Moodubelle: ICYM members spread Christmas spirit through various activities

Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 28 December 2011:  The ICYM Unit of Moodubelle Parish has been active in many ways such as Talents Day on September 8, Blood Donation drive and Christmas season. During the Christmas season, the ICYM had mostly worked in the background by organizing  competitions in different aspects of Christmas such as Christmas Crib and Greeting Cards on individual basis and preparation of Star which was Ward wise competition.  For all competitions the criteria were creativity, use of resources and presentation. On Christmas day, the ICYM members also organized the presentation of Christmas  tableau at different places, thus spreading the Christmas spirit.

 

For the Christmas Crib competition, there were 18 participants whereas for Christmas Card there were 10 competitors. In the preparation of Star   10 Wards had taken part. On December 23, 2011, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha and Sr. Vineetha assessed the Greeting cards and Stars  in the mini hall of the church and awarded first position in the preparation of Greeting Cards to Vineetha Menezes of Holy Family Ward, second position to Sumita Lobo of St. Peter II Ward and third position to Desmon Alva of St. John Baptist I Ward.

 

 

 

In the preparation of Star, St. John the Baptist I Ward secured the first position, Isidore Ward secured second position. Rest of the participants were given consolation prizes.

 

The Christmas Cribs were assessed on December 24, 2011 by the senior members of the ICYM. They  visited the houses of 18 competitors for the assessment  in more than ten wards. After the assessment the Christmas Cribs of the following individuals were given the prizes. First prize was awarded to  Ashish Alva and Bleston Aranha, second prize to Allan D’Souza and third prize to Juliana D’Souza.

 

Prizes for all the competitions were distributed by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira and Fr. Lancy Saldanha  on Saturday, December 24, 2011 after the auctioning of the cake and housie following the feast mass.

 

The ICYM members secured the sponsorship from Mrs. Jacinta Victor D’Souza for the Christmas cake that was auctioned after the feast mass. The cake was claimed by Edward Leena Aranha and family, St. Anne I Ward for Rs. 16,000/- which is the double amount as the initial bid was Rs. 8,000/- The Aranha family distributed the cake among those parishioners who were present at the time of the auction.  Royston Alva, President of ICYM said that out of this amount certain amount will be contributed towards the renovation of the Middday Meal (Bisiyuta) facilities of St. Lawrence Composite PU College. 

The ICYM members organized the Christmas tableau  with the message of peace, love and brotherhood at five different places-Marne, Thirlapalke, Moodubelle, Mattar and Naalkubeedhi on Decmber 25, 2011 from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm. The school children were trained by the Sisters of the Loreto Convent.  According to Alwyn Lobo, Vice President of the ICYM, around 1,200 people witnessed this Christmas tableau. The ICYM distributed slices of cake to all those who gathered to watch the Christmas tableau. Cake was also distributed to the students of Manasa, Pamboor and the inmates of the Sionna Ashram at Kanajar. Glenjoy Alva-Treasurer of the ICYM said that after a gap of three years the Christmas tableau was organized by the ICYM this year. 

 

The ICYM has planned a grand variety stall during the annual parish feast on 3 and 4 of January 2012. They are hopeful that the parishioners and their guests will participate in various lucky games and other activities.