Moodubelle: Christmas spirit warms up the cold night and spreads the message of peace
By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 24 December 2011: Though it was cold evening progressing towards darkness and chill, the Christmas spirit warmed up the atmosphere with devotional Carol singing, solemn Christmas Mass and excitement following the church service on Saturday, December 24, 2011. The long wait for the joyful celebration was over and people in their best of dresses thronged the church to spiritually enrich themselves and later participate in social celebration of the great feast of Christmas.
The exterior of the church building was glowing with colourful electric lighting that was appropriate for the festive mood. The interior of the church was filled to capacity by 6.45 pm when the Church Choir under the leadership of Br. Mahesh D’Souza sang beautifully the Konkani Christmas Carols. The Solemn Christmas Feast Mass commenced at 7.15 pm with six priests coming in procession to the main altar led by the altar servers. Fr. Charles Menezes, a native of Moodubelle and the National Director of YCS was the chief celebrant and was assisted by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. William D’Souza and Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap). Fr. Maxim Pinto delivered homily with Christmas message of love, peace and justice.
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Joswey Fernandes extended the greetings of Christmas to all parishioners. Mrs. Meera Lobo-editor of the parish magazine “Suvaad” read out the names of the winners of the competitions held in painting and poetry writing. The prizes were distributed by Fr. Joswey Fernandes.
The statue of Baby Jesus was taken in procession and was laid devoutly at the Christmas Crib prepared with imagination by ICYM volunteers under the guidance of Br. Mahesh D’Souza, Br. Roy Lobo and Br. Ivan Martis near the Grotto. A huge cake, in the shape of the church costing around Rs. 8,000/-was later auctioned by the ICYM members. After hectic bidding, the cake was claimed by Jeetesh Aranha of Edmer for Rs. 16,000/-There was also housie game to for those parishioners who stayed back for some fun and entertainment.
Dear Marita, You are harsh on us Madam Marita Lobo, FYI ICYM members first target the people who comes from Gulf for the donations. Instead of targeting directly the members from Gulf why can’t you give some solution to strengthen the ICYM. I hope during your next visit to Moodubelle ICYM might get some decorative lights. About Suvad, there is editorial team is there to look after these issue. They only target the advertisers for their financial target, now a day you only find advertisements and some messages from the editorial team. You know we Belleans need to grow up, our mind set need to change; Church Administrators need to use their brain. If you go through Dr. Norbert comments you might understand what he is talking about. Dear Oldies take a back seat please groom our youngsters. Vijay excellent analysis. Keep it up Bellevision
Dear Marita Lobo, do not be so emotional. I am also a ICYM member and it hurts when such a great organization of youth is not able to reach its goals.
In this platform of bellevision website no one saying bad about the handful of ICYM members as they are doing a great job and we must salute them. Given the resources, they have done a good job and recent report on this same website is the testimony for their efforts.
But the question is why only 10 – 15 members in a parish which is having about 700 catholic homes.
Read again the opinion of Dr.Norbert Lobo. Our youth are used less. Use them properly and professionally and then you see the result.
I have seen at least 150 – 200 youth in the age of 16 – 24 years attend Sunday morning 7.30 a mass, then why we can not get even 50 members for ICYM.
I am sure there are more than 300 youth in Belle who are eligible to join ICYM.
We need to go to the root cause and need to see why our youth is not joining such a valuable organization which can help them immensely in their career and life ahead.
Firstly there need to be someone who need to take the lead and also need to guide them. The assistant parish priest used to take this responsibility earlier as he is the one generally close to the youth.
This is not happening now in Moodubelle. When a priest calls the youth thru his parents, I am sure no parent will say No.
Secondly, it is equally the responsibility of every parent to send their children to organizations such as ICYM, YCS … etc. Only excelling academics will not enough to succeed in today competitive environment. Getting distinction but not able to face an job interview, not able to face a group discussion, facing a large group of people, stage confidence … etc very much needed. And this is very much freely taught when you are in ICYM. There is a perception that when young boys and girls go to ICYM, they get busy in other activities which is not true. A young boy or a girl can do anything when they are outside the ICYM also and we are seeing it daily. Hence let us remove such a bad misconception from parents mind.
Let the ICYM be in touch with old members also and every ICYM old member wanted to see this great organization reach higher heights as they have all immensely benefitted from this organization. I would like to take a few examples of persons who have excelled in their respective fields due to the support and training from ICYM, they are – Dr.Norbert Lobo, Dr.Dennis Fernandes, Dr.Alwyn Dsa, Fr.Charles Menezes, Fr.Naresh, Fr.Sunil, Raphael Aranha, Immanuel Carnelio master, Lecturer Jacintha Lobo, Mark Fernandes, Baptist Sequeira, Elias Dsouza, Valerian Alva, Ivan Menezes, Godwin Dsouza, Sannu Monis, Thomas Alva, Shanti Castelino, Akhil and many more …… the list goes one. Ask any one of these persons and they will tell you what miracles ICYM did in their life. These old members are ready to support the organization at every stage, but please be in touch with them.
Finally, what we need is the desire to excel in life and not the chalta hai attitude of parents and youth. Only mobiles, bikes will not be enough to excel in life today. Come forward youth, whole world is ready to embrace you.
Thanks a lot for all ICYM well wishers. we appreciate your valuable comments. few things that we observed from above comments. 1.Thanks for keeping a good hope on us. seniors we are thank full for your support to ICYM. 2.In any program related to Christmas we never said that Crib was done by ICYM, it’s mistake from media. 3.From last 4 to 5 years ICYM was not allowed to make crib in Belle. Truly speaking the present ICYM members are unaware for what reason it was taken away from us. Our for-seniors can you please tell us why it happened and for what reason. 4.Regarding cake auction its a only big way for ICYM to earn income and we don t want left it so easily. 5.All are blaming that belle youth lost their interest in ICYM and in church. We agree with this point because, there are hardly 15 members in ICYM but it doesn’t mean that members who are there in icym are not interested in the work. Just remember that, cuz of them ICYM is still running in Belle. 6.We need all your support, parish is ours icym is ours lets join together to make it more strong. Encourage YOUR CHILDREN S,RELATIVES,BROTHERS,SISTERS FRIENDS to join ICYM insted of misleading them about ICYM. THANK YOU...
Lots of you have commented a lot about the way it was celebrated n about the boring activities of the ICYM. Well guyz may u then plz write your valuable and entertaining suggestions so that in the upcoming year they may be considered. I know it for sure the ICYM (present), the would be members, as well as our parish priests, and the educated lot of the parishoners are reading ur comments and they will see if ur suggestions are executed in the year 2012. Lets hope u great critics could also help in lifting up the xmas spirit n the celebrations next year. I m sure 90% of you will be attending in the year to come as well. You want bring a revolution then be a part of it, and not the audiences.