Feast Of Nativity - 2015

The Feast of Nativity of Our Lady was celebrated with great pomp in churches all over Mangalore. On this day i.e. the 8^th of September,2015 the parishioners  of Most Holy Redeemer Church assembled at the Holy Family School Ground at 8.A.M.  Children, who were eagerly waiting for this day, were all present with their baskets filled with flowers of all kind. Indeed the Feast of Nativity began on a colourful note where children offered flowers to Mother Mary. The devotion to Mother Mary was rendered by the hymns that were sung in her praise at the Ground.

The New Corn that was blessed was ceremoniously taken into the church by the gurkars in procession. The Eucharistic Celebration followed. Rev.Fr. Joseph .Lobo (the Parish Priest), Rev.Fr.Anil.Lobo (the Assistant Parish Priest) and Fr. Walter Pinto celebrated the mass. In his homily Fr. Anil Lobo spoke on the significance of the day especially by highlighting the role of a woman in one’s life. He also pondered on the situation of crisis that women face in the present world and stressed the importance of respecting women. Fr.Anil.Lobo also spoke on the importance of praying together in a family. He quoted the words, “A family that prays together, stays together.”He wished the Parishioners on this special family feast.

The New Corn was distributed by the Gurkars to all the parishioners after the Communion. The Children’s Choir added to the solemnity of the ceremony. The Mass ended with the distribution of sugar cane to all the parishioners - children and old alike. It was not just the flowers and the sugarcane that made things appear colourful and bright on this day, it was also the assemblage of the entire parish as one family that added to the celebration of this Family Feast.

Report by: Lynsha Lobo
Pictures: Prajwal Sequeira And Sheldon Alvares