Holy crib and stars welcome faithful to Christmas mass tonight

The Christian community nationwide will welcome the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ, son of God, at midnight mass tonight. A canopy of green, red and white decorations along with a flourish of golden stars seem to shower heavenly blessing, finds Bella Jaisinghani.

Holy Family Church, Chakala



This church in Andheri East has been beautifully decorated in the colours of Christmas. Fr Dean Fernandes SJ says an annual Bal Mela was held for street children apart from the parish triduum and feast whose theme was 'Making good families better’. A night vigil with many activities was a highlight. Parishioners distributed food hampers to the housebound and a special Christmas Eve mass will be held for them. On Dec 24, carol singing at 10.00 pm will be followed by mass at 10.30 pm on the school grounds.


St Michael's Church, Mahim


Christmas parties for children and youth, and an X'Mas ball, reflect the season of joy at St Michael. Asst priest Fr Cliffton Mendonca said, "The theme of Christmas and Advent is 'One Heart, Many Joys'. This includes 12 events starting with 'The Joy of'. Our youth have gone all out with decorations using streamers, lights and balls. The church facade has a big silhouette light display of the holy family travelling upon a donkey. We have natural and artificial X'Mas trees, and three cribs -- Past, Present and Future." Ration was donated to150 families and an outreach to transgenders is on schedule. Midnight mass Dec 24 is at 11.00 pm after carols at 10.30 pm. Christmas Day masses in English, Hindi and Konkani will begin at 6.30 am.


Our Lady of Victories Church, Mahim


History and spectacle come alive at Victoria Church. Fr Calistus Fernandes said, "Christmas is God's loving visit to humanity, a conspiracy of love, prepared through the season of Advent. Through the Advent wreath initiative, nearly 75 wreaths were formed by small clusters of families who gather weekly for prayer, symbolising God’s visit among homes. Parishioners also observe a Secret Santa devotion through silent prayer, while children prepare home cribs and go carol singing. These simple initiatives help the parish joyfully welcome the Christ Child." Midnight mass is indoors at 10.00 pm Dec 24. An hour of carol singing by the church choir will begin at 9.00 pm. Christmas Day masses start 7.00 am.


Robinson Methodist Marathi Central Church, Byculla


This historic church enters its centenary year. Rev Santosh Shere said, "Our church completed 99 years on Dec 12 so we are celebrating our centenary. We have 256 families, and our members include doctors, nurses, teachers, IT technicians and businessmen. Some are working in the film industry as musicians and composers." Music instills fellowship through carol singing and competitions. Gifts of food, blankets and other essentials were presented to poor and homeless people, old age homes, daycare centres and hostels in villages. Robinson Church invites the poor in on Christmas Day and felicitates police officers.


St Anne's Church, Mazgaon


Always a visual delight at Christmastime, St Anne's came alive early with the theme 'Being Christ to the World'. The church grounds are beautifully adorned with stars, lights, Christmas tree and holy crib. Fr John Lobo, parish priest, said a community event Yuletide @Annes was a resounding success Dec 6. Young parishioners went carol singing Dec 13, and 40 children attended a Christmas party Dec 14. St Anne's distributed hampers and financial support to 30 families, and gift hampers to 50 homebound parishioners. Christmas mass is at 10.00 pm in the open ground, with 900 people expected. Mass in English will be interspersed with readings and hymns in Konkani, Marathi and Hindi.





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