Media Release
Udupi, Dec 16: “The Christmas festival heralds peace. It inspires us to be instruments of peace, ambassadors of peace. If the flame of love of Christmas is to shine in our minds, we should be like Christ and be selfless with a spirit of service,” said Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop diocese of Udupi.
He was speaking after inaugurating a Souharda Christmas celebration organized by Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh at Anugraha, pastoral centre on Saturday.
The bishop further said, “Jesus, who was born two thousand years ago, preached that God is love. He showed that God is in our midst. He taught that humility is essential to receive God's love. Selfless love is giving everything without holding anything back. He said that Christmas is a great occasion to tell the story of this selfless love of God.”
Abdul Aziz Udyavara, a member of Udupi District Muslim Union, who was present as the chief guest, said that such programs to inspire harmony feel like irrigation of rainwater in a barren land. Through this, by living together in the society, it is possible to make the society a garden of peace for all races, he said.
Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samithi’s Sunder master, and Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, superior of Udupi diocese, wished well for the programme.
Anil Lobo Fermai, MCC Bank chairman who was received with the Sahakara Ratna award , journalists Sasidhara Mastibailu, Mohammed Sharif, Nazir Polya, Srikanta Hemmadi, and Justin Erol D'Silva, social workers Haji Abdullah Parkala, Aisha Bhanu, Vishu Shetty Ambalpadi, Ishwar Malpe, Mary Shrestha, Clarence D'Souza, Henry Santumayer, local body vice presidents of the community Arun Fernandes, Wilson Rodrigues, Mary Mascarenhas and John Sequeira and Catholic Sabha Mangalore region president Alwyn D’Souza were felicitated.
Catholic Sabha Udupi President Santosh Cornelio presided. Immediate past president Mary D'Souza, president-elect Ronald D'Almeida, former presidents Valerian Fernandes, Walter Cyril Pinto, Alphonse D’Costa, and media committee coordinator Michael Rodriguez were present.
Programme organiser Melvin Aranha welcomed and felicitated Olivia D’Mello, Catholic Sabha Udupi region secretary. Former president Dr Gerald Pinto moderated the programme.