Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 2: Senior Citizens Lenen Meditation - 2024, organised by Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association Bejai, Commission for Ecuminism in the Diocese of Mangalore, Mangalore Christian Council (MCC), All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights (AKUCFHUR) Western Zone, was held at Bejai Church Hall on Friday, March 1.
The program was inaugurate by the bishop of Mangalore Dr Peter Paul Saldana, along with the bishop of CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese Rt Rev Hemachandra Kumar, the CCBI secretary for Ecumenical Commission Fr Baptist Pais, parish priest of Bejai Fr J B Saldanha, the secretary for MCC and Diocesan Ecumenical Commission Fr Rupesh Madtha, another secretary for MCC Fr Prabhuraj, the secretary for AKUCFHUR Alfred Manohar, Fr Sandeep Theophil, Bejai Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association president Juliet Mascarenhas and secretary Concepta Noronha. The inauguration was done by lighting the lamp. Juliet welcomed the gathering and the esteemed guests with flowers.
The bishops in their brief messages highlighted the significance of spirituality in the lives of senior citizens, and also the need of ecumenical prayer services today. Fr Rocky D'Cunha OFM, the animator at St Ann’s Monastery Bejai and Fr Binu C John, the parish vicar at St Paul’s CSI Church Mangaluru spoke on the significance of Cross in Christian’s life. Fr J B Saldanha and Fr Baptist Pais extended the greetings of the day. Fr Rupesh Madtha and Alfred Manohar introduced the speakers of the day.
Daizy DSouza compeered the programme, Fr Prabhuraj proposed the vote of thanks, and Fr Sandeep Theophil prayed grace before meals.
The senior citizens of Bejai conducted singing, action songs and enactment of skit under the guidance of Fr Suraj Lobo and Dn Leston Lobo SJ.
The seniors from different churches of Catholic and CSI communities were gathered around 300 in number made their day fruitful. The principal of Lourdes Central School Fr Robert D'Souza, Fr Vincent Sequeira, the vice president of Bejai Ashok Pinto were also present. Breakfast and lunch was served to the participants.