INFOCUS media release
Campbell, California USA, Dec 7: Unlike as in Europe the pews are still full at churches in the United States, Fr George Aranha said as he preached to an ardent crowd of Indian Catholics who had come together to celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier and also give an early welcome to the Christmas season.
Indian Catholics of the greater San Francisco Bay area came together on December 3 at the Saint Thomas of Canterbury Church in Campbell, California at the foothills of the beautiful Los Gatos mountains. They celebrated a solemn Mass at the church. Children sang in the all children choir and read the readings. The children sang Indian hymns. Fr George Aranha preached a sermon on the challenges of faith in today's world.
The mass was followed by an eventful celebration in the adjacent church hall. There was a potluck lunch with a wide assortment of Indian dishes. To reminisce, the luncheon had a true taste like back home in India with traditional dishes like Goan Sorpotel and Mangalorean Sannas.
Santa Claus made an eagerly anticipated, very early Christmas visit. Kids queued up to him to present their wish-lists for Christmas. Some kids were seen well prepared with written lists too. Presents were distributed to the kids by Santa along with a warm Santa hug and 'Be Good' advice.
The dance floor was brought alive with some vibrant Indian music. The young and the very young all jived to the rhythmic Konkani Music that reverberated in the hall to make it a celebration to remember.
The Indian Catholic community of the San Francisco bay area looks forward to INFOCUS community events. The members get to socialize and relive some of the traditions of their Catholic upbringing back in India. Importantly it provides their kids who are growing in the United States an opportunity to feel for themselves a sense of India and its rich Christian tradition.
INFOCUS is the community group of Indian Catholics in the greater San Francisco bay. INFOCUS has a diverse membership of Catholics from India with a large number of Goan and Mangalorean families.
Fr George Aranha, the pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Palo Alto, California, is the spiritual guide. Cresentia Lobo, wife of Allwyn Lobo, is the resource person.
If you are living in the greater San Francisco Bay area you and your family welcome to attend the INFOCUS monthly Catholic Mass and community celebration. The next Catholic Mass and community gathering will be held on Sunday January 7 at 12:30 pm in Saint Thomas of Canterbury Church in Campbell, California.
If you are interested in participating please contact Mrs. Cresentia Lobo at infocusgroup@yahoo.com or ph# (408) 374-3692.
Celebration of SFX Feast Elsewhere:
California Calling !