M’lore: All Denominations of Christian Join Together For Ecumenical Christmas 2012
By Mahesh D’Souza
Pics by Vijay Lobo
Bellevision Media Network
Mangalore, 12 Dec 2012: Different Christian denominations came together to celebrate Christmas under one banner ‘Sauhardha Christmas -2012’ at Milagres Hall Complex, here on Tuesday.
The members of various institutions and communities of different faith entertained the audience with the Christmas message.
Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore expressed his appreciation of this joint celebration of Christmas of re-living the message of peace in a secular world. He desired that Christ be born again in everyone’s heart. All can come to Jesus as Jesus came for all, he added.
Bishop Dr John S. Sadananda of CSI-Karnataka Southern diocese, expressed happiness about this celebration of re-living Jesus’ story as it helps to re-actualise Christ event in everyone’s life. He pointed out that Christmas is not a feast of passivity but an event filled with activity. The celebration of Christmas should bring joy not only to us but also to Jesus, he added.
The Mangalore Christian Council coordinated the programme.
Fr Sandeep Theophil welcomed the gathering. Fr J B Saldanha proposed vote of thanks.
Various ecumenical bodies such as Mangalore Christian Council, Mangalore diocesan Ecumenical Commission, and Karnataka Christian Educational Society, Chair in Christianity, Karnataka Mission NetWork and All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights-Western Zone worked together for the success of this programme.