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Catholic Board of Education Honors Outgoing Secretary Rev. Fr Antony Michael Shera

MANGALURU, JUNE 11: The Catholic Board of Education (CBE) Diocese of Mangalore hosted a felicitation and farewell program for Rev. Fr Antony Michael Shera, who served as Secretary from 2018 to 2024. The event took place on June 11, 2024, at Shanthi Kiran Hall, Bajjodi, Mangalore.

The ceremony was presided over by Very Rev. Msgr Maxim L. Noronha, Vicar General of the Diocese and Vice President of CBE. Distinguished guests included Rev. Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado, the current Secretary of CBE, Rev. Fr Santhosh Dsouza, Director of Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre Bajjodi, Rev. Msgr Lesly Shenoy, and Rev. Fr Vincent Robert Crasta, Education Secretary (SESU) of Udupi Diocese.

The event was attended by CBE Governing Board Members, correspondents, heads of institutions, teachers from CBE-governed schools and colleges, staff members, priests, religious sisters, and secretaries of diocesan commissions.

Rev. Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena College Puttur, delivered words of felicitation for Fr Shera, while Mr Aloysius Dsouza, Headmaster of St Aloysius English Medium School, Urwa, Mangalore, read the scroll of honor.

Fr Shera was honored with a shawl, flower garland, peta, memento, and fruits by the dignitaries and governing members.

In his response, Fr Shera expressed his gratitude, saying, "Whatever I have done is by the grace of God and the support of all my collaborators. The journey of CBE during the post-COVID times and the advent of the new education policy wasn’t easy." He thanked everyone who had been part of his journey and wished his successor, Rev. Dr Praveen Leo Lasrado, well.

One of the significant achievements during Fr Shera’s tenure was the launch of the ERP online system to track the progress and documentation of all schools. This initiative marked a significant step in the modernization of CBE’s educational management. The ERP app, previously available only online, was officially released by Msgr Maxim Noronha.

In his presidential address, Msgr. Noronha praised the contributions of Fr. Shera, stating, "CBE is like a banyan tree, grown huge, imparting quality education to thousands of students for long years in South Canara and Udupi." He commended Fr Shera’s administrative leadership, visionary thoughts and dedicated service, wishing him well on behalf of the diocesan bishop and the governing body members.

Rev. Fr Leo Lasrado, Secretary of CBE, welcomed the gathering. The programme featured a prayer song by the children of St Rita School Cascia, Jeppu and a felicitation song by Lourdes Central School, Bejai.

Dr. Rajan V. N, CBE governing board member, proposed the vote of thanks, and Mr Roshan Santhumayor,  governing board member and Vice Principal of Padua College, served as the master of ceremonies.