Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 3: As the season of advent a time for the Christians to prepare for the great feast of Christmas began the St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu organized ‘Christa Namana’ a programme comprising of Christmas carols and Kannada tableau depicting the scenes of birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
The programme was inaugurated at St Anthony’s Ashram by Bhaskar Moily, mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation by letting off the pigeons the symbol of peace into the air. In his message, he said that Christmas is a feast which is celebrated by all and this celebration brings people together. May the celebration of Christmas promote peace and harmony in the society, he said.
S K Sharif, circle inspector flagged off the vehicles carrying the tableau. In his message he wished that the joy of Christmas may be spread through the Carol singing and tableau and make people happy.
Mohammed, deputy mayor, Jacintha Alfred, former mayor, Ashraf, former mayor, Namitha D Rao, deputy mayor, Rajendra, sub-inspector of Pandeshwar police station, Majula, sub-inspector, traffic were present on the occasion and wished success for the programme.
The programme was held on December 1 at Deralakatte junction and Thokkottu bus stand stand and on December 2 at Panambur beach and near Kadri Park.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus of Mangaluru addressed the gathering near Kadri Park. In his message, he said that Jesus Christ the Son of God became a human being and shared his divinity with all of us. Through this great act of sharing Jesus has shown us that when we share we help to build a harmonious society and that leads to true happiness. He invited the assembled people to imitate Jesus in sharing the resources with the less fortunate. And he said that is the true spirit of Christmas and true celebration of Christmas.
Fifty artistes participated in the carol singing and tableau under the leadership of Vincent Fernandes of ‘Mogachi Lahra’ and Melwyn Dias of Panir. Vincent D’Souza from Kokkada was the Santa Claus who went around distributing sweets and whispering the message of Christmas. The joy of Christmas was also shared by distributing cake to all.
FrOnil D’Souza, director of Ashram, Fr Thrishan D’Souza, assistant director, Fr Denis Suares, parish priest of Panir Church, Fr Vincent Sylvester Lobo, assitant administrator of Father Muller Homeopathy Medical College, and Fr Elias D’Souza of Nithyadar Nagar Church were present. Large number of sisters and thousands of people viewed the programme. Lavita Menezes compered the programme.