by BIS correspondent
WADALA-MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 30, 2013: The Feast of Christ the King, which marks the end of the liturgical year was celebrated at Wadala (W) with the usual solemnity and style. It was day of praise and worship where many from the communities in the parish took time off, to spend it with the Lord (King of Kings) and thanked him for all that he had done for them. After the last mass in the morning, the parish had the different communities, organizing and participating in the well prepared adoration services.
Fr. Allwyn Misquitta conducted the general adoration from 3.00 to 4.00pm. The solemn procession then started from the church and made its way to a place prepared for the first stop at the St. Thomas community. It was good to see the Sunday school kids displaying placards in different languages mentioning 'Jesus as the king of Kings'. There were also sweet angels and traditional flower girls walking before the Blessed Sacrament along with the altar servers.
It is indeed striking to know that a group from other faiths, cleaned, decorated and set up the stage and altar with flowers at this first station. Fr. Allwyn delivered a short homily in Hindi, where he mentioned that Jesus is Lord of all nations and peoples, thus sending the message of peace and brotherhood in the society. This would surely have touched the hearts of the many people of other faiths present at the station, who showered flower petals on the Monstrance as it passed by.
The procession then made its way through the busy main road right up to Madhav Nagar, a distance of about 3 kms. The choir led the congregation in the procession with hymns, prayers and the Sacred Heart Rosary & litany. The procession finally reached the well prepared and decorated venue for the final Benediction at Madhav Nagar. The Community took great pains to give the King of Kings a fitting welcome, seizing the opportunity that came their way for the first time in the parish. Fr. Godfrey delivered a stirring homily and prayed for the needs of the Church, the country, the parish and for the needs of our families and communities. The final Benediction brought to a close a day of great rejoicing and worship.
In preparation for the close of the Year of Faith, a series of Talks on Faith Understood, Faith lived and Faith Witnessed, were organised on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd November. These talks were given by three sets of laymen and laywomen, from the Proclamation Committee of the diocese, under the direction of Bp. Agnello Gracias. The parish is indeed grateful to them for their deep sharing on all three days.