Mangalore: Bishop Greets on Christmas, Asks People to Celebrate with Needy
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Dec 21: Conveying his Christmas greetings, Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza on Friday December 21 requested the people to celebrate Christmas this year with the deprived, poor and needy people.
"Christmas celebration denotes peace, love and service. That was the blessing and message of Jesus Christ. Along with the external symbols like crib, star, Christmas tree and kuswar, distributing happiness in the neighbourhood is the message of Christmas," he said.
He also said that on Friday, he visited the jail inmates and interacted with them for an hour.
Stating that all are children of god, he said, "We will have to put in efforts to give respect to every person, especially the underprivileged poor, children, and shelterless people. With this, an environment will be created wherein people will feel they are equal," he said.
While celebrating Christmas and New Year the bishop requested the Christians and others to join hands with the poor.
As a first step towards helping the needy and as a Christmas gift, he said that Rs 10 lac will be provided to 50 financially poor students for their higher education, and Rs 5 lac will be provided to a thousand needy people for their clothing.
Further, the construction of 165 homes built in commemoration of 125th year of Mangalore diocese is nearing completion, and will be ready at the earliest, he said.
He said that 125 houses have already been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries. "Another project is in the anvil wherein 28 houses will be built for the poor, at the cost of Rs 3.60 lac each. The foundation stone for the project will be laid on August 15, 2013 at Talapady," he said, adding that 120 applications have already been received, and the most deserving will be given the houses after scrutinizing the applications.
Among those present were Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor of Mangalore diocese, Fr WIlliam Menezes, PRO, Elias Fernandes, Raymond D'Cunha, Fr Onil D'Souza and others.