Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 22: To spread love and peace among different religions, St Vincent Ferrer Church Valencia, Hebich Church Gorigudda and Christmas Souharda Committee Gorigudda on December 21 organised Christmas Sourharda near UBMC School Gorigudda here.
The guests for the occasion were Dr Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese; Swami Ekagamyanandaji of Ramkrishna math and head of Ramkrishna Mission Mangaluru; Mohammed Kunhi, manager of Shanthi Prakashana Bunder Mangaluru.
Hebich Church head, Goldin Bangera welcomed the gathering with the words, “Christmas is the right time to spread joy, peace and harmony."
The programme was inaugurated by cutting the cake by all the dignitaries on the dias.
Mohammed Kunhi addressing the gathering said, “All are equal in this country, we need to live together and should spread love and peace. All the people should be treated equally and hatred should not be there in society. Only if we live together we can spread smiles. He also appreciated the organisers for organising the event.”
Swami Ekagamyanandaji speaking on the occasion said, “This is a special day in my life after coming to Mangaluru. I am getting a chance to participate in Christmas celebration with different religions for the first time." He stressed on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on religion and also Ramkrishna mission which is promoting a clean Mangaluru. He also congratulated and thanked Dr Fr Peter Paul for taking the initiative in Green Mangaluru and extended his Full support for the same.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul while conveying his message said, "Everyone should work on building the society with peace, love and harmony. All should fill their minds with moral values." He stressed on the importance of living together as one and told everyone to spread love and maintain peace at all times. He also wished everyone a Merry Christmas in advance.
Santa Claus made a thrilling entry and entertained the crowd. Youth of Hebich church entertained the crowd with some Christmas carols while the kids danced to the carols. People from Valencia church performed a skit on the birth of Jesus and sang Christmas carols.
Bishop Dr Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, Swami Ekagamyanandji, Mohammed Kunhi, members of Christmas Souharda Fr James D’Souza parish priest Valencia, Fr Joswin D’Souza Asst PP Valencia parish, Fr Arun Lobo resident priest Valencia, Anil Lobo vice-president parish council Valencia, Lizzie Pinto secretary parish council Valenica, Goldin Bangera head of Hebich Church, Abbas, Sunil Frank and Yashvanth Rao were present.
Around 700 people from different religions participated in the programme. Dinner was served to all the people.
Fr James D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the whole programme.