“Feels good to be here” say Muslim women at ‘GLORIA’ Christmas program

??????????Bengaluru, Dec 12: Nestled in a crowd of at least 500 people were few Muslim women clad in ‘burkha’ enjoying the GLORIA Christmas program at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral grounds December 11th. Their children study at St. Rocks School in the Church campus.

??????????The 3-hour program annual program which featured various groups singing Christmas carols was organized by the Bangalore Chapter of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement. In his message to the gathering Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras said “Christmas is always a time of coming together and a time that brings cheer.  We must make people feel loved and cared for”.  He reiterated what Pope Francis said that “Though the doors of mercy were symbolically closed at the end of the year of mercy, our hearts should always be open and flowing with mercy towards the less fortunate” The prelate blessed children who crowded around him in excitement during the program.

??????????The gathering was enthralled at the performance of visually challenged children from the Jyothi Seva Home for the blind who performed to the tune of ‘the popular movie ‘Sister act’ . Fr. Divia Paul, Archdiocesan Youth Director thanked the archbishop for his “Encouraging presence despite his heavy work schedules”.  ??????????