By BIS Correspondent
As we continue to live the beautiful spirit of Christmas and usher in the New year 2019, children in Salesian institutions across the Salesian province of Mumbai, celebrated Christmas in style.
In Don Bosco High School Matunga, the beneficiaries of the Care-n-share Christmas Panorama held on December 18 and 19, were the children of Don Bosco school in Nepal. This is a time when the school generously reaches out to the less fortunate with their sincere efforts in generating funds at the two-day Christmas mega event.
Day one began with the colourful hat parade. Every standard had a theme - snowman, poinsettia, reindeer, Christmas cake, wreath, Santa Claus and every class division with its 10 representatives displayed the theme through an array of well- crafted hats.
The students of standards eight to ten presented Christmas festivities around the world. Celebrations in France, Germany, the US, Brazil and UK, their folklore, traditions, prayer, dance, was showcased. Later the school choir gave a melodious rendition of some traditional Christmas carols.
No event is complete without dance, and twirls and sways were aplenty! Standards five to ten performed Disco, Zumba, Contemporary, Hip-hop, B-Boying, jungle dance, folk dance, Indo-western, and Rock-n-roll for the dance competition.
'Stylish student of the Year' was a very popular event especially among students of class nine. The event is a prelude to ‘Bosco King' held for class 10. Gurmehar Singh bagged the title, in the very entertaining and gripping competition.
The crowning of the Bosco King on the second day was the highlight of the Christmas Panorama. It was a glamorous event that takes weeks of preparation and practice. The event is for the students of class 10, and after rounds of elimination earlier on, the last 25 make it to the big stage. Ahmad Kazi emerged as Bosco King.
The games stalls manned by the staff and students provided entertainment and fun for the students at the fair. The variety of games at the stalls attracted a huge audience.
On Day two, Class 8D presented their assembly by depicting how each one can be of help to their neighbours and conveyed the message to use technology to connect with loved ones without replacing it for human relations.
The class assembly was well-rehearsed and the theme reflected on the backdrop: 'Chase gloom and darkness very far; be your neighbour's shining star'. The Rector Father Crispino D’Souza after having placed baby Jesus in the crib delivered a message to the large gathering on the genuine celebration of Christmas. The Care-n-share Christmas Panorama was extravagant entertainment all the way!
In Gujarat, a Christmas tree programme based on the theme ‘God is with us’ was held on December 23, 2018, at Don Bosco boarding, Kawant by the boarding staff. It was held for the boys of the boarding from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm.
A short prayer service was organised by the seniors. Giving gifts is a Christmas tradition and through a Christmas friend is the Salesian style of doing it. The boys were glad to give and receive gifts from one another.
All the boys came forward to display their talents through skits and songs. The portrayal of the Nativity scene and the Visitation was part of the skits. Some senior boys organised creative football games for younger students.
Santa Claus stole the show with his dance moves and generous distribution of sweets. He made all the boarders and staff laugh-out-load by telling jokes on incidents in the boarding. He also distributed gifts.
Not too far away, Don Bosco High School, Kawant, clubbed their Christmas celebrations with their Annual Day on December 24, 2018. The Rector, Father Charles gave a Christmas message. The Principal, Father Pravin read out the school report.
The annual day play began after a short welcome dance and a Garba performance. The English medium students danced to a medley of Christmas carols. The students gained self-confidence through their participation and were glad about the opportunity to be on stage.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by the Director of BBH, Father Corlis Gonsalves. He thanked the students for their generosity and kindness shown towards the poor boys and assured them of God’s precious blessings.
Christmas may be celebrated diversely across regions, yet the message is the same everywhere: it is the season of giving, loving and hope!
As we continue to live the beautiful spirit of Christmas and usher in the New year 2019, children in Salesian institutions across the Salesian province of Mumbai, celebrated Christmas in style.
In Don Bosco High School Matunga, the beneficiaries of the Care-n-share Christmas Panorama held on December 18 and 19, were the children of Don Bosco school in Nepal. This is a time when the school generously reaches out to the less fortunate with their sincere efforts in generating funds at the two-day Christmas mega event.
Day one began with the colourful hat parade. Every standard had a theme - snowman, poinsettia, reindeer, Christmas cake, wreath, Santa Claus and every class division with its 10 representatives displayed the theme through an array of well- crafted hats.
The students of standards eight to ten presented Christmas festivities around the world. Celebrations in France, Germany, the US, Brazil and UK, their folklore, traditions, prayer, dance, was showcased. Later the school choir gave a melodious rendition of some traditional Christmas carols.
No event is complete without dance, and twirls and sways were aplenty! Standards five to ten performed Disco, Zumba, Contemporary, Hip-hop, B-Boying, jungle dance, folk dance, Indo-western, and Rock-n-roll for the dance competition.
'Stylish student of the Year' was a very popular event especially among students of class nine. The event is a prelude to ‘Bosco King' held for class 10. Gurmehar Singh bagged the title, in the very entertaining and gripping competition.The crowning of the Bosco King on the second day was the highlight of the Christmas Panorama. It was a glamorous event that takes weeks of preparation and practice. The event is for the students of class 10, and after rounds of elimination earlier on, the last 25 make it to the big stage. Ahmad Kazi emerged as Bosco King.
The games stalls manned by the staff and students provided entertainment and fun for the students at the fair. The variety of games at the stalls attracted a huge audience.
On Day two, Class 8D presented their assembly by depicting how each one can be of help to their neighbours and conveyed the message to use technology to connect with loved ones without replacing it for human relations.
The class assembly was well-rehearsed and the theme reflected on the backdrop: 'Chase gloom and darkness very far; be your neighbour's shining star'. The Rector Father Crispino D’Souza after having placed baby Jesus in the crib delivered a message to the large gathering on the genuine celebration of Christmas. The Care-n-share Christmas Panorama was extravagant entertainment all the way!
In Gujarat, a Christmas tree programme based on the theme ‘God is with us’ was held on December 23, 2018, at Don Bosco boarding, Kawant by the boarding staff. It was held for the boys of the boarding from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm.
A short prayer service was organised by the seniors. Giving gifts is a Christmas tradition and through a Christmas friend is the Salesian style of doing it. The boys were glad to give and receive gifts from one another.
All the boys came forward to display their talents through skits and songs. The portrayal of the Nativity scene and the Visitation was part of the skits. Some senior boys organised creative football games for younger students.
Santa Claus stole the show with his dance moves and generous distribution of sweets. He made all the boarders and staff laugh-out-load by telling jokes on incidents in the boarding. He also distributed gifts.
Not too far away, Don Bosco High School, Kawant, clubbed their Christmas celebrations with their Annual Day on December 24, 2018. The Rector, Father Charles gave a Christmas message. The Principal, Father Pravin read out the school report.
The annual day play began after a short welcome dance and a Garba performance. The English medium students danced to a medley of Christmas carols. The students gained self-confidence through their participation and were glad about the opportunity to be on stage.
In Mumbai, students from Mary Immaculate Primary and High School, Borivli came to Bosco Boys’ Home (BBH) on December 19 and 20 to celebrate and spread the spirit of Christmas with the boys of the orphanage.
The students started with an icebreaker game wherein they got to know the names of the boys. Then the programme proceeded with pictorial descriptions, carol singing, and a skit beautifully enacting the Nativity of the Lord explaining to the boys the real meaning of Christmas.
“This is a very graceful period where we can feel the joy, peace, and happiness of Jesus. Through this visit, we want to give you this message of always being joyful, hopeful and cheerful and you will be a blessing to everyone,” Shardha Jain, one of the students, said.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by the Director of BBH, Father Corlis Gonsalves. He thanked the students for their generosity and kindness shown towards the poor boys and assured them of God’s precious blessings.
“Thanks to the Salesians and staff for accepting our invitation and giving us this precious time to share with the boys the joy and peace of Jesus Christ,” Sister Payal on behalf of the management of Mary Immaculate, said.
“Christmas is a season of giving. They very beautifully enacted the Nativity of the Lord with both visual and audio help. This experience has taught me we have to share our gifts and talents and take care of each other and do all this lovingly to bring happiness to everyone’s faces like Jesus Christ,” Sujal Katara, a boy from BBH, said.
Christmas may be celebrated diversely across regions, yet the message is the same everywhere: it is the season of giving, loving and hope!