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Udupi : Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of the Udupi Diocese was celebrated on Christmas Eve with devotion, vigour, gaiety and pomp near here on Sunday, December 24, 2023.

The Christmas Eve celebrations began in a special way at 7pm sharp with tableau from kids of Milagres English Medium School which enlightened the birth of Jesus Christ and visit of three Kings at child Jesus was superb.

Followed by the Solemn Eucharistic mass concelebrated by Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of the Cathedral, Rev Fr. Joy Andrade Asst. parish Priest and Rev Fr. Ronson D’Souza, parishioner and Director of Holy Cross Students Home, Katapady.

In his beautiful homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo dominated the three main characters of Christmas feast celebrations all over the world. The Bishop said that the mystery of birth of Jesus Christ what God said, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight, I will put my spirit on Him and He will bring justice to nations, He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. Bishop said God chose a man who is God among us, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God. The Bishop said the Christmas feast is the feast of God becoming man. Just as the Lord, putting on the body, became a man. He said for the Son of God became man so that we might become God.

The celebration of the Christmas feast is the festival of Love. We are assured that because of love God didn’t only come to tell us what to do, but really God came and chose to be human like us in order to show how to be truly human. It is a celebration of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It has a special significance in everyone’s life. God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. God the Father is the lover while our Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God the Father.

Christmas is the festival of Peace and Harmony. Christmas is the festival of joy, peace and happiness. It is a special festival set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of Christmas has grown into a symbolic time for living in peace and harmony. Christmas is the festival of joy, peace and happiness which is a special festival set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Rector of the Cathedral, Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca at the end of the Solemn Eucharistic mass celebrations, gave gratitude to the Bishop, priests, choir team and all concerned on the celebrations of Christmas Eve. He also conveyed Christmas greetings to all the parishioners and guests.

The Bishop handed over decorated candles to Lesley Lewis, the main sponsor of the feast and other sponsors of the feast with decorated candles.

In his message, the Bishop appreciated the parishioners who participated for the celebrations in large numbers. He also conveyed the Christmas festive message to all. Bishop called the parishioners and others to contribute generously for the forthcoming presbytery that would be badly needed for the cathedral which was built more than one century old. After the inception of the Udupi diocese, more than 20 presbyteries were constructed in the diocese churches. He hopes that the forthcoming project will be inaugurated next Christmas with the generous donations from the faithful.

After the mass, the huge faithful were greeting one another and shaking hands with each other. Bishop cut the Christmas cake along with Rector Valerian Mendonca and other priests. ICYM members organized a dance with two christmas santa clauses entertained for the participants. ICYM members organized a housie game.

The ICYM members prepared a beautiful Christmas Crib which attracted large crowds. The whole Cathedral campus was decorated with a number of stars from the entrance to the Cathedral portico and decorated lights all over.