Media release
Canada, Jan 4: ‘Praise Adonai’, the 8th Annual event organized at Don Bosco Secondary School in Etobicoke by Sts. Peter and Paul Prayer Group of Mississauga, Canada on December 31st, was a spiritually thrilling success that stirred the spirituality of over 800 faithfuls of multi-cultural background who attended despite the freezing weather conditions from various parts of Canada. The main purpose of this event was to CELEBRATE the exuberant joy and presence of God in their lives. Undoubtedly it was a life changing experience for all who were present.
With the theme ‘AND YOU SHALL CALL HIM JESUS’ (Luke 1:31), the evening’s program triggered off at 6:30 in the evening with the recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by a warm welcome and introduction by the servant leader of Sts.Peter & Paul Prayer Group, Olympio Fernandes. This was followed by the melodious and angelic singing of the prayer-group youth. The powerful Praise and Worship led by Ray D’Sa and Desiree D’Cunha was truly soul elevating and gave the packed audience a heavenly experience.
Sr.Hazel D’Souza, the main speaker for the evening, gave a powerful talk on turning to God. Sr.Hazel, a renowned preacher from “Tabor Divine Retreat Ashram” in Mumbai, flew-in to Canada especially for the occasion. In her first talk she gave a clarion call to everyone to turn away from their sins and to build-up a strong relationship with the Lord. ‘Christianity is not a religion but it is a relationship’, she said. Her spirit-filled talk led the congregation to repent at the final hours of the year 2009.
Next was a powerful testimony by Ajit Kumar Leons who recently immigrated to Canada from India. He testified the miraculous healing from a deadly sickness when he turned to the Lord from his worldly life.
This was followed by delicious & sumptuous dinner catered by ‘Konkan Delight’, Canada’s renowned Caterers.
In her second talk, Sr. Hazel shared a deep meaning of the Holy Eucharist and also narrated the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. After that, a reflective skit was presented by the prayer-group youth based on the theme of the evening ‘And you shall call Him JESUS’. The heart-warming presentation from them brought tears in the eyes of many. Spectators were totally spell bound on seeing their great performance.
A minute silence was observed to pray for the departed souls of faithful during 2009 and for the soul of Melanie, D/o Cecilia & Deacon Carlos (liaison for the Charismatic Renewal in the Arch-Diocese of Toronto) who passed away on December 24, 2009.
At midnight, when the clock heralded the dawn of the New Year 2010, all who were present exchanged New Years’ wishes with great joy.
Holy Mass was celebrated at midnight by Fr. Anthony Thekkanath and actively participated by all who attended the event. Fr. Anthony was the Director of the Divine Retreat Ashram, Potta, India before he went to Rome for further studies. He spent a year in Rome and received his Masters in Theology there. He has been the Director of the Divine Prayer Center in New Jersey, USA for the past four years. He works closely with Fr. Mathew Naikomparambil V.C. and other visiting preachers conducting Retreats and Healing Services in U.S.A. He has also conducted retreats in Canada, UK, India, and various other countries all over the world. His humor-filled homily with a divine message for the New Year was a great nourishment for all who were present. The superb Prayer-Group choir led by Olympio truly helped the congregation to celebrate the first Holy Eucharist in the New Year with great devotion.
The program concluded with a healing session conducted by Fr. Anthony and Sr.Hazel. Olympio Fernandes, the acclaimed compere who compered the entire event, also raised the Vote of Thanks.
Hats off to the professional and qualified Sound Engineer Rudy D'Souza S/o Valley and Rita D'Souza of Mangalore origin who setup a perfect sound system for a professional event like 'Praise Adonai'.
There was great joy among the audience who spent their time in the presence of the Lord in the final hours of the year 2009 and in the early hours of the New Year 2010.