Christmas Celebrated with devotion and joy in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 24 Dec 2022: Christmas was celebrated with renewed vigour with great devotion in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, 24 December 2022 at 6.30 pm with the singing of Christmas Carols. The Church choir, superbly trained by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, rendered the Christmas Carols with melodious voice. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza explained the meaning of each and every Carol including one in the Kannada language.

 

The solemn Christmas Mass began at 7 pm with the procession of Altar Servers and 5 priests. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza was the chief celebrant of the solemn Christmas Mass.

 

As the Gloria was sung by the choir, the chief celebrant unveiled the statue of Infant Jesus and incensed.

 

In his homily, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza  highlighted the importance of the feast of Christmas and said that, the feast signifies three important aspects. That is, the feast of Christmas is the feast of light, feast of peace, contentment and unity, and the feast of humanity. He further said that when the Son of God became a man, we human beings should live like real human beings and be worthy of being called the followers of Jesus Christ.

 

The liturgy of the Solemn Christmas Mass was animated by children well trained by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza. The children manifested their maturity while reading the passages from the Holy scripture and  reciting the prayers of the faithful.

 

At the end of the Mass, Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the parishioners living in Moodubelle as well as in other parts of India and abroad. He thanked the concelebrant priests, the choir  and all those who had helped in the celebration of Christmas. He specially appreciated the young children who animated the liturgy and made an appeal to the parents to cooperate with the priests by sending their children to participate in liturgical services. 

 

The veneration of the Baby Jesus was conducted in a disciplined manner.

 

The church was illuminated for the Christmas festivities.

 

The Christmas Crib assembled by the ICYM members is one of the chief attractions of the Christmas celebration.

 

Following the solemn Christmas Mass, parishioners exchanged greetings with their family members, friends and acquaintances. Thereafter, they gathered in front of the portico of the church where cake and hot coffee was served to all sponsored by Joseph Martis and family of St. Francis Xavier II Ward. The ICYM members conducted various games and housie to entertain the gathering on the occasion of the celebration of the Christmas. A beautiful cake was auctioned on this occasion. After a competitive bidding the cake was  sold for Rs. 21,000/-

 

The winners of various Christmas related competition were given prizes. The winners were:

 

Greeting Cards Competition: 

A: PUC & Above: 1. Ancita D’Souza 2. Lizia D’Mello 3. Jemima Aranha B: 8th to 10th Std: 1. Sharon D’Souza 2. Jane Rebello 3. Melson Mathias C: 1st to 7th Std: 1. Alton Mendonca 2. Elona D’Souza 3. Jenelia Fernandes

 

Christmas Crib Competition: 1. Ashish K. Alva 2. Alexon Baretto 3. Shanon D’Souza

Singing Competition: 1. Sacred Heart Ward 2. St. Roque Ward 3. St. Joseph Ward

Star Competition: 1. St. Anna II Ward 2. St. Paul I Ward 3. St. John the Baptist II Ward

 

Maxim D’Sa and Neville D’Souza compered the programme.