Richard D'Souza

Udupi, Dec 25: Christmas at Milagres Cathedral of Udupi Diocese was celebrated with traditional fervour and devotion at midnight. It was one of the very few churches in Udupi diocese that celebrated the solemn midnight high mass. The church was decorated with colorful lights and another attraction was the beautiful huge crib prepared by ICYM and YCS members.

Carol singing began at 11.30 pm by the famous choir group of the cathedral led by Fr Mahesh D’Souza, Diocesan first ordained priest, followed by solemn high Christmas Eucharistic mass at exactly midnight led by newly established Diocese Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of Cathedral, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Diocesan Catholic Sabha spiritual director, and Fr Nelson Furtado, vocational director of Pilar Fathers.
 
During his homily, the Bishop said that God sent man to the world and God lived with human beings but he failed on earth. “Man should live like a human and should see God. God is love. God loved his fellowmen. People should love others,” the Bishop exhorted the faithful to follow in the path of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
 
Kissing the statue of Baby Jesus was held after the mass. At the end of the mass, the Bishop conveyed his Christmas wishes to all parishioners.
 
After the mass, Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo released ‘Udi Udi’, a music album by a great singer of the Cathedral Prajoth D’Sa. During the release ceremony, Fr Stany B Lobo, Fr Ferdinand, Fr Nelson Furtado, family members of Prajoth D’Sa, and sponsors were present. Fr Mahesh D’Souza compered the release ceremony and gave praiseworthy keynote.
 
The cathedral brimmed with the faithful greeting each other even though it was midnight. The ICYM members organized an auction of a big beautiful cake which was auctioned to Oswald Cornelio for Rs 5,000. The game of Housie Housie was held after the auctioning of the cake. Royden D’Souza conducted the Housie Housie game which was attended by a large number of people.