Udupi/M’Belle: Carol Singing and Solemn Mass Marks the Christmas Celebration

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

Udupi/M’Belle, 24 Dec 2020: In spite of the apprehension  regarding the pandemic of Covid 19, Christmas was celebrated in different parishes of Udupi Diocese on the evening of Thursday, 24 December 2020 with Carol singing and solemn feast mass.

 

In St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, Carol singing by the well trained choir commenced at 6.30 pm. While Fr. Jithesh Castelino, Assistant Parish Priest narrated the background of each of the hymn that was sung by the choir, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest and composer of many hymns conducted the choir throughout the Carol singing. The spirit of the Christmas echoed through the church with the melodious singing by the choir and well-meaning narration by Fr. Jithesh Castelino.

 

The solemn Christmas feast mass started at 7 pm. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas was the chief celebrant. Fr. Jithesh Castelino, Dr. Lawrence D’Souza and three guest priests concelebrated the feast mass.

 

In his homily, Fr. Jithesh Castelino explained the meaning of the scriptures of the day and stressed on the significance of the Christmas by emphasizing on the spirit of service by narrating the example of St. Damien of Molokai, also called Father Damien who was born on January 3, 1840 at Tremelo, Belgium and died on April 15, 1889 at  Molokai, Hawaii [U.S.]. He was canonized on October 11, 2009. St. Damien was a Belgian priest who devoted his life to missionary work among the Hawaiian lepers and became a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

St. Damien Damien, known for his compassion, provided spiritual, physical, and emotional comfort to those suffering from the debilitating and incurable disease. He served as both pastor and physician to the colony and undertook many projects to better the conditions there. He improved water and food supplies and housing and founded two orphanages, receiving help from other priests for only 6 of his 16 years on Molokai. In 1884 he contracted leprosy and refused to leave for treatment.

 

After the recital of ‘I Believe….’ Fr. Clement Mascarenhas unveiled the statue of Baby Jesus and blessed it by incensing. After the end of the mass, faithful paid respect to the statue of Baby Jesus.

 

Fr. Clement Mascarenhas conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the parishioners and expressed gratitude to Fr. Jithesh Castelino for carrying on the responsibilities of the parish. He also appreciated the ICYM and YCS youth for carrying the message of Christmas to all the families of the parish through their carol singing visits during the past few days.

 

 

The newly painted church was elegantly decorated by colourful electric lights and the crib prepared by ICYM members added to the aura of the Christmas celebration.

 

The ICYM memebrs organized the prize distribution programme for the winners of Crib, Star and Greeting Cards competitions followng the end of the feast mass. The following are the winners of these competitions:

 

Crib Competition: 1. Mrs. Shanti Alva, 2. Mrss. Eliza Simon Mendonca, 3. Elroy Pinto.

 

Greeting cards below 18 Years: 1. Liza D’Mello, 2. Jemima Aranha, 3. Larisha Menezes.

 

Greeting Cards Above 18 Years: 1. Melissa D’Souza, 2. Merlin Mendonca, 3. Inish Castelino.

 

Wardwise Christmas Star: 1. St. Anna II Ward, 2. St. Peter and St. John the Baptist.

 

Cake Draw was won by Prinston D’Souza.