News: Vandasue Rodrigues
Mangalore, Dec 5: “Christmas with Jesus for the big and the small, Christmas with Jesus its Christmas for all”.
This was the tagline of the programme, Christmas with Jesus, that reverberated with dual significance. While it ushered in the spirit of yuletide for over 500 children, it also bought in an awareness among the kids, that though they may come from different social and economic backgrounds they are bound together by camaraderie sharing and universal spirit of love.
The programme was held at Fatima Retreat House. This is the ninth year of the programme. The brain child of Phyllis Maria D’Costa who along with her team of Trinity Mangalore, Vimala Lobo, Mabel Rodrigues, Rajni Lobo-Patrao, Peggy Gonsalves, Trishma Pinto, Michelle D’Costa, and Preeti Devdas conducted the programme. The organizers were aided by the Jesuit scholastics from Asha Kiran, members of the Carmel ward of Milagres Church and an army of volunteers who dedicated their time, patience and resources to make the event memorable for the little ones.
Children participating came from various schools in Mangalore and were joined by 94 students from Infant Mary’s Home, a residence for students of an economically weaker background. The atmosphere was congenial with the joy and vibrancy of the youngsters infecting all those present.
The programme began with a Eucharistic celebration by Fr Ronnie Prabhu, director Fatima Retreat House, whose message to the children was while external manifestation of joy has its own place at Christmas time, what is more important is that children “come dressed in their hearts”. The gospel was enacted in a unique tableau of the wedding of Cana. The mass was followed by action songs and a beautiful enactment of the Nativity tableau, by the girls of Infant Mary’s Home to the accompaniment of quintessential carols of the season. The choir was accompanied by lilting melodies on the musical instruments, by Vimala Lobo, Vernette Rodrigues and Jennings Ananda.
The arrival of Santa Claus, Fr Christmas to the delight of all the children was the culmination of the evenings programme. Santa Claus distributed gifts to all the youngsters present. The joy of the season indeed brought a smile to the faces of all the children.
Ending on a personal note, the enthusiasm and commitment of the organizers along with their ideal of making a difference to society is commendable indeed. The entire concept of the programme was to convey the true meaning of the season to children – the importance of the Christian values of sharing, compassion and fraternity. Very often we make disparaging remarks of the value system of our youth. However very little is done in concrete measure to ameliorate this situation. Christmas with Jesus was a little step towards a healthier future of human society.