Mangaluru: St Lawrence Church & Shrine Bondel celebrates ’Bandhutva Christmas’

By Meena Serrao Barboza
Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 18 Dec 2023: St Lawrence Church and Shrine Bondel celebrated "Bandhutva Christmas" at Benaka Sabha Bhavan, Padavinangady on Sunday, December 17. The event was graced by Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, the parish priest of St Lawrence Church Bondel, who joined as the president, along with Br Ranjan Bellarpady, coordinator of Youth Education and Sustainability Programmes at Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru. A K Kukkila, editor of Sanmarga magazine and news channel, and Aloysius D’Souza, headmaster of St Aloysius, Urwa, joined the event as chief guests. Sangeetha Nayak, corporator of Pachanady ward, Mangaluru, and Jayanand Anchan, president of Seva Samiti, Pachanady, were present as guests of honor.

 

The celebration featured dance and cultural performances by students from St Lawrence School, MGC School, and Mount Carmel School. The event also included lucky draws where 10 winners received cakes, and three winners were awarded gold coins.

 

Fr Andrew D’Souza emphasized the significance of the program, stating, "This is a very important program. We are all equal, brothers and sisters, and this feeling should rise in each and every one of us." He added, "Nobody has seen God, but when we love each other, we can experience God. We don’t need to find God outside; God is inside us. All mosques, temples, and churches should become places to bond with God, and we must love creation and the creator. This is what Jesus said: that we should love our friends and our enemies, and this will make us true children of God."

 

 

Ranjan Bellarpady wished everyone a happy Christmas and stressed the importance of unity. He said, "The power of unity is very essential. Just as all streams join at the ocean, it is essential that we have a common goal, which is ’Loving India.’ We must understand and help people regardless of caste or religion."

 

A K Kukkila applauded the concept of "Bandutva Christmas" and raised awareness about the increasing number of suicides, emphasizing the need for programs that promote unity and compassion.

 

Aloysius D’Souza highlighted the importance of sharing happiness and loving one another, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ. He emphasized the need for peace in the world and commended programs like "Bandutva Christmas" for guiding people in the right direction.

 

Other dignitaries present at the event included John Andrew D’Silva, vice president of the parish council, Bondel Church; Fr Lancy D’Souza, assistant parish priest, St Lawrence Church, Bondel; Fr Peter Gonsalves, principal, St Lawrence School, Bondel; Colin Miranda, secretary, Cultural Committee, Bondel Church; Dr. Preethi Keerthi D’Souza, convener, Cultural Committee, Bondel Church; and Santhosh Misquith, secretary, Parish Council, Bondel Church.

 

John D’Silva proposed a vote of thanks.