Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 24: An atmosphere of joy and utmost devotion resonated in churches across the diocese as the faithful gathered to partake in the Mass on Christmas Eve here on Sunday December 24.
Celebration was in the air with premises of various churches adorned with sparkling Christmas lights, twinkling stars, Christmas trees and cribs.
St Lawrence Church, Bondel
Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar
Carol singing at churches added to the festive spirit.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza led the Mass at Rosario Cathedral. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, Fr J B Crasta, Fr Rocky Fernandes, Fr Vincent D'Souza, Fr Anil Fernandes, Fr Vincent Dsouza were the concelebrants. Vice-president C J Simon and secretary Elizabeth Roche were present among others. The Eucharistic Mass began after carol singing.
Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, in his homily, called upon the Christians to mark Christmas as birth of Christ in a spirited manner with utmost faith and with real meaning of the feast. "Jesus was born as a simple person though he was son of God. He chose to remain simple all his life. His birth in a small place is a lesson to people. Unless we emulate Jesus in simplicity there is no meaning to Christmas," he said.
Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza, in his Christmas message, said that though we live in modern times with the advent of technology, we should realise that our life does not end here but continues to the next stage of eternal life. So the teachings of Jesus will always remain relevant and necessary.
Bishop's House at Kodialbail too was adorned with cribs and lights.
Our Lady of the Miracles Cathedral, Kallianpur
News & Pics: Richard D'Souza
Udupi, Dec 25: Our Lady of the Miracles Cathedral, Kallianpur, celebrated Christmas Eve with a pomp and gaiety with Eucharistic celebrations concelebrated by Fr Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese along with Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of the Milagres Cathedral, Fr Henry Mascarenhas, chaplain of Ozanum Home for the Aged and diocese estate manager, Fr Herald Mathias, superior of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur, Fr Rolwin Aranha, assistant parish priest, Fr Lancy Mascarenhas, assistant parish priest and principal of Milagres English Schools and Fr Nelson Furtado, vocational director of Pilar Fathers.
Prior to the Mass, carols were sung led by the choir group of the church from 6.30 pm. The Eucharistic celebrations began at 7 pm.
In his homily, the bishop said, “God is coming for salvation of the mankind. Jesus was willing to come to the earth and give life for us. According to Prophet Isaiah,
God is coming to the earth. Jesus brought light and peace to earth and a new world was established.”
“God wants us to live with joy and happiness. The birth of Jesus is the reason for our happiness and joy. God brought peace on earth. Peace is the gift from the Lord.
Peace is a gift for human beings. The relationship between God and peace with us is great and it will lead to peace in our life.”
“Christmas celebration has been commercialized these days. Christmas is being celebrated grandly. We never get Jesus by preparing cribs and stars, by preparing the kuswar or whatever it may be. Jesus will be with us when we love the poorest of the poor. When we see and celebrate Christmas by helping those who need our help, then the meaning of Christmas celebration will prevail,” he said.
At the end of the mass, Fr Stany Lobo thanked the bishop, priests and all faithful present on the occasion of the Christmas celebration. Bishop Gerald also wished all on the occasion of Christmas.
After the mass, under the leadership of ICYM members, auction of a cake was done. Simon Fernandes and Alban of Kallianpur B ward were the highest bidders of the Cake with Rs 32,000. A housie housie game was conducted and prizes were distributed. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of greeting cards and crib making competition.
A beautiful crib was prepared by ICYM near the cathedral premises, depicting the birth of Christ and the joy that prevailed on earth. The church premise was decorated with plenty of glowing stars. Overcrowded faithful wished one another after the mass which depicted festive atmosphere.
Christmas Eve at Other Churches:
- Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Karkala
- St Dominic Church, Ashoknagar
- God the Holy Spirit church, Bajal
- St Lawrence Martyr's Chapel, Permude
- Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
- Our Lady of Health, Harihar
- Sacred Heart Church, Surathkal
- St Sebastian Church, Permannur
- Our Lady of Dolours Shrine Bela, Kasaragod
- St Antony Church, Kulur
- St Joseph the Worker Church, Vamanjoor
- Christ King Church, Kayyar
- Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar
- Rosario Cathedral
- St Vincent Ferrar Church, Valencia
- Immaculate Conception Church, Urwa
- St Joseph Church, Jeppu
- St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai
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