Christmas celebration at St. Anthony’s Ashram; Bishop extends help to needy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 23, 2016: Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangaluru celebrated the Holy Mass during the Christmas festivity arranged for the inmates of St Anthony’s Charity Institute, Jeppu on December 23, Friday. He distributed kuswar and gifts to the inmates followed by distribution of grocery items to an  HIV affected family. He also presented a cheque to a needy family from Pump well towards construction of their house.

 

In his Christmas message, the Bishop said that the poor and needy need not feel sad or discouraged because there is no one to care for them.

"All are children of God and are dear to Him. Jesus came into this world precisely to demonstrate this truth that God truly cares for them. Jesus has also called us His followers to reach out to the needy ones because in them He truly lives," the Bishop further stated.

St Anthony’s Charity Institute started in 1898  is presently a  home to 400 destitutes. The Institute  takes care of their needs with no charges. The Bishop today hosted a lunch for the inmates to share his joy of his triple jubilee(Platinum jubilee of life, Golden jubilee of priesthood and two decades of Episcopal Ordination). Earlier during the day the Bishop also blessed the crib prepared at the entrance of St Anthony’s Ashram.

Fr Onil D’Souza, the Director of the Institutes welcomed the guests and thanked them for their participation. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the Diocese; Fr Francis D’Souza the Administrator of the Institutes; Fr Peter Gonsalves, the Asst Director; Marcel Monteiro and  Archie Pais the Advisory  Committee members of the Institutes were present. Prem Kumar and his team organized the choir.