Udupi/M’Belle: Christmas celebration evokes the spirit of peace, love and harmony
By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 25 December 2016: Christmas that evokes the spirit of peace, love and harmony was celebrated with devotion and great enthusiasm in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, 24 December 2016 from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm with carol singing, solemn feast mass and honouring achievers from the parish, auctioning of the Christmas cake, housie and other games conducted by the ICYM.
The church building began to glow with colourful lights as the sun light began to fade. Parishioners, young and old as well as children wearing best of their dresses began to arrive in the church right from 6 pm. As they entered the church premises they could feel the Christmas atmosphere with strings of stars hanging in front of the church, illuminated church building, Grotto and shrine of St. Lawrence as well as the huge crib thoughtfully and aesthetically prepared by ICYM members.
The Christmas celebration began at 6.30 pm with the choir trained by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas singing Carol hymns. Sr. Irene Viegas narrated the meaning and significance of Christmas in between the Carol hymns.
The solemn Christmas feast mass was concelebrated by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Alphonse D’Lima, Fr. William Andrade (OFM Cap), Fr. Naresh Lobo, Fr. Johnson D’Mello (OFM Cap), Msgr. Mathew D’Souza and Fr. Lawrence Cutinha as the chief celebrant. As the hymn ‘Gloria’ began, Fr. Lawrencce Cutinha unveiled the statue of infant Jesus resting in the cradle in front of the main altar.
Delivering the Christmas feast homily, Fr. Alphonse D’Lima said that Christmas feast means the feast of giving and sharing. Christmas can be understood in many ways. Christmas is the beginning of God’s plan for the salvation of humankind. He further said that Christmas spreads the spirit of peace, love and harmony.
At the end of the mass, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the parishioners both at home and abroad. Thereafter, people lined up to devoutly paid respect to the statue of Infant Jesus.
Soon after the feast mass was over, people assembled in front of the church greeting each other.
Two young achievers of the parish, Mrs. Carol D’Souza and Pranoy D’Souza were honoured by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Alphonse Alva, Mrs. Latha D’Mello-President and Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council and Vincent Fernandes-newly elected Vice President. Mrs. Carol D’Souza was felicitated for her achievement of being the winner of Gulf Voice of Mangalore in Qatar and Runners up in the final round that was held in Bahrain recently. Pranoy D’Souza secured first place in National Level Rural IT Quiz Competition.
Next, a huge white cake was auctioned to raise funds for the construction of the new parish hall. In the American style of auction the cake was eventually claimed by four friends-Hilda D’Souza, Juliet Saldanha, Precilla Monis and Wilma Rodrigues. The total of Rs. 41,200 was collected in the auction. The auction was organized by ICYM members and the auction was conducted by Lloyd Rebello and Prasanna D’Souza.
Later, Housie and other games were conducted by t he ICYM members.
Earlier, at around 7pm, Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA of Kaup Constituency visited the church, conveyed the Christmas greetings to Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and the parishioners and handed over a cheque for Rs. 6,25,000 being the second instalment of the Karnataka Government’s grant of Rs.12,50,000 for the renovation of the cemetery. Expressing his gratitude for the visit of the MLA, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas handed over Christmas a gift to Vinay Kumar Sorake.