Fatima Retreat House Holds Christmas Celebrations with Orphans
Mangaluru: Fatima Retreat House organized Christmas Celebration with the Orphan’s at the Retreat House Ground here on December 16.
The programme began with an invocation. Director of Fatima Retreat House Fr Melwin Pinto SJ inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp.
Addressing the gathering Fr Melwin Pinto said, “I am very happy to see you all here. You have come here and exhibited your talents. Christmas means the festival of Joy. Jesus came to this world as a child 2000 years ago and brought happiness to everyone. When we are small we treat everyone equally and we do not have any differences. We invite everyone to our house because we are very clean and innocent.”
Recalling a story of a person who purchased a flower pot, Fr Melwin said, “A person saw a flower pot in the market and purchased it. After reaching home he thought of keeping the flower pot on the table. But the table was not so good, he put a nice cloth on the table and placed the pot. Even then he was not satisfied because the walls of the house were dirty. so he had the walls painted. After painting the walls he saw that the floor was dirty, he then changed the flooring of the house to make his house look beautiful like the flower pot.”
Fr Melwin further said, “When anyone comes to our house we are cleaning the house and trying to keep it clean. Just like that, we need to keep ourselves clean. Children are very innocent and they are happy within. We want you to be happy and today we are sharing our joy with all of you. When you grow up you should continue to be happy like you are now. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and may Jesus bless you all and keep you happy.”
The programme was attended by a large number of children from Bala Yesu Nilaya Maryhill; Stella Maris, Kotekar; Bhagini Samaj, Jeppu; Zeenath Baksh Bunder; Infant Mary’s Hostel, Kulshekar; De Mercyde, Derlakatte; Jeevadaan, Gurpur Kaikamba and Prashant Nivas, Jeppu. Children presented various cultural programmes such as dances, songs and skits and entertained the gathering.
Sports and games were also conducted for the children and the winners were given prizes. Traditional Kuswar and personal Christmas gifts were also distributed to everyone present.
Thank you, Rev. Fr. Melwyn Pinto for initiating the Christmas celebrations at Fatima Retreat House for the Orphans. This was the event that was initially introduced by late Fr. Ronnie Prabhu, and we are glad that you have re-introduced the same this year, for which we are truly grateful to you. Fatima Retreat House is always dear to us. We come all the way from Bijey to be part of your congregation because the Services are well organized and the sight is ideal for all practical purposes. You have brought all the additional glamor to Fatima Retreat House in addition… Read more »