Moodubelle: New year 2010 welcomed with devotion, prayer and hope

Report and Pictures by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 01 January 2010: As the old year 2009 was about end and the New Year 2010 was waiting to see the dawn, the parishioners of Moodubelle assembled in the Church at 7 PM on 31st December 2009 to bid good bye to the old year and welcome the New Year 2010 with prayer and hope.

To give thanks to God for all the good things that he had showered on the people of the parish, the Holy Hour was conducted by Fr. Arun Mendonca with reflection and devotion. While thanking the Lord for the blessings that He had showered on the faithful, Fr. Arun also helped the people to reflect upon their own shortcomings and iniquities.

Following the Holy Hour, the solemn Eucharistic celebration started led by Fr. William D’Souza, a native of Moodubelle who had offered his first Mass at Moodubelle following his ordination 42 years ago.

Fr. Joswey Fernandes said few words of felicitation to Fr. William D’Souza on the anniversary of his First Eucharistic celebration and wished the parishioners a Happy New Year 2010 on behalf of himself, his colleague priests of the parish and the guest priests, natives of Moodubelle who had come to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of St. Lawrence High School from 28th to 30th December 2009.

After the end of the mass, people exchanged customary greetings of New Year. Family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances greeted each other. However, the fun and frolic associated with the New Year that is witnessed in towns and cities was missing. May be it was too early for the real celebration, as the New Year was still three hours away and people went home after the mass to be with their near and dear ones and welcome the New year at 12 midnight.