Joylina Pereira
VIRAR, NOVEMBER 13, 2009: November 8, 2009 saw the culmination of the spiritual preparation of the faithful at Jyoti, who congregated in the Church at 08.00 am to care, share and pray for the wonderful events that have taken place in the past year. The main celebrant for the festal mass was Mons. Francis Correia.
The celebration began with the parish council members, leaders of different groups in the parish, the altar servers assembling at the main entrance door of the Church. After the traditional aarati the procession towards the altar synergized the atmosphere of the various groups in the parish along with the celebrant and concelebrants (Fr. Gregory D’Cunha and Fr. Reginald Gracias.) Mons. Correia touched the hearts of the faithful with an inspiring homily based on peace, togetherness leading towards the Light, with the mediation of Our Blessed Virgin Mary. He also touched on relevant points about the history of Jyoti and the start of Missionary activity.
The Eucharistic celebration was well animated by the Parish Council. After mass Jeevan Jyot – the souvenir was released officially by Mons. Correia followed by the distribution of certificates to the altar servers who had participated in the Altar Servers Rally at Matunga. The youth group then organised a day filled with activity for the parishioners, which included a canteen, lucky draw, fun fete stalls, ending with traditional folkdances.
In the entertainment programme each community from the parish presented the richness of Vadval culture and the traditions attached to it. The day ended with the parish priest Fr. Gregory thanking all for the wonderful participation not only during the Novena but also in making the feast day an event to remember. He thanked the youth in a very special way for taking leadership and responsibilities for which otherwise they would find it difficult to handle by themselves. Thanks also to Fr. Edwin Colaco who animates the youth group.