The 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi was commemorated at Christ the King Mission Church, Chikodi, on 2 October 2026. Most Rev. Dr. Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belgaum, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
Bishop Derek Fernandes was warmly welcomed with a bouquet of flowers by Rev. Fr. Vincent D’Souza, Superior of Christalaya, together with the priests and parishioners. Trumpet fanfares and rhythmic band music accompanied his arrival, while flower petals were showered along the path to the Christalaya Friary.
The Bishop led the novena to St. Francis of Assisi. This was followed by a grand procession, during which the saint’s statue was carried to a side altar in the church.
Before the Eucharistic celebration, students of St. Francis of Assisi School presented a dramatization of the saint’s life, followed by a dance on the Prayer for Peace and the Canticle of Brother Sun. Their moving and inspiring performance was warmly appreciated by the faithful and set a fitting tone for the celebration.
The celestial voices of the choir, the angelic liturgy, and the sacred banquet of divine grace brought a sense of solemnity and joy to the celebration. In his inspiring homily, the Bishop encouraged everyone to love and care for nature, renew the Church, live in peace, and walk together in synodality.
At the conclusion of the Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Vincent D’Souza felicitated the Bishop in recognition of his devoted service to the Diocese of Belgaum and his timely support for the Chikodi mission. He also welcomed and thanked the priests and sisters who had come from the Chikodi Deanery and other places, as well as the school and social-work staff, students, and faithful who had contributed to making the celebration majestic and meaningful. The Bishop also honoured the school’s national-winning football and hockey teams.
The celebration concluded with a delicious meal shared by all.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI: A MAN OF PEACE AND A MAN FOR ALL TIMES
The 800th Death Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder and patron of our school, was celebrated with great pomp and grandeur on 1 October 2026 in the school premises.
The celebration began with a solemn and magnificent procession. The statue of St. Francis of Assisi was carried in an open vehicle amidst the melodious sounds of trumpets, the school band, beautifully decorated umbrellas, lighted candles, and flower girls, with the thurifer leading the procession. The statue was then brought to the beautifully decorated stage at the entrance of the school.
The Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. Patrick Dias, reverently carried the statue of our beloved founder after it was brought down from the vehicle. He placed it at the designated place and paid homage to St. Francis by incensing the statue.
The celebration was enriched by a series of special performances depicting the life and mission of St. Francis of Assisi. The students presented a touching skit on his life and conversion, including the story of the conversion of the three robbers, along with graceful dances and vibrant performances inspired by Franciscan themes. Each presentation beautifully portrayed the values of simplicity, humility, compassion, peace, and love for God’s creation.
The performances captivated the hearts of the students and inspired them to follow the footsteps of St. Francis by becoming instruments of peace and protectors of creation. The motivating words of the Chief Guest, together with the meaningful action songs, deeply touched the hearts of the children and helped them appreciate the greatness and enduring legacy of their founder.
Inspired by the life of St. Francis, the students renewed their commitment to work for peace, care for creation, and spread goodness wherever they go. Each student was encouraged to carry the Franciscan spirit into the world and become a positive force for humanity and creation.
The celebration also provided an opportunity to honour the remarkable achievements of our students. The National-level winners in Football and Hockey were felicitated, and prizes were distributed to the winners of various co-curricular activities in recognition of their talent, dedication, and hard work.
The celebration concluded with a deeply moving tribute. The entire Assisi family came together to pay homage to their beloved founder by offering flowers before the statue of St. Francis. It was a fitting expression of gratitude, love, and reverence for the saint whose life continues to inspire generations.
As we commemorate 800 years of the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, may his spirit of peace, humility, compassion, and love for creation continue to guide every Assisian.
May St. Francis of Assisi bless us abundantly and inspire us to protect, preserve, and cherish God’s beautiful creation.
St. Francis of Assisi School conducted a Clay Modelling Competition for the pre-primary students on 17 September on the school’s beautiful green lawn. The activity provided our little ones with a joyful and engaging learning experience.
The students enthusiastically explored their creativity and imagination by moulding colourful clay into various shapes and objects. The activity helped them develop their fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, concentration, and creativity. Working together in the open and refreshing surroundings of the lawn made the experience even more enjoyable.
The children participated with great excitement and displayed wonderful imagination in their creations. It was a delightful and memorable activity that beautifully combined learning, creativity, and fun.
Hockey: Karnataka Wins Silver Medal at the National Level
St. Francis of Assisi School participated in the state-level hockey tournament held in Gonikoppa, Kodagu, and conducted by CISCE Sports and Games. Master Siddharth Karale of our school was selected as a midfielder for the Karnataka and Goa team to compete in the Under-14 National Hockey Tournament.
The national tournament was held at the K. M. Kariyappa Hockey Stadium, Bengaluru, from 19 to 21 September 2026. The Karnataka team displayed outstanding skill and teamwork and qualified for the final. The final match between Karnataka and Punjab was closely contested, and the winner was decided by a penalty shootout.
Karnataka emerged as the runners-up and won the silver medal. We congratulate the Karnataka team and Master Siddharth Karale on their dedication, hard work, and remarkable achievement.
St. Francis of Assisi School Parliament organised a wonderful and meaningful Teachers’ Day programme to honour the dedicated teachers who shape and inspire young minds.
The celebrations began with a warm and vibrant welcome as the teachers were escorted to the beautifully decorated stage to the beats of the school band. The programme featured a colourful blend of traditional attire, graceful dances, heartfelt gifts, and aarti, creating a truly memorable atmosphere.
The students captivated the teachers with a variety of dances, entertaining skits, and fun-filled performances. Through their creativity and enthusiasm, they expressed their love, gratitude, and appreciation for their beloved teachers.
In the afternoon, a delicious lunch was served, followed by a series of fun-filled games exclusively for the teachers. Their laughter, enthusiasm, and cheerful participation made the celebrations even more special.
The students thoroughly enjoyed taking on the role of teachers on the playground. Their enthusiastic encouragement, expressed through claps, cheers, and joyful shouts, filled the air as the teachers participated in various events. The excitement and energy of the students added a special charm to the celebrations.
The students’ loving gestures and heartfelt expressions of gratitude created precious memories that will remain etched in the hearts of the teachers. It was truly a day filled with joy, laughter, appreciation, and unforgettable moments—a Teachers’ Day celebration to cherish forever.
We are proud and delighted to announce that five talented students of St Francis of Assisi School, Chikodi, have been selected from the CISCE Karnataka and Goa Region to represent their region at the National Level in different sports.
Master Aman Nadaf has been selected to represent the school in Taekwondo – Under-17 Boys’ Category. The National-level competition will be held at International School, Hyderabad, from 5 to 8 October 2026.
Master Siddharth Karale has been selected for the Under-14 Boys’ Hockey Team. The National-level competition will be held at Vismaya Academy, Bengaluru, from 19 to 21 September 2026.
In Under-14 Girls’ Football, Miss Aarushi Chougala, Miss Bhagyashree Sukhasare, and Miss Janani Mohite have been selected to represent the team at the National Level. The competition will be held at St Jude’s School, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, from 24 to 26 September 2026.
We are immensely proud of our five Assisians for this remarkable achievement. We congratulate them on their selection and wish them every success as they represent our school at the National Level. May they play with confidence, determination, and true Assisian spirit!
Go, Assisians! Make us proud!