Udupi: Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo Concelebrates Christmas Mass at Milagres Cathedral

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 24 Dec 2020: In spite of the apprehension about the Covid 19 pandemic, the Christian community of the Udupi Diocese celebrated Christmas on Thursday night with restraint and  simplicity but with full of devotion and joy.

 

Keeping in mind the Covid 19 protocol imposed by the government agencies, Christians in all churches of the diocese conducted special prayers, Carol singing and Holy mass.

 

The special celebration of Christmas was conducted by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo at the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur and delivered the Christmas message. The Rector of the Cathedral Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Canute Noronha and guest priests concelebrated the festal mass.

 

In his homily, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that in spite of the differences in the celebration of Christmas throughout the world, the Christmas message is the same to all which conveys the love of God, peace and harmony.  The birth of Christ propagates peace, love, cooperation and harmony. The Covid 19 pandemic has been spreading fear, exploitation, sorrow, violence, riots and inequality throughout the world. Under these circumstances the message of Christmas with peace and love has emerged as the rays of hope of the early rising  sun.

 

Speaking further the Bishop said that Covid 19 which has been ravaging the world since the last nine months has taught a number of lessons to humankind. All human beings belong to the same family and everyone is related to one another as brothers and sisters. It is important for all human beings to join together and cooperate in wiping out the scourge of the deadly disease.

 

 

All the churches of the Udupi Diocese have been beautified with colourful lights and attractive stars. Due to the restrictions by the administration, the churches admitted only limited number of devotees with masking and proper distancing. Direct telecast of the masses were arranged for the benefit of those who could not attend the festal mass.

 

During the festal evening masses on Thursday night the statues of baby Jesus were placed in the beautifully decorated cribs with prayers and hymns. With lighted candles and floral offerings, the birth of Jesus Christ was proclaimed and celebrated.

 

Parish priests of the prominent churches such as Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi,  Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro of the Holy Rosary Church, Kundapura and Rev. Fr. George D’Souza of St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur-Karkala celebrated festal masses in their respective churches.

 

As per the directives of the government social distancing was maintained in all churches following thermal checking and sanitization.

 

Due to the announcement of curfew throughout the state, festal masses in all churches were completed before 10 pm. Moreover, other cultural programmes and Santa Claus associated with Christmas celebration were cancelled. Besides these restraints people avoided shaking hands as the sign of conveying Christmas greetings.