Bishop Gerald Lobo Celebrates Christmas With Media Friends

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 20 Dec 2021: Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo celebrated Christmas along with the journalists and media friends on Monday, 20 December 2021 at 12 noon in Mother of Sorrows Auditorium. Mrs. Violet Femina-Police Officer of the only Women’s Police Station in Udupi was the chief guest. Other dignitaries on the dais  included: B. Manjunath – Udupi District Information and Broadcast Officer, Rajesh Shetty-President of the Udupi District Working Journalists Association, Fr. Chetan Lobo-PRO of Udupi Diocese and Michael Rodrigues-Co-Ordinator of Christian Media of Udupi Diocese.

 

Following the welcome address by Fr. Chetan Lobo, the Christmas get-together was initiated by Bishop Gerald Lobo by cutting the Christmas cake along with the dignitaries on the dais. Thereafter slices of cake were distributed to all the media persons attending the programme.

 

In her message as the chief guest of the programme, Police Officer Mrs. Violet Femina said that when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, the Angels and later the shepherds spread the good news to the people, hence becoming the earliest messengers. The journalists and media persons collect the news in modern times and spread it through print or electronic media. The media persons have a great responsibility of verifying the truth of the incidents or events and giving the correct picture of the same. However, it has been found that certain journalists and media persons present the news based on rumours or hearsay. Many times, such unverified news create problems in the society. She conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all media persons.

 

On this occasion, two journalists were felicitated. Subhaschandra Wagle- Udupi District Chief of Bureau of Kannada Prabha and Udupi District Rajyotsava Prashasthi winner was honoured by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and dignitaries on the dais for his achievements. Another renowned journalist U.S. Shenoy, Editor of Kundapura Prabha and writer of many books was not present. His honour was collected by Rajesh Shetty on behalf of U.S. Shenoy.

 

In his reply to the felicitation, Subhaschandra Wagle said that he had been a part of the Christmas get-together organized by the Udupi Diocese since its inception ten years ago. He appreciated the efforts taken by Bishop Gerald Lobo in promoting communal harmony in the Udupi District.

 

 

B. Manjunath and Rajesh Shetty in their addresses conveyed the Christmas greetings to all and hoped that peace and communal harmony would prevail in the district due to the gatherings like the Christmas get-together of the media persons. 

 

In his presidential address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said that Christmas is such a feast celebrated throughout the world by people irrespective of their communal affiliation, language or culture. Christmas conveys the message of peace and love. Christmas represents the incarnation of God as human being. Jesus, the Son of God was born in poverty to a simple woman in a manger surrounded by cattle and sheep. As He grew up, Jesus had to face rejection and persecution. Right from Bethlehem to Golgotha, it was a journey through which Jesus went on doing well and spreading good news of salvation, but he had to face ridicule and humiliation. In spite of all this, Christmas is a feast which brings joy and happiness to all.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo appreciated the contribution of media persons to the Udupi Diocese through their coverage of various events organized by the diocese.

 

Quite a number of media persons had participated in the Christmas get-together.

 

Fr. Charles Menezes-Parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Dean of Udupi Deaner, Fr. Vincent Crasta-Secretary of SESU, Fr. Harold Pereira and Fr. Vincent Martis and Sr. Veera were present during the programme.

 

Fr. Royson Fernandes-Editor of ‘Uzwwad’ compeered the programme and Michael Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks.

 

As a token of gratitude, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo distributed boxes of cakes to all the journalists and media persons.

 

The Christmas get-together of the media persons concluded with lunch.