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Chitradurga, Hiriyur, December 25, 2023: Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, Chitradurga District, Diocese of Shimoga, celebrated Christmas in a grand manner.

Christmas celebration was unveiled by hoisting the star on December 10th.

Parishioners together with their Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza organised Carols together with message of Jesus in every family from December 11th to 16th.

Youth of the Parish prepared beautiful Crib in front of the Church.

On 24th December night 10:30pm faithful gathered and prayed the Rosary. At 11pm Choir led the Carols. At 11:45pm Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza celebrated the Holy Eucharist. He blessed the Crib and kept the baby Jesus in the Crib and paid homage.

In his homily he explained the meaning of incarnation. Jesus the Son of God became human being to save us from our sins. He said manger is the symbol of simplicity and humility. To attain divinity we to be simple and humble. 

After the Holy Eucharist at 2am faithful gathered in front of the Church to celebrate the Christmas by cutting the Christmas cake. Minister of Government of Karnataka and MLA of Hiriyur Constituency Sri. D. Sudhakar sponsored the cake for the faithful.

December 25th, in the morning 9am Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Franklin D'Souza and in the evening people from the town visited the Church and prayed with lighted candles. Cultural evening was organised by the Youth of the Parish (ICYM & YCS)as the part of Christmas celebration. Faithful presented 20 programmes with the message of Christmas. Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza was the Chief guest and Councillor Mrs. Madala Maria was the guest. They inaugurated the cultural evening by pouring the water to the plant.

Fr Franklin D’Souza in his inaugural Speech wished everyone gathered blessings of Christmas. He said that Christmas is Salvation and every one need to experience that Salvation offered by God freely. The poverty of Jesus reminds us God loves the poor and downtrodden. Christmas is hope amidst of hopeless situation. We need to put trust in Jesus and we can overcome the hurdles in life.

Sr. D. Sudhakar, He is currently serving as Cabinet Minister in Government of Karnataka & member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly representing Hiriyur, Minister of Planning and Statistics of Karnataka, visited the Church and he celebrated Christmas with the people by cutting the cake. He was welcomed by the Parish Priest Fr Franklin D'Souza.

In his speech he upheld the meaning and importance of Christmas. He said that Christmas brings Joy and peace. We need to defeat violence and terrorism and we have pray for the peace which Jesus brought to this world. We need to live as brothers and sisters, understanding each other and strive to propagate peace through our lives. He was honoured by Councillor Mrs. Madala Maria and Fr Franklin D'Souza garlanded him and presented a Christmas cake on behalf of the Parish.

Cultural programmes continued till 9pm. Mr. Stanley Lawrence thanked the guests as well as all those who gathered.

Ms. Femin and Ms. Lissanie compered the program.