Bengaluru: The St. Joseph Hindi Migrants’ Community of St. John Maria Vianney Church, Mahadevapura, Whitefield, came together in a spirit of joy and solidarity to celebrate a Pre-Christmas gathering, uniting migrant families and parishioners from nearby churches. Faithful from CTC Church, Carmelram Sarjapura, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church joined the celebration, making it a vibrant expression of unity and shared faith.
The programme was marked by a solemn Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Franklin Minj, Secretary of the Bangalore Migrant Commission, who served as the chief guest. He was joined by several priests from the region, with the concelebration underscoring the collective pastoral support extended to migrant communities in the city. The liturgy was enriched by a dedicated choir that led the congregation in prayerful and spirited worship.
Delivering the homily, Fr. Nirnal Murmu reflected on the Advent theme of Immanuel – “God with us”, urging the faithful to embrace hope, unity and trust in God’s presence as they prepare to welcome the birth of Christ. His message resonated deeply with migrant families, reminding them that faith remains a source of strength amid life’s uncertainties.
A major highlight of the celebration was the focus on social welfare and empowerment for North Indian migrant workers. Under the leadership of Fr. Sameer Minj SJ, in collaboration with the Department of Labour Migration, ISI, several support initiatives were rolled out. These included E-Shram card registration, enrolment in the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, and a medical health camp conducted with the support of the RUTH Foundation NGO, addressing both employment security and healthcare needs.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from religious sisters and members of various Hindi migrant groups. Cultural programmes, featuring traditional dance performances, added colour and festivity to the gathering, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the migrant communities while reinforcing the joy of the Christmas season.
The organizers expressed heartfelt appreciation to Don Bosco College for hosting the event and acknowledged the tireless efforts of volunteers and coordinators whose commitment ensured the smooth execution of the programme.
The celebration concluded on a warm and hopeful note with Christmas and New Year greetings for 2026, as the community renewed its pledge to foster faith, unity and service, standing in solidarity with migrant families and continuing its mission of compassion and inclusion in Bengaluru.