Media Release

Chitradurga, Dec 26: Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, diocese of Shimoga, celebrated Christmas in a grand manner. 

The Christmas celebration was unveiled by hoisting the star on December 10.

Parishioners together with their parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza organised carols from December 11-16. 

Youth of the parish prepared a beautiful crib in front of the church. 

On December 24, the faithful gathered and prayed a rosary. Choir led the Carols. Parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He blessed the crib and kept the baby Jesus in the crib and paid homage.

In his homily, he explained the meaning of incarnation. Jesus, the Son of God became human to save us from our sins, he said adding that the manger is the symbol of simplicity and humility. To attain divinity, we have to be simple and humble, he said.

After the Holy Eucharist, the faithful gathered in front of the church to celebrate Christmas by cutting the Christmas cake. Minister of government of Karnataka and MLA of Hiriyur Constituency D Sudhakar sponsored the cake.

On December 25, in the morning, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Franklin D'Souza and in the evening people from the town visited the church and prayed with lighted candles. Cultural evening was organised by the youth of the parish as part of the Christmas celebration. The faithful presented 20 programmes with the message of Christmas. Parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza was the chief guest and councillor Madala Maria was the guest. They inaugurated the cultural evening by pouring the water to the plant. 

Fr Franklin D’Souza in his inaugural speech wished everyone gathered blessings of Christmas. He said, “Christmas is salvation and every one needs to experience that salvation offered by God freely. The poverty of Jesus reminds us God loves the poor and downtrodden. Christmas is hope amidst a hopeless situation. We need to put trust in Jesus and we will overcome the hurdles in life.”

D Sudhakar, who is currently serving as cabinet minister in government of Karnataka and member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly representing Hiriyur, minister of planning and statistics of Karnataka, visited the church and he celebrated Christmas with the people by cutting the cake. He was welcomed by the parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza.

In his speech he upheld the meaning and importance of Christmas. He said,”Christmas brings joy and peace. We need to defeat violence and terrorism and we pray for the peace which Jesus brought to this world. We need to live as brothers and sisters, understanding each other and strive to propagate peace through our lives.” He was honoured by councillor Madala Maria and Fr Franklin D'Souza garlanded him and presented a Christmas cake on behalf of the parish. 

Cultural programmes continued till night. Stanley Lawrence thanked the guests and all those who gathered. 

Femina and Lissanie compered the programme.