News & Pics: Edgar Cardoza
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi
Udupi, May 16: On the occasion of Pentecost, ‘Divya Vani’ (Word of God), a new devotional TV program was launched by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, Diocese of Udupi, on Sunday May 15 at the Bishop’s residence, Udupi.
After launching the program, Bishop said, “Our Lord Jesus, in his last words before ascending to the eternity, ordered his disciples to spread the Word of God in the entire world. It was on this day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon Mother Mary and the disciples and filled their shattered spirits with divine grace. After that there was a vast difference in their lives. The ones, who were hiding, came out and started evangelizing the truth that Jesus was risen from the dead and is sitting next to the God. Since then we, the priests have been following the orders of Jesus Christ.”
“St John Paul II once addressed an assembly of priests about the two chief works of a priest. Firstly to evangelize the Word of God; and secondly to educate and nourish the people with the Word and nothing else. Adding to it, he said the word could easily be brought to the people by using the modern media Television.”
“Big J founder director Prashanth Jathanna has been asking me and many priests of Udupi diocese to breakdown the word to the people on their channel especially during the Lenten season. He was always ready to help us; hence we have come up with this small venture as a small token of giving thanks to his channel.”
Prashanth Jathanna spoke about his difficulties while beginning of the channel and how by God’s lead, he has been successful in running the media. He also thanked Bishop and the diocese of Udupi for coordinating with the channel. “Being aired in the major cities of Karnataka and Mumbai, Big J will soon be entering into Gujarat and Rajasthan to spread the Word to Christians in near future,” he announced.
Prashanth Jathanna and Vinod Gangolli were felicitated by the Bishop for their services in the visual media.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, director, media & communication commission, welcomed while Fr Chetan Lobo compered and proposed the vote of thanks.
Fr Lawrence D’souza, secretary, Catholic Education Society, Udupi, Fr Royson Fernandes, assistant parish priest, Leslie Aroza, director, Jivith, Alphonse Alva, Secretary, Pastoral Council, Udupi, were present on this occasion.
‘Divya Vani’ is to be aired on Big J Channel on every Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7 pm. Vinod Gangolli, who has worked as a director on many documentaries including the biblical stories would be directing this program. The program will highlight more of bringing the word in the simplest form.