CEC CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER

CEC Christmas Get-Together at the Sacred Heart Church Parish Hall

We leave Christ out of Christmas and simply say Xmas. The Festival of Christmas has now only Come to mean Santa Claus, Christmas trees, presents, reindeer and fun and laughter--- but no Jesus. So, let us bring back Jesus and present him to the world like Mary, exhorted Fr. Thampi Kayala of the Holy Cross Fathers, while making a PowerPoint presentation titled” Jesus, Birth of hope,” during the CEC Christmas Get-together, at the SACRED Hearts Church Parish Hall, on December,10/2011

Life is full of waiting. There is desperation, doubt, anger and confusion. Like the woman, the girl and priest, in audio-visual presentation.And also like the alcoholic, the man on the park bench. And just as a pregnant woman bonds with a child within her even without seeing the infant, the Lord is born in us in all situations. The Lord will be born again and there will be hope again for all of us. Thus, ended well put together media presentation, with commentary by Fr. Thampi.

The celebrations on the theme, “For to us, a child is born. To us, a son is Given!” (Is.9:6), got off to a scintillating start with a hymn in Kannada, “Ella Kaaladholu”, mellifluously rendered by Fr.J. Arokianathan, CEC Spiritual Director. A beautifully decorated traditional lamp was formally lit by the Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev.Dr. Bernard Moras, formally inaugurating the evening programme. This was followed by Fr. J. Arokianathan, Sr. C.L.Clare dsp, CEC Directress, Ms Cynthia D'Souza and Mr. Mark Manohar (both CEC co-workers) completing the ceremony. The children from the Convent of St. Brigitta launched into a lively invocation dance based on the adoration of Baby Jesus. The joyous, folk-influenced dance, set to a Tamil song, was rendered with zest and vigour by the colorfully clothed children.

Soon,it was time for scripture reading. Ms Dorothy Miranda, read a passage from the Bible (Is:9:2-6) in Kannada, presenting the scene of the Lord’s birth. Sr. Michelle Mathias, fsp, led the gathering into intercessory prayer with the interactive response “The Light of Christ has come into the World”.

Fr.J.Arokianathan, in his scripture reflection, spoke about the significance of light. He said that Jesus Christ came to light our lives when the world was blind with sin. Quoting from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 9,Fr. Nathan said the people of Israel were living in darkness and thought that they were abandoned. But God sent Isaiah to give them hope. Immanuel (Light) is within us. Let us ask the Lord to be filled with light of Christ and also light this light in others.

The scripture reading ended with intercessory prayer by Ms Cynthia D'Souza, that included people right from the Pope, Cardinals and political leaders to Sr. Clare, CEC co-workers and Enquirers.

Speaking about the CEC, Fr.Nathan, said “We are all enquirers.” Lending a humorous twist, he said women today, ask “what is the price of gold? ” Similarly, the three Magi came to Herod and asked about Jesus.And the CEC has a dominant role to play to enquirers about Jesus Christ.

At this point, the Archbishop gave away certificates to the students of the Free Bible Correspondence Course, conducted by the Catholic Enquiry Centre. Next it was time for the release of the CEC Wall Calendar 2012, specially prepared by the Co- workers of the Catholic Enquiry Centre. Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras released the calendar to a thunderous applause and decided to hand over the first copy to whoever answered the question : On which date was Pope John Paul II beatified?” The answer, “May 1”,was given by a girl student ,young Lourdumary from the Convent of St. Brigitta, one who had also taken part in the dance.

After this, The celebrations continued with the children of St. Henrietta’s Girls School (Bon Secours Convent) staging “Kristotsava” in celebration of Jesus. The brightly and colourfully attired girls performed a lively and sprightly dance set to the Kannada song,” Idu utsava, Kristotsava.” Soon, it was the turn of the youth of the Sacred Heart’s Church Parish to take the stage. A group of young sisters rendered a Kannada song in pure Carnatic style, one of them accompanying herself skillfully only on the tabla.Then a girl wearing wings and a star performed an Indian classical dance, with shades of Mohiniattam, to a piece that was a fusion of Western and Carnatic music.The parish youths' last item was a Christmas tableau to the accompaniment of Scottish bagpipes and ending with a medley of Christmas carols, the Christmas star, the three Magi and Jesus and Mary.

Finally, the Archbishop, Most Rev.Dr. Bernard Moras, who had been ill, rose to deliver the Christmas Message. Everyone appreciated his love for the mission especially as he not only kept up with his appointment but also sat through the programme, with patience, joyfully participating in the proceedings, wearing his warm clothes and pain written over his demeanour.

He said that when Jesus was born, the whole world was waiting, seeking the truth and eager to know as to where, when and how the child would be born.Even Herod, the Shepherds and the Magi were seeking him. This year being the year of Proclamation and Evangelization, His Grace urged Christians to spread the word of Jesus to those who have been enquiring about Jesus and seeking the truth.” Believe, transform and proclaim,” he added with emphasis and gave a call to start a Catholic Enquiry Centre in all the 14 Deaneries of the Archdiocese.



CEC's first Yearly Wall Calendar, designed specially for the Year of Evangelization was released by His Grace Most Rev.Dr.Bernard Moras

After the Archbishop gave his final blessings, Ms Dorothy Miranda, a CEC CO- worker, proposed a vote of thanks. In particular, she expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for his support to the CEC despite not being well, which only showed his passion for evangelization. Several Priests, including Fr. J. Arokianathan, Fr. D.S. Arokiaswamy (Parish Priest) and Fr. Santhosh (Asst. Parish Priest) Sacred Heart Church and Fr.Thampi Kayala, found a special mention along with all those children and youth who performed dances and skits. Ms Parimala Selvaraj, a CEC Co-worker, who emceed the Programme meticulously and artfully, was commended for her whole- hearted service.



Lourdumary, a young lady from the Children's Home of the Sisters of St.Brigitta won the FIRST inaugural Calendar winning a contest that His Grace put forth to the audience

Earlier, Sr. C.L. Clare, dsp, Directress, Catholic Enquiry Centre, in her welcome address, said “God is love among us. Express and share it among others.” The birth of Jesus is a celebration and joy of it.

Sr. Clare paid tributes to the Archbishop, starting that he had been an inspiration to the CEC and an encouragement for proclamation. She also thanked Fr.Arokiaswamy, Parish Priest, Sacred Heart’s Church and Fr. Thampi Kayala for the media presentation. The Betharam Fathers, Enquirers, Co-workers, Staff, Collaborators and friends, also found an honourable mention.

The celebrations ended with fellowship and the distribution of calendars, Bible diaries, Christmas cake, snacks and tea. The festive spirit of Christmas was evident as the CEC family caught up with each other and exchanged news and pleasantries.

K.Balasubramaniam