INFOCUS Media Release

California, May 10: It was an eventful Sunday for the Indian Catholic families of Northern California as they joined to celebrate the Month of Our Lady (Mai Maino) on Sunday May 6 at St Thomas of Canterbury Church in California. The service was all the more special and solemn as the faith community of Indian Catholics in Northern California was consecrated to Mother Mary.

Mother Mary is the patron for the faith community of Indian Catholic families in Northern California. The Holy Eucharist offered by Fr George Aranha with large number of people participating in it.

The mass began with children walking in procession with flowers in their hands to offer to Mother Mary. The congregation sang hymns expressing their love and gratitude.

After the mass the members met in the adjoining church hall for a delicious Indian lunch. This was to be followed by games and fun activities for everyone. As always the lunch was cooked by the members with everyone chipping-in to make it a sumptuous meal. The Motherhood of Mary was honored in a touching way during the celebration as children individually presented to their own mothers in the audience a stem of flowers. It was a beautiful site to see the mothers touched by this gesture warmly hugging their children.   An egg hunt was arranged for the kids. Children had a fun time treasure-hunting for eggs in the church garden. 

The Indian Catholic community of Northern California looks forward to INFOCUS (Indian Families of Catholic Origin in US) community events. Several members from all over Northern California commute several miles to make it to these gatherings. The members and their families get to socialize with an Indian Catholic faith community. They get to relive some of the traditions of their Catholic upbringing back in India. Moreover it provides their kids who are growing in the United States a valuable opportunity to feel for themselves a sense of India and its rich Christian tradition.

Fr George Aranha the pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Palo Alto, California is the group's spiritual guide. Cresentia Lobo wife of Allwyn Lobo is the resource person.

INFOCUS is the faith community of Indian Catholics in Northern California. INFOCUS has a diverse membership of Catholics from India with a large number of Goan and Mangalorean families. INFOCUS celebrates a Catholic Mass followed by a lunch and community celebration every month on a Sunday at 12.30 pm.

Those who live in Northern California are welcome to attend the service. The next Holy Eucharist and community gathering will be held on Sunday August 5 at 12.30 pm at Saint Thomas of Canterbury Church, 1522 McCoy Ave, San Jose 95130, California. Those interested in participating please contact Cresentia Lobo at infocusgroup@yahoo.com or Ph:  (408) 374-3692.