St. Francis School Amritsar 4.53

St.Francis School ,31 Cantonment ,Amritsar is the first and poineer institution began by the Diocese of Jallandhar. The partition of India necessitated the formation of seperate ecclesiastical entity in the Indian side of the Lahore Diocese. Thus this area was demarcated and promulgated by the Holy See as an Apostolic Prefecture in the year 1952 and Rt. Rev. Msgr. Alban Swabrick ofm. Cap was appointed as the apostolic prefect of the new province. After the erection of the new prefecture Rev. Fr. Finbar Ofm. Cap.was appointed as the new parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi parish Amritsar.

In 1953, under the able guidance of Msgr. Alban Swabrick, Rev. Fr. Finbar established St. Francis School to take care of the educational needs of the Anglo- Indians settled in Amritsar and later on opened to all people of Amritsar. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate with the assistance of Inter -State for Anglo- Indian Education, established the council for the Indian School Certificate Examination in 1958 and the school got affiliated to the council in the same year.

The certificate issued by the council is recognized by all the Education Boards in the Country and by most of the universities Overseas. St. Francis School is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi ,vide Reg. No. PU 002. After eight years of dedicated service to the school Fr. Finbar returned to England in 1961.

In the year 1960 Fr. Timothy Dowling Ofm. Cap. took over the responsibilities of the school. Under his efficient leadership the school grew up to its zenith of glory and became much sought after seat of education in the whole area. In the year 1973 Delhi Education Act was passed and the Government of India accorded the recognition to the council as a separate body conducting public examinations. The first batch of students appeared for the Senior Cambridge University in 1962 achieved a hundred percent result, and soon the school became the pride of the city. Students from the other countries also started joining St. Francis School. All round development of the students was stressed upon and oriented them to choose their field of proficiency. The school could produce many genius and versatile personalities like former Indian cricket captain Mr.Bishen Singh Bedi,famous Bolly wood star Mr. Vijay Arora , fighter pilot like Mr. Roy Hotlier and business tycoons,Mr. Sanjay Galhotra ( M. K. Hotel Amritsar.) etc. The school has been rendering service to the nation and the whole world in the field of education for last more than 50 years.

In the year 1982 Fr. Timothy was called back to England by his Provincial for a new assignment after his glorious and selfless service to the school for 22 long years. His vision and hard work has helped the school to remain in the limelight till today in the field of educational and sports excellence.In the year 1982 Fr. Jose Puthenpura took the mantle of St. Francis School and served the school till 1993. and Fr. Joseph K. V. was appointed as the principal and served the institution till 1996. After Fr. Joseph K.V.left for his higher studies to America Fr. Jose Thekkencherikkunnel took charge as the principal of St. Francis School. In the year 2002 Fr. Jose T. went to Rome for his higher studies and Rev. Sr. Jossy became the first women Principal of St. Francis School. In the same year Rev. Fr. John Mankuzhichalil took over as the Director of the school. Being a visionary and a keen educationist under his able guidance the school adopted new and modern techniques of education. In the year 2006 Sr. Jossy was transferred to Sahnewal and Sr. Prabha took charge as the Principal of the school under whose guidance the school is progressing now.

Rt. Rev.Dr. Bishop Symphorian Keeprath was an efficient administrator and an Apostle of education in the land of Punjab. He patronized the school for over 35 years with his farsighted and able guidance. In the year 2007 he retired and on April 15th 2007 Rt. Rev. Bishop Anil Jose Thomas Couto took charge as the Bishop of the Diocese of Jalandhar under whose patronage the school is sure to achieve new heights.

Father Finbar was born on 29th November 1908 in Birkenhead, in the north – west of England and had his primary education there itself. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 1928. After doing Philosophy and theology he was sent to Oxford University for further study.

Keeping in view his strong desire to work in India he was sent to Allahabad and was ordained a priest in 1938. He started working with British Friars working for the Delhi – Shimla Diocese. In 1952 the British Friars were transferred to Jallandhar and Monsignor Alban Swarbrick . Fr. Finbar became Pro- Prefect and parish priest of St. Francis Church Amritsar.

Here he busied himself imparting education to the poor and the needy by setting up an educational institution named St. Francis School after the name of St. Francis of Assisi.