Mangalore: The Mangalore Christian Council (MCC); Commission for Ecumenism, Diocese of Mangalore; All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights -Western Zone (AKUCFHR-WZ); Dakshina Kannada Area CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese along with Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association, St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai organised Senior Citizens’ Ecumenical Lenten Meditation in the forenoon on Thursday, March 05, 2026 at Bejai Church Hall in city.
As many as 520 senior citizens from different Churches like Catholic, CSI, Syro Malabar, and Believers’ Easter Church etc participated in the gathering.
The program was inaugurated by the Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldana, along with the Bishop of CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese Rt. Rev. Hemachandra Kumar, the day’s Speaker Sr Dr Mable Dmello B.S., Parish Priest of Bejai Rev. Dr JB Saldanha, the Secretary for MCC and Diocesan Ecumenical Commission As well as Treasurer of AKUCFHR – WZ Rev. Rupesh Madtha, another Secretary for MCC Rev. M. Prabhuraj, the Secretary for AKUCFHUR -WZ Rev. Goldin J Bangera and Bejai Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association President Mrs Cony Saldanha. The inauguration was done by lighting the lamp.
The Bejai Senior Citizens sang a prayer song after which Rev Goldin J. Bangera conducted the opening prayer. Rev. Dr J B Saldanha welomed the gathering and and especially the esteemed guests with flowers.
Bishops in their brief messages highlighted the significance of spirituality in the lives of senior citizens and also the need of Ecumenical Prayer Services today. Sr Dr Mable Dmello B.S. gave practical tips for the senior citizens to grow gracefully and spiritually.
The senior citizens of Bejai acted out a beautiful skit and also enacted an Action Song. Members of CSI Shanthi Cathedral Church as well as Sushanthi Church, Markara Hill led hymns.
The police officers from Kadri Police Station took the opportunity to be present at the end and make the senior citizens aware about the latest digital scams. They explained the precautionary methods.
Rev. M. Prabhuraj proposed the vote of thanks; Rev. Rupesh Madtha conducted prayer for peace especially in the Middle East and also a prayer before meals. Maisie Dsouza compeered the program, Breakfast and lunch was served to the participants.