Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 16: Christmas gathering of the Conference of Religious in India (CRI), local unit, Mangaluru, was held at St Aloysius High School Hall, Kodialbail, on December 15.

In his key note address, Fr Pius D’Souza, OCD, episcopal vicar for religious of Mangaluru diocese highlighted the presence and contribution of religious to the diocese of Mangaluru. He further quoted one of the diocesan priests saying that if the religious are removed from our diocese, the whole diocese will be paralysed.

Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the bishop of Mangaluru, was felicitated by the CRI as this being the first time he attended the CRI meeting after taking over the charge of the diocese as bishop. Fr Gerald Furtado introduced the bishop to the gathering. In his message, the bishop thanked the religious for their unique presence and participation in the diocese and went on to say that it is impossible to function the diocese effectively without the helping hand of the religious in various fields. He also invited the religious to join with him to chalk out the pastoral plan of the diocese together with the pastoral planning committee and urged the gathering to propose two names of men religious and two names from among the women religious.

Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel and Sisters of the Queen of Apostles sang the Christmas carols. All gathered took pleasure in wishing and greeting each other by singing Christmas Carols. Chakrapani Nruthya Kala Kendra under the leadership of Suresh Attavar performed the welcome dance to the applause of every one.

Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza, the president of CRI welcomed the gathering. Sr Grace Lobo, proposed the vote of thanks. Sr Lolita BS compered the entire programme. Sr Reema, vice president, Sr Gracy Mathias, secretary and Fr Gerald S J one of the executive members were present on the dais. Around 500 religious priests, brothers and sisters participated in the programme. All enjoyed the Christmas cake and Kuswar.