited from his loving patience. There always are the few Ungrateful and some ‘Time-Server’ human beings in this world. Who can forget the grand Farewells organized by Fr. Ivan as Principal for over 31 retiring Staff Members, even better for a retired Peon. He loved his school, his students, his staff, and they loved him. There was Charm in going to School. Any school programme and activity was well thought of and meticulously planned and organized much in advance, and executed to near perfection by teaching and non teaching staff and students who were only too willing and happy to help. He both led from the front and followed up from the rear. One cannot forget the Annual Concerts and Drills/Sports, Examinations and Evaluation, Feast Days Masses and celebrations, Felicitations and Farewells, Parties and Picnics etc. The regular Notices on Boards, well anticipated, were a delight to read. In his personal life too, he was highly methodical, systematic and organized. Neatness and tidiness, beauty and style in everything he did (all at the cost of much stress and nervous tension) were things to admire and emulate. Archbishop Abraham appointed Fr. Ivan to be ‘organizer and coordinator for both public functions, one by Catholic educational institutions on the occasion of His Grace’s Episcopal silver jubilee in 2002, the other to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Archdiocese in 2003. Past - master in organizing functions for many years, he did an excellent job of both. Fr. Ivan was a “Professional Entertainer”. He was the soul and life of parties with priests and people, staff and students. The Staff can never forget his Song and Dance and Action at functions like the annual Christmas-Dinner and Staff-Picnic. His talent rose to the occasion, even singing in Malayalam, to make the show lively, and everyone happy and full of fun and laughter.
When offered the mantle of Principal in 1995 and when requested by the Archbishop in 2003 to continue for 2 years, and again in 2005 for a further 2 years. Father Ivan accepted and agreed in the School’s interest, but not without some hesitance. That was because poor health had dogged his steps for some years and by 1995 heart – related ailments and sleep disorders made work a big struggle. Besides, he had no Vice-Principal and those duties were also his. But he remained totally dedicated and committed to the job, and being the perfectionist he is, it must have been at a great cost to his health. His room was like a pharmacy. Very few knew that Father labored daily from 7.00 am along with good dear Mr. Caston or a Brother, and at night alone composing notices, preparing documents or speeches, and attending to files. Before a Walk every evening he was seen signing papers, or visiting officials of the Education department, or lawyers discussing the Court - cases. Sadly, some who are prone to malicious gossip deliberately forgot that in his final year, though seriously ill for most of that period and hence on medical leave, he was still compelled to manage and monitor school work from the room right from May in the Summer of 2006, when he could well have gone elsewhere to recover. He continued attending to duty and only when the authorities realized in March 2007 how bad his condition was that he was shifted to Mumbai for treatment at the onset of Summer 2007. “Duty before Pleasure”, “Through Difficulties to the Heights”, “Faithful to the End”- and always Dare to be Wise. A true son of SFS! . Numerous were the Achievements and Awards the school and students won each year for Excellence in Academics, Curricular and Co-curricular activities, Games and Sports. But what must have given Father the greatest joy and pride was S.F.S bagging the “THE BEST SCHOOL” award in 2005-2006 at the hands of the Education Minister of Maharashtra Shri Vasant Purke after a thorough enquiry and inspection of all aspects of school life, and among all the schools under the Govt. Education Department(Z.P). It was the crowning GLORY IN Fr. Ivan’s penultimate year, THE jewel in his crown. Fr. Ivan always expressed his profound gratitude to all his Bishops, fellow Priests, Ex-Principals and Former Staff members, the present Staff and Students during his 36 years in school especially those few who shared his burden as Principal- the very many friends and benefactors (Ex-students. Parents and Well-wishers), in particular: (1) Late Bishop Sylvester Monteiro who was a very good friend, an ‘older brother’ to him, with his moral support and strength first as Manager from 1983 - 94 and then as Bishop till he was transferred to Aurangabad in 1999. Fr. Ivan was there in Aurangabad for his Installation and again in sorrow for his Funeral. (2) Late Dr. S. Jichkar (1971 batch) who in 1995 - 96 gave him 11.7 lakhs Computer equipment ( from his fund as M.P-Member of Parliament ) including the INTERNET AND PHONE connectivity for Student’s Education. It is a matter of regret that the phone was taken away by the school for other purposes after Father’s retirement. It would sadden the heart of Dr. Jichkar - a tragic loss to students!!! (3) Minister Haji Anees Ahmed (1979 batch) for Link Road Gate, new Toilets on the ground, Computers, Bore-Well etc., and for every Assistance as and when required by the school. (4) Ex-student Ashok Nagarkatti( 1947 batch ) for his extraordinary generosity and love for his Alma Mater and (5) Shri Ghani Khan ,and V Yadav for the electrification of the Roads with Sodium Lamps and armored wiring connections. The Road from Residency to the Cathedral is now illuminated from dusk to dawn- TRULY HISTORICAL! (6) Mr. Padmesh Gupta, C.M.D., Gupta Coal (I) Limited who sponsored generous gifts for our Staff members and all School employees on Teachers Day Celebrations, and substantial Cheques for the Top Students in S.S.C and H.S.C. Examination every year. Now the odds are stacked against Father Ivan. Age and Health more, besides Diocesan factors are not on his side. The years and work have taken their toll on him. But the Hand of the Lord is his strength, the Breath of the Spirit blows over him. And the Prayers of countless students and staff of 36 and more years, relatives and friends, living and dear departed, accompany him as he moves on to “fresh fields and pastures new” in the evening of life. May Good Luck, Good health and God’s Blessings keep him young and dynamic as ever till the final trumpet sounds. May the sun shine, all day long, everything
go right, and nothing wrong. May
flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May God be with you till we meet again! On behalf of Ex-Staff and Students October 18, 2008 (38th Anniversary of his Priesthood)
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