from Jessie Rodrigues
for Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SM)

Bangalore, Nov 7: A three-day Kristhotsava, the celebration of Christ, about the story of Jesus, will be organized by the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRCBC) at Good Shepherd Convent Auditorium, here from Thursday November 8 to Saturday November10.

This Congress will also inspire and motivate over 1200 participants from 11 Catholic dioceses of Karnataka, to continue to radiate the love and mercy of God to all the people in the region through Christian educational institutions, hospitals, dispensaries and centres for cancer, leprosy and HIV/AIDS patients.

It will be inaugurated by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. The Catholic Bishops of Karnataka and the representatives of the other Christian denominations and Religions will also participate in the deliberations.

This three-day Kristhotsava is an occasion for the participants to celebrate the person of Christ with prayers, worship, music, sharing, art and culture. An exhibition is also planned for this event to depict the life and mission of Christ.

In view of this, Fr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore convened a press conference on Tuesday November 6 at Archbishop’s House, Miller’s Road, here.

Fr Faustine L Lobo, convener, Kristhotsava delivered welcome address with introduction of the programme. He thanked all the press persons for their efforts taken to give media coverage to this important programme. The entire Catholic community has taken interest in organizing this program, he stated.

Fr S Jayanathan, secretary and spokesperson, KRCBC conducted a PowerPoint presentation briefing the aims and objectives of the event.

In his presentation he mentioned, ‘Human life is unimaginable without stories. Stories tell us who we are and they link us with other people. Through them we explore deeper dimensions including the mystery of our own being. Telling story is sharing one’s experience with God. The message of Christ is made relevant to everyone and that it has to be lived and shared with others through selfless love and service.’

President of KRCBC and Archbishop of Bangalore, Fr Bernard Moras in his keynote address mentioned that telling the story of Jesus to the self is to celebrate the person of Christ, how to share the story of Jesus with our friends, neighbours and people of other faiths around us, thus celebrating the gift of faith that God has given to each one.

Only by being with other people, one can share the experience of Jesus in the context in which one lives. The narration of Christ’s life becomes more vivid and clear when it is shared with truth, justice, peace, joy and love, he added.

Bishop Robert Miranda, bishop of Gulbarga and the chairman of Kristhotsava said ‘Kristhotsava is sharing of our faith experiences with people of other walks of life’.

Fr S Jayanathan, proposed the vote of thanks.