Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 23: “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of receiving. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.”
On December 23, Lourdes Central School, Bejai, here celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ in true Christmas spirit. The programme began at 8.00 am by invoking God’s blessings with a prayer song sung by the tiny tots of KG. Jenson of Class VII welcomed the gathering. Dr Vasudev B Pai, PTEC vice-president, Ramona Rodrigues, PTEC secretary and Sudhir Hegde, DYSP, anti-corruption bureau were present on the occasion. The significance of Christmas was highlighted by Joyston D’Souza of class XII as a new era dawned on the world.
The principal Fr Robert D’Souza congratulated the students for all their achievements during the year 2017 and appreciated the students and staff for their whole-hearted support and cooperation in all the school activities. He blessed the students and urged them spread the happiness of Christmas to the world at large.
Lourdes Central School then plunged into the Christmas atmosphere created by the school choir through Christmas carols of praise and joy. Various competitions were held in connection with Christmas celebration like card making, wreath making, Christmas tree decoration, fancy dress etc.
The chief guest of the day, Fr John Baptist Crasta, parish priest and rector – Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru said that Christmas is experiencing the love of God. He quoted the scripture from the Holy Bible – John 3:16 ‘God so loved the world that He sent his only begotten Son, so that none may perish but all have eternal life.’ He spoke on the various symbols used to express the meaning of Christmas like gifts, Christmas tree, candle, bells and Santa Claus. He said that as Jesus is the light of the world, children should be a light to the world and this light should shine in the world. He stressed that Christmas brings the love and peace of God and highlighted the need of love among all people to build a good community. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The manager of LCS and the President of the function Rev. Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza said that Christmas is a special time to share our warmth with loved ones. It is a time where love, joy and peace abounds in the world. Christmas in the true sense is not mere exchange of gifts but the exchange of love and concern among all human beings.
The students of LCS witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ through a drama titled ‘Modern Christmas’ presented by the students of classes I to VI. With the dances of students of class IX to the popular Christmas numbers, the audience experienced something truly incredible. Lean Aquinas of Class VII proposed the vote of thanks. Marc Rego and Diya Mascarenhas of class IX compered the programme. Santa Claus arrived in LCS jingling with bells of happiness and joy on his ‘one-horse open sleigh’ to meet his loving fans, the children. The students enjoyed dancing and playing with him.
Bulletin boards and all the classes from KG to class XII were decorated beautifully with the theme of Christmas where the students put their creativity to use. The walls of the School glowed with colourful stars. Eucharistic celebration was held at Bejai Church thanking God for all the good things He has bestowed. Living the true spirit of Christmas the school extended a small financial help to five needy families. The Christmas celebration culminated with joy of caring and sharing.