Udupi: ’The goal of all religions is to reach God’ Dr. Gerald Issac Lobo during Christma

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Dendurkatte/Kuntalnagar, 17 Dec 2015: “The goal of all religions is to reach God and just like all rivers join the sea, all faithful of all religions must reach God” said Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo (Bishop of Udupi Diocese) during Sarva-dharma Sauharda Christmas Celebrations organized by Kuntalnagar St Antony’s Parish in association with Sarvadharma Sauharda Samithi Kuntalnagar-Manipura. The event was organized on Wednesday the 16th of Dec 2015 at 6.00pm at Dendurkatte Sri Ganeshothsav Samithi.

 

The special Christmas get together was inaugurated by dignitaries on the dais namely Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo (Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese), Dr Mohan Manoraj – Bishop of CSI Southern Diocese; Janab Moofar Hamid – president of Rehamania Mosque; Sakharam Shetty – president of Sarvajanika Ganeshothsava Samithi Dendoor; Vedavysa Upadhyaya – main priest of Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple; Fr. Denis D’Sa (PRO Udupi Diocese), Fr Clement Mascarenhas – parish priest of St Lawrence Church Moodubelle; Joseph Kundar, Wilfred Mendonca, Samuel Jatthanna, Roop Suguna Jatthanna, Valerian Mathias by pouring water on a new Christmas sapling to promote good environment and highlight importance of the nature in our life.

 

This gesture was appreciated by Esha Vittala Dasa (Swamiji of Kemaru Math).  Speaking on the occasion he said it was very nice thought by Sarvadharma Sauhadra Samithi to initiate this kind of inauguration. He also said when our kids celebrate; it is nice to plant a tree to imprint love of nature on our children. In his speech he stressed upon showing kindness to the poorest of the poor and sighted many examples how God lives in poor people and not in temples or religious structures.

 

 

The event began with a beautiful prayer dance by children of St. Lawrence Church and Fr Denis D’Sa, president of Sarvadharma Sauhardha Samithi Kuntalnagar-Manipura accorded a hearty welcome to all the dignitaries, media persons and general public and thanked them for gathering in such a large numbers.

 

The dignitaries were presented with greeting cards instead of traditional mementos. On the occasion Mohammed Asheel who has excelled and the youngest IAS rank holder who scored 580 marks out of 600 was felicitated with a traditional shawl, garlands and fruit basket by all dignitaries.

 

On the occasion Sakaram Shetty, President Sri Ganeshostav Committee, Janab Mupher Hamid and Sri Vedavyas spoke on the occasion and greeting all people.

 

Loads of entertainment, dances, singing enthralled the audience throughout the program such as Christmas Songs by CSI Manipura and Christmas Carols singing by St. Lawrence Parish Moodubelle led by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Christmas Dance by St. Antony Parishioners, Daff by Kalander Shah Daff committee Manipura and a meaningful and hilarious skit St. Antony Kuntalnagar mesmerized the audience.

 

Joseph Kundar, Convener of the committee, proposed the vote of thanks. A few lucky winners were presented with prizes by Fr. Denis D’Sa and Roshan Sequeira compered the programme.

 

Finally, little children joined on the stage for a wonderful Santa clause dance.