Christmas Celebration with the People

Today, our community at Dehon Prema Nilayam celebrated Christmas with the People of Gorantla parish. People belonging to four mission substations (Valanghanni Nagar, Mary Priya Nagar, Ponnekalu, & Jonnalagedda) joined us to share the joy of the birth of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

The celebration began with the special program for children at 9:00am. They were given the opportunity to express their talents. The children responded well and displayed their unique talents with joy and happiness. Our SCJ student candidates shared some lighter moments with the children, who were 150 in number, and made them really feel at home, as they began the celebration of Holy Mass.

The Solemn Holy Mass began with the arrival of the parish priest, Fr. Joji, and our fathers, Frs Valerio, Guntoro, and Adrian, concelebrated. Fr. Joji, in his Christmas message emphasized the faith that we need to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of those around us. He also stressed the need for being in solidarity with those who are under-privileged and disadvantaged in the society that we live.

After the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist we had some cultural programs. Our SCJ students put up some very entertaining performances, and so did the children belonging to various substations of the parish. Then we gave them a simple meal, and also distributed small packages of sweets. A small group of physically and mentally challenged children also were present, and they had some delightful moments in the company of Fr. Valerio, and our SCJ students as well.

Overall it was a fantastic day with many enriching experiences. We all could feel the immense joy and happiness deep down after having shared it with the people around us. Including the children, over 400 people came to take part in this simple and meaningful celebration in our community.

-Br. Michael Augustine, SCJ