Mangalore Diocese News

By Br. Victor Crasta OFM

Mangaluru, Dec. 16 : Christmas gathering of the Conference of Religious in India (CRI), Local Unit, Mangalore was held at St. Aloysius High School Hall, Kodialbail here on 15th December, 2018 at 3.30 p.m. In his key note address, Very Rev. Fr. Pius D’Souza, OCD, Episcopal vicar for Religious of Mangalore Diocese highlighted the presence and contribution of Religious to the Diocese of Mangalore. He further quoted one of the diocesan priests saying that if the religious are removed from our diocese, the whole diocese will be paralysed.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, the bishop of Mangalore was felicitated by the CRI as this being the first time His Lordship attended the CRI meeting after taking over the charge of the diocese as bishop. Fr. Gerald Furtado, SJ introduced the bishop to the gathering. In his message His Lordship thanked the religious for their unique presence and participation in the diocese and went on to say that it is impossible to function the diocese effectively without the helping hand of the religious in various fields. He also invited the religious to join with him to chalk out the pastoral plan of the diocese together with the pastoral planning committee and urged the gathering to propose two names of men religious and two names from among the women religious.

Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel and Sisters of the Queen of Apostles sang the Christmas carols. All gathered took pleasure in wishing and greeting each other by singing Christmas Carols. Chakrapani Nruthya Kala Kendra under the leadership of Suresh Attavar performed the welcome dance to the applause of every one.

Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza, OFM Cap., the president of CRI welcomed the gathering. Sr. Grace Lobo, UMI proposed the vote of thanks. Sr. Lolita BS compered the entire programme. Sr. Reema SRA the vice president, Sr. Gracy Mathias, the secretary and Fr. Gerald S J one of the executive members were present on the dais. Around 500 religious priests, brothers and sisters participated in the programme.

All enjoyed the Christmas cake and Kuswar.