Message of Communal Harmony at Christmas Celebration 2014

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 17 Dec 2014: The message of communal harmony, peace, love and understanding echoed in the Christmas  2014 Celebration held at Mother of Sorrows Church Compound, Udupi on Wednesday, 17 December 2014 at 6 pm organized by Lions Club International, District 317 C in association with Souhardha Samithi and Catholic Sabha, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi.

 

The function was presided over by Ln. K. Suresh Prabhu, pmjf, District Governor, Dist. 317C. The key note address was delivered by  Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Diocese of Udupi and guests of honour were Moulana B.A. Ibrahim SAQAFI, Davanagere and Sri Kudi Vasantha Shetty, National Awardee Teacher, Vishnumurthy High School, Kudi. Other dignitaries  on the dais included Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, Mrs. Suresh Prabhu,  Ln. Shridhar Shenava mjf, First Vice District Governor, Ln. Diwakar Shetty, mjf, Second Vice District Governor, Alphonse D’Costa, member of Souhardha Samithi, Leslie Cornelio, Catholic Sabha Udupi, Ln. Lawrence D’Souza, mjf, Coordinator, Christmas Celebration, Lions Dist. 317C. And Ln. George Samuel who compeered the programme.

 

Following the prayer song by the Choir of Mother of Sorrows Church. The students of St. Mary’s English Medium School, Kannarpady presented the welcome dance.  Ln. Nagesh welcomed the guests and the gathering and Ln. Dr. Vijayendra Vasanth introduced the theme of the function.

 

Following the introduction of Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo by Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, the Bishop along with Ln. Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the programme by switching on the lights of the stars strung from the tower of the church.

 

 

Before starting his key note address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo recalled the tragedy faced by the innocent young students of a school in Peshawar in Pakistan and asked the audience to observe a minutes silence and pray for the eternal rest of the souls of the children massacred by the merciless terrorists.

 

In his key note address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the importance of the Christmas celebration. He said that the Christmas celebration has many parts such as preparation of sweets and distribution among the neighbours indicating the spread of joy and happiness, preparation of stars and crib. Selecting the Crib as  the main theme of his address, the Bishop said that the Crib has many elements such as the family that   included the new born Jesus, Mary and Joseph. There was joy and happiness though the family had poverty.

 

Comparing the family of Jesus with modern families, the Bishop said that the modern families have been facing many problems due to various reasons. He further said that the surroundings where Jesus was born was pure and peaceful. However, in modern times the environment has been facing pollution of all kinds due to the selfish motive of human beings. The shepherds who first saw and worshipped infant Jesus were the simple people and the three wise men  from the east who came to worship Jesus with valuable gifts realized the divinity of Jesus. He emphasized on peace, love and harmony among the people of all religions and extended the greetings of Christmas to all the people of Udupi Diocese.

 

Moulana B. A. Ibrahim in his message said that one can see human beings all around, but there is little humanism. Human beings have become worst than animals in their relation with other human beings. He emphasized on communal harmony and quoted from the teachings of the twelfth century social reformer, Basavanna, and Holy Scriptures of the Christians and Muslims to point out that no where the hatred for other religions has been preached in any of the Holy Scriptures of any religion. He further said that when someone understand himself thoroughly, he understands God.

 

National Best Teacher Awardee, Kudi Vasantha Shetty in his address said that God is one but known in many names in different religions. Though there are apparently different deities in Hinduism, they are the manifestation of the same God.  He stressed on developing a meaningful personality with all right and balanced senses that would be the epitome of God’s creation.

 

In his presidential speech, Ln. K. Suresh Prabhu expressed happiness on being part of the Christmas Celebration 2014 that brought together the representatives of the three main religions-Hindus, Muslim and Christian on the same platform and explored the avenues of communal harmony.

 

Christmas Carols and other entertainment programme followed and the Christmas Celebration 2014 concluded with dinner.