Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 18: St Francis Xavier Church Bejai in association with the commission for inter-religious dialogue, commission for justice & peace and ICYM Bejai unit organised Christmas Saurardha Koota on December 16 in front of the Bejai market complex.
Fr J B Saldanha, Brahmakumari Vishweshwari, Shameer Jhaan, Fr Robert D’Souza, Fr Suraj Lobo, Fr Leston Lobo, Sr Sevrine Crasta, Ashok Pinto, Avitha Pinto and Mr Godwin Pinto were the guests on the dais.
The programme began with a prayer service led by Godwin Pinto, coordinator for the 21 Commissions. During the prayer service, verses were read from the Holy Quran, Holy Bible and the Bhagavad Gita.
Ashok Pinto, vice president of Bejai PPP welcomed the guests and the gathering.
Speakers for the day were Brahmakumari Vishweshwari, of Urwa, Shameer Jhaan, trustee of Shanthi Publication Trust and Fr J B Saldanha, parish priest of Bejai church, who gave messages on Christmas - A Celebration of Peace.
The children's choir led by the choir master Ivan Mascarenhas sang Kannada Christmas carols.
Students of Lourdes School performed two dances, one for eradicating drug abuse and another over the birth of Jesus Christ.
ICYM & YCS youth under the leadership of Fr Leston Lobo SJ sang the Christmas carols. Avitha Pinto, secretary of Bejai PPP delivered the vote of thanks.
There was a crowd of around 300 catholic and non-Catholic people.
Cake and juice was distributed to all.