Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Dec 23: Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo on Wednesday December 23 wished all a Merry Christmas and conveyed a messsage of peace and love to all.
In his message during Christmas celebration with media persons of Udupi, Bishop Gerald Lobo said, "that Christmas has left a permanent mark in history. It is neither confined to a particular place nor to a period. It has been happening in every house and every mind, every day. That is why the occasion is so unique. The feast that is being celebrated all over the world shows the depth of God’s love to humanity. The feast also sends a message of peace. This is an occasion chosen by the Almighty to enable mankind which has gone away from him to unite with him. Christmas marks the arrival of Jesus to the world.
"Several activities combined with the celebrations of Christmas give special fervour to the feast. Special lights, candles, stars, coloured lights shining on Christmas trees, show that God has brought light and there is no room for darkness. It shows that Jesus is the messiah that drives away the darkness of illiteracy, sin and exploitation.
"Jesus is called the King of peace in the Bible. When Jesus was born in a small manger in a small town of Bethlehem, an angel brought the message of his birth to the shepherds who were looking after their sheep in the fields. The message was ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to the people on earth’. Jesus was born to show that God wants peace, love and tranquillity in mankind.
"Christmas is also a festival of gifts. The message of Christmas is unity. Christmas proclaims that Jesus is the icon of peace, love, cooperation and harmony. He was born for all the categories of people. When people rejoice, let us pray for people who are suffering due to different type of exploitation, fear, suffering, violence, riots, dissatisfaction etc.
"We should strive towards planting the seeds of love, brotherhood and unity and thereby promote peace and harmony in the world. Peace should exist in our homes and society. This is the best gift we can give to others on Christmas.
"Christmas is a festival that brings us closer to God, fills our houses with joy and replaces hate and greed in our homes with love, peace and compassion.
"We are blessed to celebrate 2016 as the Year of Mercy. God's mercy is manifested through Lord Jesus. Compassion and love are faces of the same coin. God is merciful to all, irrespective of power and position. During this Year of Mercy, let us rebuild old ties and heal all wounds.
"God's love and mercy are limitless. His eternal love and mercy beckon us with open arms. When the world is facing a turbulent time, we should imbibe in us Christ's love and God's mercy. Let us become the carriers of peace. Let the light of love fill all homes and may every individual imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and service like Jesus Christ. Let us be selfless and learn the language of love and teach the same to others too. I wish happy Christmas to all and pray that Infant Jesus lights up your homes," the bishop blessed.
Mangaluru: Bishop Dr Aloysius celebrates Christmas with media persons
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Dec 23: Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza celebrated Christmas with media persons of the city by cutting the Christmas cake at his residence here on Wednesday December 23.
Conveying his Christmas wishes, he said, "Lord Jesus came to the world to spread the message of love and peace. In this season of Christmas we find cribs, Santa Claus and stars hung everywhere. These are the symbols of love and joy. I call upon all the people to do engage in acts of mercy and show the merciful face of God to others, as said by Pope Francis on December 8, 2015 while proclaiming the year of mercy-2016.
"We need to be like springs among people. Caring for the suffering people and being part of good deeds is the message of Christmas," he added.
"I wish that the joy of the feast may reach all people, the old and the young, poor and the weak, and there may be peace and prosperity everywhere in our nation," the bishop said.
He also informed that the diocese of Mangaluru would construct 25 houses for the Chennai flood victims for which people from 116 churches of the diocese have donated generously.
He also announced that there would be facility set up to provide drinking water at the entry gate of the Bishop's House for people and all creatures.
PRO of the diocese William Menezes welcomed the gathering while secretary of the diocesan pastoral council M P Noronha rendered the vote of thanks.
Raymond D'Cunha compered the programme.
Vicar general of the Mangaluru diocese Msgr Dennis Prabhu, chancellor Fr Henry Sequeira, Marcel Monteiro were among the present.