News & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD/SB)
Mumbai, Dec 28: The parishioners of St Joseph’s parish, Mira Road, here celebrated the Christmas this year in a unique way. Christmas is a feast of good News, the birth of Christ; hence a real celebration of Christmas should bring the good news to everyone, especially to those who are not able to experience the joy of Christmas, the poor, underprivileged as well as physically and mentally challenged.
St Joseph parish organized a Christmas programme for the poor children (street and slum children) of Mira Road. Around 250 children participated with many games, cultural programmes and competitions being held. The highlight of the programme was the magic show by Raviraj, which thoroughly entertained all the children. The children were served sumptuous meal, snacks, cake and sweets.
On the day of Christmas the parish also organized a Christmas get-together for all the physically and mentally challenged parishioners of entire parish. The children from Ankur were provided with free boarding and the children from the parish trained by Natasha, staged a few dances to entertain these suffering brethren. A few games were also conducted to involve them in the celebrations and prizes were distributed. At the end of the day there was joy on the faces of these less-privileged people.
At the church at Miraa Road, the Holy Masses on Christmas Eve was attended by over 10,000 people with beautiful illumination and melodious choir. The huge star which was prepared by the parish youth from the coconut leaves gave a message of ecological preservation of nature. Further, adhering to the message of Bishop Agnelo Gracias, the parish tried to make the Christmas celebration more evangelical. A picture of Christ was printed with the message of Christmas and was distributed by the parishioners to many of their non-Christian friends.
Christmas get-togethers were organized in the SCC zones and many of the non-Christian friends were invited for the celebration. Many banners and stars were displayed at prominent places of Mira Road with the Christmas message.