News & Pics: Praveen Lobo, Omzoor
Daijiworld Media Network – Israel (SB)
Israel, Dec 26: The Konkani speaking people in Israel celebrated Christmas in three places namely Herziliya, Tel-Aviv-Yaffo and Haifa.
In Herziliaya the mass was held on Thursday December 24 at 6.00 pm. Fr Sunil from Miyar, Karkala, was the main celebrant and Fr Praveen, Nakre, Karkala, priest in-charge for the Konkani people in Israel, concelebrated and preached. There were about 600 faithful gathered with lots of love and devotion to celebrate the day.
After the mass the cake was cut and distributed. A lucky draw was conducted and prizes were distributed to the winners of the crib and Christmas tree competition. The youngsters enjoyed the Baila dance to their hearts’ content.
In Tel Aviv-Yaffo, the mass was held at parish Church, St Anthony on Thursday December24 at 9.00 pm. Fr Praveen celebrated the mass while Fr Sunil concelebrated and preached. There were almost 1,000 faithful gathered for the mass. The people made an offering for the education of the Franciscan formation in India. At the end of the mass Fr Praveen distributed gifts to the parish priest and the other collaborators.
The children born here in Israel were specially remembered and given special gifts. There was a cake auction conducted and Maria Fernandes claimed the highest bid, for 3,600 NIS.
In Haifa, the mass was celebrated at 10.00 am on Friday December 25. There were about 150 people and it was celebrated by Fr Praveen and Sunil.