Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 26 : “ Christmas is a cosmic celebration of the beginning of something which we cannot adequately describe; it is a liturgy that sings of the new covenant between the God of eternity and man in history” - Pope Paul VI.

As bells tolled, a sea of devotees thronged to St. Joseph the Worker Church, Neermarga, decked up with lights, solid and beautiful Crib to solemnize the feast of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment") with ardency and exhilaration on the eve of 24th December 2020.

Celebrating Advent is spiritual preparation marked by an eager longing for the birth of Our Saviour Jesus Christ. An Advent Wreath featuring 4 candles lighting 1 candle of the Advent wreath each Sunday with themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace -Meaningful Homilies by Rev Fr Anil D Mello, Parish Priest with Anecdotes, verbal situations were cited and reflected upon that served as spiritual nourishment to the Flock entrusted to his care.

On 24th December when the clock struck 6.30 P.M Parish Choir sang mellifluously the songs of praise and joy (Christmas Carols), spreading the message of faith, happiness and harmony and festive cheer and sense of togetherness.

The Christmas Holy Mass was presided over by Rev Fr Rohit D Costa, Assistant Director of St. Joseph Engineering College and concelebrated by Rev Fr Anil D Mello Parish Priest and Rev. Fr Timothy Saldanha, Guest Priest. In his homily Rev Fr Rohit ingeminated that Christmas should not end in external celebrations; it should be a moment of special welcome to Jesus Christ, the God who came to dwell amongst Mankind. The most expressive celebration of Christmas is to love, forgive and serve all in the spirit of unity and brotherhood and elation as Jesus Christ did. These thoughts were annotated with the help of stories and concrete examples.

Parish Priest announced the names of parishioners who generously contributed for the Feast and Fr. Rohit D Costa distributed blessed candles.

On the whole Liturgical Celebration took place taking into consideration the COVID -19 Standard Operating Procedures prescribed by the Government of Karnataka.