Photo Caption: Belgaum Diocese Team with Karnataka CM
Catholics in the Diocese of Belgaum are upbeat as Christmas celebrations this year are expected to be more memorable. This year the festivities are expected to commence with a mega Christmas celebration programme together with the lawmakers of the state. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will be inaugurating the state level Christmas programme that will be held on Wednesday, December 19 in Belagavi. The celebrations would be held at the premises of St. Xavier’s High School from 6.30 pm onward.
A committee of the diocese headed by Apostolic Administrator Rev. Fr. Eusebio Fernandes has invited Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara. Both have given their nod to be present for the programme. Archbishop of Bangaluru Rev. Dr. Peter Machado will be presiding over the celebrations.
Taking the opportunity of the 10-day Winter Session of the Karnataka State Legislature which is being held at the monumental Suvarna Vidhan Soudha on the outskirts of Belagavi city since November 10, under the guidance of Archbishop Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, to have the celebrations in Belagavi city this year. With the assistance of former Karnataka Legislative Council chief whip MLC Ivan D’souza, the team visited Suvarna Vidhan Soudha late Thursday and extended the invitation to the CM and his deputy.
“I am privileged to inform that for the first time in the history of the Diocese of Belgaum, such a programme is held. The CM and the Deputy CM have accepted our invitation and have agreed to take part in the celebrations that have been organised to convey the message of peace, joy and feeling of compassionate love to the underprivileged in the society that Christmas brings to this world. We will be also inviting all the ministers, legislators and officials for the celebrations” Rev. Fr. Eusebio told the Indian Catholic Matters.
Expressing happiness over the development Archbishop Peter told ICM that he has invited all the bishops of Karnataka to attend the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Belgaum Diocesan Board of Education and Social Welfare (BDBE&SS) is observing the Golden jubilee year of its foundation this year. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy will be unveiling the plaque to commemorate the occasion.
Rev Fr Lucio Mascarenhas, Fr Franky Lobo, Public Relations secretary to the bishop Louis Rodrigues and Girgol Rodrigues were in the team that invited both the dignitaries.
Photo: MLC Ivan D’souza, Rev Fr Eusebio, Fr Lucio, Louis Rodrigues, ZP president Asha Aihole and others during the invitation to Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.