Diocese of Udupi organizes Christmas get-together with Media Fraternity

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 19 Dec 2023: As in previous years since its formation, the Diocese of Udupi organized the annual Christmas get-together with the media personnel, both print and electronic, on Tuesday, 19 December 2023 at 12.30 pm at the Pastoral Centre (Anugraha) Kakkunje. This was the first time that the media fraternity met at Anugraha.

 

The get-together with the media fraternity commenced with multi-religious prayer displayed through the LCD projector.

 

The brief stage programme was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi. Other dignitaries on the dais included  Raghavendra Nayak-Guest Relations Manager, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Udupi, Msgr. Ferdinand Gonslves-Vicar General of the Diocese of Udupi, Manjunath-Udupi District Information Officer, Rajesh Shetty-President of the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association, Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of the Diocese of Udupi and Michael Rodrigues-Convener of the Christian Media of the Diocese of Udupi.

 

 

Following the welcome address by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira (OCD)-Editor of Udupi Diocesan Fortnightly “Uzwaad”, Fr. Denis D’Sa gave a brief information about the Pastoral Centre “Anugraha’. He said that since the separation of the Diocese of Udupi from the Mother Diocese of Mangalore 11 years ago, there was a need to have an infrastructure to run the diocese through the spiritual enrichment, administrative structure and social empowerment. The Pastoral Centre appropriately named “Anugraha’ was inaugurated on 13 January 2022 and also a home for the retired priests (Milagres Home) near the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. In order to fulfill the spiritual, administrative and social empowerment there are 20 Commissions out of which 6 Commissions are headed by laity as Directors.  So far the Christmas Get0togeether with the media fraternity used to be held at the Parish Hall of the Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi where the Bishop still resides in one of the sections of the old Kannada Medium School. This was the first time that the get-together is being held in ‘Anugraha”.

 

As the symbol of sharing the Christmas joy, the Christmas Cake was slice by the Bishop along with the dignitaries on the dais. Slices of cake were distributed to all the participants in the Christmas Get-together.

 

Speaking on this occasion, Raghavendra Nayak, the chief guest expressed his happiness to be part of the get-together. He said that Jesus Christ who was born in simplicity manifested humility and spread the message of love and peace.

 

Raajesh Shetty, in his speech, conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the participants in the get-together. He said that he has been a regular participant in the annual Christmas Get-together of the Media persons. But since the last three years he has been sitting on the dais along with the Bishop being the President of the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association.

 

On this occasion, Harish Suvarna, an eminent television personality was felicitated by the dignitaries by offering him shawl, garland and fruits basket for being honoured with Udupi District Rajyotsava Award in November 2023. Michaels Rodrigues introduced Harish Suvarna to the audience.

 

 

In his presidential message of Christmas, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said that Christmas is the festival of the world that is being celebrated by people with great joy and happiness. In this festival Baby Jesus is the centre of celebration. Jesus Christ is the gift from God to humanity. God loved the humankind s much that he sent His only Son to the world to be one among them. The message of Christmas, that is, peace and love are sublime and are the need of the hour as the world is torn apart with hatred, conflicts and wars.

 

The Christmas Get-together with the Media Fraternity was attended by Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Rector of the Milagres Cathedral, Fr. Charles Menezes-Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr. Roshan D’Souza-Chancellor of the Diocese of Udupi, Fr. Vincent Crasta-Secretary of CESU and Director of “Anugraha”, Fr. Henry D’Souza-Assistant Parish Priest of St. john the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura.

 

Michael Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks and Fr. Cyril Lobo-Director of Divya Jyothi compered the programme.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo distributed cake boxes attached with Christmas Greeting Cards to all the participants in the Christmas Get-together of the media persons.

 

Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves recited prayer before meal and the Christmas Get-together concluded with sumptuous lunch in the basement dining hall named “Ashirwaad”.