Report and pics by Ancy Paladka
for Daijiworld News Network, Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 26: St Joseph Church, Mira Roa, the third largest parish in the Archdiocese of Mumbai with a Catholic population of 17,500 people, celebrated Christmas in an special way this year.

More than 15,000 people attended two services held at different timings for convenience.  Well-managed liturgy by the Small Christian community (SCC) animators and lectors and a melodious choir were the highlights.

Main celebrant Fr Rudolf V D' Souza delivered a a thought-provoking homily. Frs Elias D' Souza,  Deepak Thomas K J OCD,  Alfred Menezes (Director Anubhav) and Victor Fernandes (Assistant Director – Anubhav) co-celebrated the mass.

Crib at the entrance of the gate prepared with the leadership of Placid and Sayanora Fernandes as the added attraction of the celebration.

The whole ground and the church was decorated by SCC Co-ordinators  Johnson Saldanha and Pauline D' Souza and animators, secretaries and joint secretaries, altar servers, Precilla D' Souza, Bridget Menezes, David D'Silva and Paul D' Souza.

The following were released on the occasion:

1. The St Joseph parish yellow directory: (Editor Leroy Santos; concept and execution of the yellow pages by Fr. Rudolf  V D' Souza and Leroy Santos), the first of its kind and magnitude in the Archdiocese of Mumbai, with approximately 222 pages, which contains: history, Associations, Cells, Amenities, Infrastructure, information about the Feasts, Sacraments, ID card numbers of the parishioners, SCC community information, Landmark of the Zones and communities, Religious institutions around and more information on the Church activities etc. The book is sponsored by the well wisher parishioners through ads. Maxim Mathias, managing director Roshan Electrical Co Ltd and proprietor of Henbridge Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd released the directory.

2. 15th book of Fr Rudolf V D'Souza OCD by name: The Dynamism of Spirtitual Growth, 250 pages. An Exegetical Study on St. John of the Cross, by Dhyanavana Publications. Ben Kernan,  Florida USA released the book.

3. An audio cassette:  Dovor Vishwa Jesucher by Denis Gonsalves and Hillary Sequiera, Mira Road East,  was released by Sr Johanna Brandstaetter, Holy Cross Sister – Mira Road East.

Games of housie, with prizes of total value Rs 7,000 were held.

Parish priest Fr Rudolf thanked everyone who contributed for the meaningful celebration of Christmas mass.