Neville D’Souza sdb NASHIK, NOVEMBER 1, 2008: The parish of Don Bosco Nashik celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Light, on October 28, 2008. The celebrations began at 7.00 pm with an Indian Rite Eucharist presided over by Fr. Nelson Falcao, Professor of Indian Philosophy 
and Religion. Great care had been taken to prepare a traditional ambient for the celebration with colourful rangolis, diyas and beautiful flowers prepared by Cl. Johnson, Cl. Neville and the FMA novices. All the faithful and the priests were welcomed with a kunkum (tilakam) put on the foreheads by the Ursuline (UMI) novices. Fr. Nelson led the congregation into prayer, explaining the significance of each symbol and prayer, chanting Shlokas in Sanskrit and rendering their meaning in English. During the homily, he explained the significance of the six days of Diwali, relating them to contemporary themes such as ecological harmony and respect for women. The solemn triple aarti done by the Franciscan Hospittaler novices accompanied by a devotional hymn was another high point of the celebration. Other hymns in Marathi and Hindi also added to the beauty of the Eucharist. The celebrations concluded with sharing of Diwali sweets and lighting fireworks. An attempt was made to restrict the ‘noise’ and to celebrate an 'Eco-friendly Diwali'. Among those present were FMA, Franciscan Hospittaler and UMI novices, the scholastics from Divyadaan, other Religious and some parishioners. The faithful went back after the celebration to spread the message of Christ the light to others.
and Religion. Great care had been taken to prepare a traditional ambient for the celebration with colourful rangolis, diyas and beautiful flowers prepared by Cl. Johnson, Cl. Neville and the FMA novices. All the faithful and the priests were welcomed with a kunkum (tilakam) put on the foreheads by the Ursuline (UMI) novices. Fr. Nelson led the congregation into prayer, explaining the significance of each symbol and prayer, chanting Shlokas in Sanskrit and rendering their meaning in English. During the homily, he explained the significance of the six days of Diwali, relating them to contemporary themes such as ecological harmony and respect for women. The solemn triple aarti done by the Franciscan Hospittaler novices accompanied by a devotional hymn was another high point of the celebration. Other hymns in Marathi and Hindi also added to the beauty of the Eucharist. The celebrations concluded with sharing of Diwali sweets and lighting fireworks. An attempt was made to restrict the ‘noise’ and to celebrate an 'Eco-friendly Diwali'. Among those present were FMA, Franciscan Hospittaler and UMI novices, the scholastics from Divyadaan, other Religious and some parishioners. The faithful went back after the celebration to spread the message of Christ the light to others.