Mangaluru: As the season of Advent a time for the Christians to prepare for the great feast of Christmas began the Saint Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu organized ‘Christa Namana’ a programme comprising of Christmas Carols and Kannada Tableau depicting the scenes of birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 

The programme was inaugurated at Saint Anthony’s Ashram by Mr Bhaskara Moily the Mayor of Magalore City Corporation by letting off the pigeons the symbol of peace into the air. In his message he said that Christmas is a feast which is celebrated by all and this celebration brings people together. May the celebration of Christmas promote peace and harmony in the society, he said.

Mr S.K. Sharif the Circle Inspector flagged off the vehicles carrying the tableau. In his message he wished that the joy of Christmas may be spread through the Carol singing and tableau and make people happy.

Mr Mohammed the Deputy Mayor, Mrs Jacintha Alfred the former Mayor, Mr Ashraf another former Mayor, Mrs Namitha D.Rao the former Deputy Mayor, Mr Rajendra Sub-Inspector of Pandeshwar Police Station, Mrs Majula Sub-Inspector, Traffic were present on the occasion and wished success for the programme.

The programme was held on two days: Saturday the 1st of December at Deralakatte Junction and Thokkottu bus stand stand and on Sunday the 2nd of December at Panamboor Beach and near Kadri Park.

Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore addressed the gathering near Kadri Park. In his message he said that Jesus Christ the Son of God became a human being and shared his divinity with all of us. Through this great act of sharing Jesus has shown us that when we share we help to build a harmonious society and that leads to true happiness. He invited the assembled people to imitate Jesus in sharing the resources with the less fortunate. And he said, that is the true spirit of Christmas and true celebration of Christmas.

Fifty artists participated in the Carol Singing and tableau under the leadership of Mr Vincent Fernandes of ‘Mogachi Lahra’ and Mr Melwyn Dias of Panir. Mr Vincent D’Souza from Kokkada was the Santa Claus who went around distributing sweets and whispering the message of Christmas. The joy of Christmas was also shared by distributing cake to all.

Fr Onil D’Souza the Director of Ashram, Fr Thrishan D’Souza the Asst Director, Fr Denis Suares the Parsh Priest of Panir Church, Fr Vincent Sylvester Lobo the Asst Administrator of Father Muller Homeopathy Medical College, Fr Elias D’Souza of Nithyadar Nagar Church were present. Large number of Sisters and thousands of people viewed the programme. Mr Lavita Menezes compered the programme.