‘Save Environment by planting Saplings’ – Bishop Dr Peter During Christmas Celebration
Mangaluru: The Christmas-eve mass was held in all the parishes in the district on December 24, to celebrate the birth of Jesus who was born in a manger.
At Rosario Cathedral, There was the singing of carols from 6:30 pm followed by the mass at 7:30 pm. The festive mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Peter Paul Saldanha along with the Parish Priest Fr J B Crasta and assistant parish priests.
In his homily, Bishop Dr Peter Paul said, “2018 years ago, Jesus decided to be born in a manger and we Catholics believe it. History has been divided in two categories BC and AD. Many are feeling shy to tell who Jesus is. Sometimes we Catholics prefer Santa Clause while singing the carols, we do not need Infant Jesus, we prefer Jingle Bells when singing hymns instead of the Holy night”.
Bishop Dr Peter further said, “The line of separation of BC and AD passes through our heart. Those who follow Jesus are living in the New Testament. Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins, forgive and love us. He did not come to the world to curse us. If we forgive those who hurt us, we are living in the Era of the new testament. We need to understand Jesus. There is a saying ‘Ignorance of the scripture is the ignorance of Christ’. We need to understand the scriptures in the Holy book.”
While concluding Bishop said, “We have few days left to end this year and we burn the old man, being a Catholic if we burn the old man which Era do we belong? Instead of spoiling the environment by burning the effigy of an old man, we need to retain our environment by planting saplings”.
After the mass, Bishop Dr Peter Paul cut the Christmas cake followed by spot games and housie housie. The Bishop mingled with the parishioners and exchanged Christmas Greetings.