Devotion and fervour marks the celebration of Christmas in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 24 Dec 2023: Christmas was celebrated with devotion and fervour  in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Sunday, 24 December 2023 at 6.30 pm with the singing of Christmas Carols. The little children opened the Christmas Carol singing and was followed by the Church choir, trained by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza’ The choir rendered the Christmas Carols with melodious voice accompanied by Ashish Alva and Glen Rebello playing the keyboard. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza explained the meaning and historical background of each and every Carol.

 

The solemn Christmas Mass began at 7 pm with the procession of Altar Servers, children animating the liturgy and four priests. Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of Mooddubelle was the chief celebrant of the solemn Christmas Mass. Other concelebrants included Fr. Pradeep cardoza, Fr. Charles Furtado (OFM Cap) from Assisi Nilaya and Fr. Dancy Martis (OFM Cap).

 

As the Gloria was sung by the choir, the chief celebrant unveiled the statue of Infant Jesus and incensed signifying the birth of Jesus Christ.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. George D’Souza  highlighted the importance of the feast of Christmas. He narrated the incidents from the Old Testament and how God promised redemption of the Israelites from bondage and slavery. He further said that God loved the humankind so much that He sent his only son to redeem the humankind from sin and suffering.

 

The liturgy of the Solemn Christmas Mass was animated by children well trained by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza. The children manifested their maturity while reading the passages from the Holy scripture and reciting the prayers of the faithful.

 

At the end of the Mass, Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle conveyed the greetings of Christmas to all the parishioners living in Moodubelle as well as in other parts of India and abroad. He thanked the concelebrant priests, the choir and all those who had helped in the celebration of Christmas. He specially appreciated the young children who animated the liturgy and made an appeal to the parents to cooperate with the priests by sending their children to participate in liturgical services.

 

The veneration of the Baby Jesus was conducted in a disciplined manner.

 

 

The church was illuminated for the Christmas festivities.

 

The Christmas Crib assembled by the ICYM members under the guidance of their Animator Vincent Fernandes is one of the chief attractions of the Christmas celebration.

 

Following the solemn Christmas Mass, parishioners exchanged greetings with their family members, friends and acquaintances. Thereafter, they gathered in front of the portico of the church where cake and hot coffee sponsored by Pritish D’Sa-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council was served to all. The ICYM members conducted various games and housie to entertain the gathering on the occasion of the celebration of the Christmas. A beautiful cake was auctioned on this occasion.

 

Fr. George D’Souza along with Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Pritish D’Sa, ICYM Animator Mrs. Shanti Alva and Youth Commission Convener Valerian Noronha and ICYM President Wyola sliced the Christmas cake commencing the programme organized by the ICYM members.

 

Following the auctioning of the beautifully decorated Cake the game of Housie-Housie was conducted and prizes were given away.

 

Prizes were distributed  to the winners of the various Wardwise Christmas related competitions  such as Star competition, Crib competition and Greeting Cards competition.

 

Towards the end of the programme, Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA of Kaup visited the Church and conveyed Christmas greetings  and message to all the parishioners.

 

Ivan Menezes compered the programme.