Udupi : Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese celebrated Christmas Eve with a gaiety and pomp on Monday, December 24, 2018. The celebrations began with carol singing led by Choir group of the cathedral from 6.30 pm.

At 7 pm, the Solemn Eucharistic mass celebrations concelebrated by Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese along with Very Rev Fr. Lawrence C. D’Souza, Rector of the Milagres Cathedral and Dean of Kallianpur deanery, Rev Fr. Canute Noronha, Assistant Parish priest of Milagres Cathedral and Rev Fr. John Bennet, Superior and Director of Pilar Fathers’ Mini Seminary, Kallianpur.

In his beautiful homily, Bishop Gerald said that God is coming for the salvation of mankind. Jesus, the Son of God was willing to come to the earth, give life for us. According the Isaiah Prophet, the God is coming with peace to the earth and Jesus brought the light and peace to the earth and new world established. Jesus Christ has proclaimed three principles that God loves us with Jesus entry in the history of the world. The Son of God becomes man and lives with us. He is Emmanuel. Jesus with us became man.

God wants to live with joy and happiness. The birth of Jesus has the reason for our happiness and joy. God brought peace on the earth. Peace is the gift of the Lord. The peace is the gift for the human being. The relationship between God and peace with us great and it will influence the peace in our life.

Bishop said that God for the human being became man for the humankind. He became man for the new life of human. God always loves us.

Today, God is giving faith to needed poor person and helps for the most wanted persons through his love and peace with them.

At the end of the mass, Very Rev Dr. Fr. Lawrence C. D’Souza gave gratitude to Bishop, priests and all participants’ faithful on the occasion of Christmas Eve celebrations.

After the liturgical services of Christmas, under the leadership of Cathedral ICYM unit members auction of beautiful cake was done. John D’Costa of Kallianpur A ward was the highest bidder with just Rs. 12,000+. The Santa Claus was arrived with open jeep at near the huge stage. The ICYM members danced with carol singing on the dais along with Santa Claus.

Prizes were distributed to winners of Star competition as well as other competitions. Prizes also distributed for ward level competition.

In his message Bishop said that the celebrations of the Christmas Eve held with the sense of unity and brotherhood in church family. This year first time the celebrations held at outside the Cathedral on the ground which was superb and next year it will be better celebrations on the ground of church ground. He conveyed his Christmas wishes to all concerned during the celebrations.

The Church premises decorated with plenty of stars and decoration. Large number of faithful participated on the celebrations of Christmas Eve.

ICYM members prepared beautiful crib near the entrance of the Cathedral premises which appreciated by all. After the mass, well known singer Prajvoth D’Sa compered the all ICYM sponsored programme along with cake bidding and housie game. The prizes also distributed to winners of housie games.