Report by Dr Eugene D'Souza, Dombivli
Pictures by Deepak D'Souza

Dombivili, Dec 18: The Seventh talent search programme of the Infant Jesus Parish, Dombivli was held on Sunday December 16, which showcased the singing, dancing and acting talents of the Sunday School children and zonal youth groups of the parish.

Aptly titled 'Orion',  the name of the famous constellation of stars, the theme of the talent search programme, "Reach to the Stars" was the brainchild of the late Fr Thomas Kuruvilla, and Fr Nigel Barett, previous parish and assistant parish priests respectively, who devised a method to provide a platform to the young children and the youth of the parish not only to channel their energy, but also to tap their hidden talents in various forms of performing arts and provide them an opportunity in personality development and organizational skills. The entire programme had been devised, organized and enacted by the youth of the parish.

In its seventh year, the 'Orion' talent search programme had given an opportunity to a large number of children and youth to manifest their skills in singing, choreography, dancing, writing and directing skits and one-act plays with social message, and acting as well. The Sunday school teachers and youth animators had taken a lot of time in training the children and youth in variety of programmes. The parents of the participants in the talent search programme and other parishioners thoroughly enjoyed the evening of entertainment.

The present parish and assistant parish priests, Fr Peter D'Cunha and Fr Tony Robinson continued the tradition of encouraging the children, youth and their parents in participating in the talent search programme in large numbers. Fr Peter D'Cunha surprised the parishioners by acting in two small skits put up by the Political and Civic Cell of the parish. His gesture of active participation in the programme has greatly endeared him to the parish community.