Diocese of Udupi organized Christmas Get-Together with Media fraternity on Friday, 16th December at 12 noon in the Ave Maria Hall in the premises of the Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo along with the chief guest Mrs. Sharmila S., Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of the Udupi District Legal Services Authority, P. Manjunath-Udupi District Information Officer, Alevoor Rajesh Shetty-President of the Udupi District Working Journalists Association, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese and Michael Rodrigues, Convener of the Udupi Diocesan Christian Media were on the dais.
Following the introductory remarks and welcome by Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, the Christmas Media Persons Get-together was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest and Bishop by cutting the Christmas Cake along with other dignitaries on the dais.
In her Christmas message, Mrs. Sharmila S. said that journalists and media persons are like the mirror to the society. They are the fourth pillar whose responsibility is to convey correct news and information to the people. The journalistic Dharma can be well followed if the media persons are truthful and committed to their profession. Besides being truthful, the journalists have to be courageous in exposing the wrongdoings by anyone in authority and uphold the rights and dignity of the common people. Mrs. Sharmila S. conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the media persons.
Alevoor Rajesh Shetty in his address said that the message ofof all religions in order to avoid misunderstandings about each other’s religion.
P. Manjunath in his speech said that the social reformers throughout history had tried to bring about positive changes in the society. Jesus Christ too preached peace and love. Media persons should strive to spread the message of peace and harmony in the society and do away with anything that is related to hatred and disharmony.
In his message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo sa
id that Christmas means the feast of the birth of Jesus. God loved humans so much that He sent His only son to be among humans born in a manger and died on the Cross. Christmas reminds one about the Crib which comprises of a family, surrounded by animals such as sheep, cattle and camels; star and three Kings as well as the angel and shepherds. Jesus was born under poverty stricken surroundings and spread the message of peace and love to all. The Crib also gives the message of humans being one with the nature. The Bishop appreciated the contribution of all media persons towards the Udupi Diocese for the last ten years and conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all.
On this occasion, Ajit Aradi Convener of Udupi District Press Club and Ankit Shetty-Co-convener were felicitated by the Bishop and the dignitaries on the dais.
Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca-Rector of the Milagres Cathedral, Rev, Fr. Charles Menezes-Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza-Chancellor of Udupi Diocese were present.
Michael Rodrigues-Convener of the Udupi Diocese Christian Media proposed the vote of thanks and Rev. Fr. Royson Fernandes-Editor of ‘Uzvaad’ compered the programme.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo distributed cakes and greeting cards to all the media persons.