Christmas celebration in Siddhpur Mission
The
lighting of Advent candles and animation of the Liturgy by different families
marked the beginning of the proximate preparation for Christmas in Siddhpur
Parish. All the faithful took part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for
preparing themselves for the coming of the Lord. The carol group of the Parish
went around caroling with Santa spreading the Christmas message to the Catholic
families through prayers and Scripture readings. Martin & Philip Fernandes,
the vibrant youth of our parish prepared a crib on a boat to symbolize our
faith journey. Christmas midnight Eucharist
was celebrated with grandeur. Before the Eucharist Fr. Xavier James explained
the symbols in the celebration and catechized everyone about the importance of
the Year of the Eucharist. Keeping St. John Vianney in mind and his saying on
the Eucharist, “Jesus is hidden from our eyes under the humility of His
Sacrament to try our Faith”, accordingly each faithful had a flame in their
hands which symbolized their faith in the Eucharist and trusting that the same
Eucharistic Lord whom we adore in the crib is present in the Holy Eucharist and
thus they placed the flame before the altar. After the Eucharist, birthday of
two of our parishioners was celebrated and everyone exchanged gifts with their
advent friend and it was a very exhilarating moment. On Christmas day festive
lunch was served for all the parishioners which was preceded by family games
and distribution of Christmas gifts to everyone present. We were fortunate to
have our beloved Archbishop with us during this occasion which doubled our joy.
In the evening the neighbours of Fr. Xavier James came to wish and the children
of the neighbourhood enjoyed games and received a gift which was very thrilling
for them.
On
the 31st December, all the parishioners had gathered again to
thank God for the year that went by with hymns and spontaneous prayers and
everyone took part in it. One could really experience the praying community of
the early Christians. Exactly at 12.00 a.m. on
the 1st of January we began the Holy Eucharist to celebrate the
solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and to welcome the New Year
2014 in a spiritual atmosphere. During the Eucharist, everyone carried a flame
and after praying a short prayer they offered it before the altar which gave
significance to the Eucharistic year and the New Year. In the evening a
condolence prayer meeting was held to pay our tribute to Fr. Rocky D’silva, the
Vicar General of the Archdiocese. (2nd Jan. 2014)
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