from Jessie Fernandes
for Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (GA)

• Telling the Story of Jesus among other cultures of Karnataka

Bangalore, Nov 14: Faith Story Telling: Basavayya Stany Talwadi of Bangalore shared his happiness about the Kristhotsava programme, the main reason being he could see all the different culture and language people with one mandate i.e., to celebrate ‘Telling the Story of Jesus in Karnataka. All the way there were problems in the dioceses without much progress and peace. Now, with this he feels that Karnataka church will have a new face.

Sr Gabriel of Chikmagalur had a real life story to share in which she mentioned that she was threatened to the extent of chopping her hands and legs for which her reply was that she was chosen by Christ to do this work and she is ready to face any consequences for the sake of Christ, and even if she is pushed out of this, God will send another sister to continue His good work. The local people were astonished with her attitude and strong faith. The effect of this was that the same people narrated this story to the Grama Panchayat and to her surprise there was a celebration to honour and garland her begging her pardon for all the worst things that were done to her, in addition to a donation of one acre of land by them for the orphanage.

Shirtaady William Pinto from Mangalore shared a short story about a sparrow which was lying on the ground with its legs up and when asked by its passer by friend, it replied – “I heard people talking that the sky is going to fall down soon and all of us on the earth are going to die. God has created such a beautiful earth and sky and everything for us to enjoy and I must do my bit of at least try and hold it up as long as I can”. Pinto added if such a small sparrow is so thankful to the Lord, how much we all humans ought to be grateful to Him.

Jyoti Sahi of Bangalore too shared his experiences which gave an insight to the gathering. Fr Gregory D’Souza, OCD was the moderator for the session.

Dialogue in different cultures with theme contextualization was by Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai, Dr Godwin Shiri, Director, CISRS, Bangalore. moderator for day’s session was Fr John Peter, professor at St Peter’s Bangalore.

Kailash Motilal Naik, Krista Bhaktha Movement, Bijapur, who was a ot even a Christian and whose father was a drunkard had another interesting sharing stating that he was saved by Jesus when he was about to lose his eyesight.  Supreeth Shylendra of Bangalore from Jesus Youth Movement & Fr Louis of Anjali Ashram Movement, Mysore were the other two who had some interesting facts of their lives to share with. Fr. Vincent Furtado, OFM Cap from Bangalore was the moderator for the session, where Msgr J B Xavier of Mysore shared Reflective Theological Synthesis. A Souvenir was released in memory of Kristhotsava by Msgr Siluvai Ignaci, director, PMS.

Cultural programmes were well organized by Bangalore and Mysore dioceses taking keen interest, their active participation was commendable.

Closing Eucharistic celebration was by Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore archdiocese.  It was followed by reading of Kristhotsava resolution by Fr S Jayanathan and acknowledgements by Fr Faustine Lobo, convener, Kristhotsava.

At the end the participants earnestly appealed each diocese in Karnataka to organize a Diocesan Mission Congress (DMC) as soon as possible to effectively implement the final statement of Kristhotsava and also to encourage the people to share Jesus experience with local people.