Ivan Rodrigues sdb AHMEDNAGAR, JUNE 29, 2009: The solemnity of the St. John the Baptist was celebrated with much devotion at St. John’s Church, Ahmednagar Camp on Sunday June 28, 2009.The theme for the solemnity was “Peace and Reconciliation.” Before the Eucharistic 
celebration there was a short procession around the church with the portrait of John the Baptist in the act of baptizing Jesus. Taking the cue from John the Baptist, “He must increase and I must decrease” the principal celebrant Fr. Ajit Munis sdb asked the people to allow Jesus to take the prime place in their lives. Citing various examples from the Christian point of witness, while breaking the Word of God Fr. Francis Patekar sj., called on the people to be ambassador of peace through reconciliation. The mass was well animated by the parish council and the choir well prepared by Fr. Michael Bansode. St. John’s church has a custom to invite the newly ordained priestly for their annual parish feast. Frs. Ajit and Francis were ordained priests in December 2008. After mass they felicitated with the traditional turban (pheta), a bouquet of flowers and a coconut. The students of standard tenth and twelfth were also felicitated who have passed their board examinations 2009 in the first attempt. This was followed by a dance “Jai Ho”, a game of housie and distribution of prizes.