Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 23: 'God became man and dwelt among us'. To share the message love, peace and joy of Christmas with non-Christian brethren a Sauhardya Koota was organised at Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi, on Sunday December 22 morning. The function was presided over by Fr Dominic Vas, parish priest and the guests of honour were: Keshava Maroli, corporator; Naveen D’Souza, corporator; James Praveen, corporator; Dharmayya, retired deputy police commissioner; Dinesh Kumar, retired ASI and Bhuganga, retired ASI.

The programme began with a prayer song by the parish catechism children. Irene Pinto welcomed the gathering. Then all the guests of honor lighted the lamp which was followed by a beautiful dance performed by the parish children. Then Keshava Maroli, the local Corporator spoke and said that Christmas is a feast of love, joy and harmony which should bring all the people irrespective of caste, creed and religious together. He wished everyone the greetings of Christmas. The altar servers enacted beautifully the birth, ministry, the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Fr Dominic Vas, parish priest, gave a beautiful Christmas message. He quoted the Sloka from Bhagavad Gita and compared the birth of Christ with Bhagvan Krishna. "The central message of Christmas is 'God loved mankind so much that he gave his only son. And God (Christ) became man and dwelt among us. He brought us Peace, joy and love'. So all of us should not built walls in our interpersonal relationships, but we have to build bridges as all of us are God’s children and same God dwells in each one of us," he said. 

Sri Prakash Saldanha, PPC vice president, proposed the vote of thanks. Rikita Cutinha compered the programme. Many non-Christians brethren participated in the programme, and Christmas cakes were distributed to all of them bringing cheers and joy of Christmas.