Jamshedpur, Dec 25: In spite of the cold weather, people enjoyed the birth of baby Jesus in the middle of the night. Churches in the city were decked up from yesterday and witnessed a huge footfall across the churches in the city.
Almost all the churches in the city started their first prayer service between 11 pm- 11:30 pm yesterday night. The St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Golmuri, the biggest church had one of the biggest crowd of 2200 people attending the midnight mass last night.
Father Augustine Topno, administrator of St. Joseph’s cathedral led the child Jesus and placed him on the crib inside the church. This is a tradition and has been followed every year by the church. The carol singing at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Golmuri started between 7:30 pm and 11 pm yesterday. Missionary schools like Sacred Heart Convent School, Carmel Junior College and other schools have also been illuminated for Christmas followed by New Year.
“It is mainly illumination of the church and the surrounding building. It is a huge celebration and thus churches are decorated with balloons, paper lanterns and paper crafts etc to make the ambience beautiful. Christmas spreads the message of love and peace. It is about letting us learn to live in peace and harmony accepting that we all are God’s Children. We need to keep open the door of our heart for all ready to forgive and have concern for the poor and the needy,” said Father David Vincent, director of education and treasurer of Jamshedpur Diocese who led the prayer service at the St. Mary’s Church in Bistupur last night.
The churches had showcased cribs to recall the birth of Jesus Christ. While most of the Catholic churches like Lupita Hall in Telco, St. Joseph’s cathedral in Golmuri had a midnight mass and a morning mass, the St. Mary’s Church In Bistupur had three prayer services, one at midnight, one in the morning and one which was held last evening for the convenience of senior citizens.
The midnight mass at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral night was conducted in Hindi but the morning prayer service was both conducted in English and Hindi. All the Roman Catholic Churches in the city started their morning prayer services between 6.30 and 7 in the morning.
“We attended the mass prayer service at the Lupita Hall in Telco today. After the morning prayer service it is the time for family and friends to visit each other and wish them. The day is spent with good food, music and in company of the near and dear ones. However some of my friends have also planned for a movie today,” said a devotee.
EoM
