It’s Christmas Time & St Aloysius Institutions Shares the ‘Feast of God’s Love’ with Loved Ones!
Mangaluru: We can find the true meaning of Christmas when we shift our focus from “What will I get?” to “What can I give?” When we change our thinking from receiving to giving, we find the real spirit of Christmas. Giving our time to others and focusing on the needs of those around us helps us serve like the Savior and remember His significance this time of year. Serving and sharing fills us with the joy that comes from following Christ—a joy that can be seen and felt by those around us. And for that matter, the Jesuit Priests, the management and staff of St Aloysius College (Autonomous)-Mangaluru keeping in my mind and remembering the great contribution done by the District Administration, Well-wishers, Donors, Religious People, Politicians, Media Persons, and others towards the college, hosted a fellowship Meal on Friday, 22 December to mark the forthcoming Christmas Feast.
The guests were predominately mixed comprising of Deputy Commissioner of DK Sasikanth Senthil, as Chief Guest; Superintendent of Police B R Ravikanthe Gowda; Joe Gonsalves- Chief of Traffic Warden; ACP Hanumantharaya IPS; Former MLA J R Lobo; Kishore Kumar-In-charge VC of Mangalore University; Area Ward corporator Vinayaraj; MCC Mayor Bhaskar K; Jesuit Priests; Nuns, Chartered Accountants; Entrepreneurs; Professionals from various fields; and many others. The get-together began with a prayer song rendered by Miss Wilma and Miss Jennifer and guided by Fr John Lang Bosco SJ, the St Aloysius PUC Finance Officer; and also joined by Fr Amith AJ. The welcome address was delivered y Fr Denzil Lobo SJ- Director of AIMIT, Beeri, following which there was an audio-video presentation on St Aloysius Institution and its achievements.
The chief guest of the occasion DC Sasikanth Senthil in his address to the audience said, ” This is my first Christmas participation in Mangaluru, and I cherish every moment of it, being at the prestigious institution run by the Jesuit Priests. I am very much connected with Christmas celebrations since I did my college at a Catholic institution in Chennai. No words can explain the real meaning of Christmas. Christ operates through our prayers and wishes, and our prayers and wishes should e channelized into actions. We should all remember that Christmas is a feast for all, irrespective of caste or creed. Christmas is celebrated with joy and harmony buy all faith, and we are seeing right here in the audience, with people from all various communities”.
“Christmas is a feast to promote peace, goodwill, love and harmony in the community. The contribution of the Christians in the field of maintaining peace, love and brotherhood will be appreciated and they are living with sharing love each other with discipline. Christians share their love and happiness would be inspiring us. Last year we saw a little bit of communal tension in this town, but it was under control. We should not look for such kind of unrest in the society. We have all people here living with unity and love without any effects of communal harmony. Let us all look forward to live in harmony, peace, love and caring so that we can make Mangaluru a better place to live. My message to the young students is that make avail of all the opportunities you get, every moment of your life should be cherished. Your parents are looking forward to you all to be on the right track and be good citizens of this country. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019 to you all”, added DC Senthil.
In his presidential address, Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ said, “If Deepavali is the ‘Festival of Lights’, then we can consider Christmas as ‘Feast of Love’, a time for Sharing and Caring. Christmas is all about spreading the joy and spirit of this happy occasion among our loved ones, friends, relatives, and others We are happy to have people from all walks of life gathered here for this Christmas Fellowship Dinner. This season is the time to express our gratitude and goodwill, look for peace and renewal, and for hopes and dreams”.
“Christmas tidings are “The Beginning of Hope” for a better and newer world of peace, equality, justice, dignity, and brotherhood. Christmas is also a time for receiving and giving. God’s gift to us is Lord becoming Human. This institution has always made men and women for others. Jesus came to give peace and reconciliation, and He lived a marginalized life. Our institute also takes care of poor students and make them reach better and greater heights in their lives. Christmas is reconciliation with creation. The three words to consider Christmas is ‘God With Us’. I take this opportunity to thank you for collaborating in our service through education at St Aloysius Institutions. You have been there with us by sharing your resources and especially your concern and love. Wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2019 ahead”, added Rector.
Fr Praveen Martis Sj-the Principal of St Aloysius College expressing his gratitude while proposing the vote of thanks also sharing the message of Christmas said, ” Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the festival of remembering the event of God becoming a human being. The birth of Jesus heralded the Good News to the humankind that God loves people and because of this love He forgives people. Let this Christmas be a meaningful Christmas. Let us live the life that Jesus Christ wanted us to live; loving and forgiving our enemies and building a society on the foundations of peace, joy and brotherhood. Then, all these debates of tolerance and intolerance will not find any space in society; and we will live our lives as expected by God, as human beings helping each other rather than tearing apart each other. You all have been our great friends all these years, and we look forward to the same in the years to come. May Christmas season bring new freshness, new hope and new strength today and through this New Year!”
Fr Leo D’Souza SJ, the former Rector of SAC said the grace before meals, while Ms Precilla D’Silva -Professor and HOD of dept of Zoology SAC professionally compered the programme. Following few more Christmas carols from the North East Students of SAC, the Christmas get-together ended with a sumptuous fellowship meal. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year until we meet once again for the 2019 Christmas Fellowship Dinner!