Udupi: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Community Celebrates Christmas in a unique way

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 20 December 2010: Though Christmas is nearly a week away, the parish community of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Udupi celebrated Christmas in a unique way in the evening of Sunday, 19th December 2010. There was holy Mass, cultural programme and community dinner, all arranged and managed by the parishioners themselves under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz, the parish priest and Fr. Melwyn Noronha, the assistant parish priest, the Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Irwin Alva and the Gurkars of different wards.

 

As intimated to me earlier by my friend, Advocate Benedict Noronha to cover the event for Bellevision.com, i had the opportunity to attend the Mass as well as the well presented cultural programme and the well managed community dinner.

 

The community Christmas celebration began with the holy Mass at 5pm, with the Episcopal Vicar of the Udupi District, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes as the chief celebrant assisted by Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz and Fr. Melwyn Noronha. In his homily, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes highlighted the message of the Christmas as laid down in the Gospel of the day explaining the meaning of ‘Immanuel’, that is, God is with us and the essence of the three magic words of Christmas-‘Love, unity and forgiveness’.

 

Following the holy Mass, the cultural programme was presented in the premises of the church at 6.30 pm. The entire cultural presentation was coordinated and compeered by Mr. Alphonse D’Costa, headmaster of St. Mary’s Kannada Medium High School, Udupi. Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes was the chief guest of the cultural programme. Most of the presentation was based on the theme of the Christmas.

 

 

The children presented the prayer dance following which Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz welcomed the chief guest, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes and all the members of the parish community for the family get together. In his welcome address, Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz said that previously each ward of the parish used to have Christmas get-together. However, since last year the tradition of holding parish community get-together was initiated. He appreciated the unity and cooperation among the parishioners and pointed out that on Wednesday, 15th December 2010 a large number of parishioners had volunteered to prepare Christmas sweets (Kuswar) in the church itself. He also lauded the work done by the volunteers under the leadership of James D’Souza in preparing the community meal that would be served after the end of the cultural programme.

 

Right from the children, youths and even adults presented cultural programmes. The Kannada skit, “Papadinda Moksha”, written and directed by Vinay Kumar was presented by St. Mary’s English Medium High School Students. School children also presented Christmas Carols in which Santa Clause made his appearance and entertained the children. There were dances by Fiona and group as well as Victoria Cornelio and group. Hindi Fusion dance was presented by Vivina and Reema Saldanha. A tableau named “Mary Mother of God” was enacted by Lavita and her group. A musical dance “Jesus is born” was presented by Mrs. Cecilia D’Souza and her group.

 

The Episcopal Vicar, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes in his message pointed out how by doing our work sincerely we can imbibe the spirit of Christmas in our lives and live a fruitful and contented life. He was joined on the stage by Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz, Fr. Melwyn Noronha and Sr.Shaila, Superior of the Convent and inaugurated the ‘Kuswar’ by sharing it with each other. Volunteers distributed packets of ‘Kuswar’ that was prepared in the church itself by the parishioners to everyone in the audience who relished it and shared the spirit of Christmas in a true sense of a parish family. Mr. Irwin Alva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council proposed the vote of thanks.

 

Fr. Melwyn Noronha recited the Angelus and grace before the meal and by 8 pm dinner was served to the parish community members through seven counters. The entire programme of the parish community celebrating Christmas unitedly is a unique example of annual parish get-together. Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz said that as each family would be celebrating Christmas with family members, friends and neighbours on the Christmas Day (25th December), it was decided to celebrate Christmas as one parish family with holy Mass, cultural programme and community dinner on the previous Sunday.