St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, resonated with sacred joy and deep devotion as the parish community gathered to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas celebrations commenced at 7:00 p.m. with soul-stirring carol singing led by the adult church choir, uplifting hearts in praise and preparing the faithful for the mystery of the Incarnation. Each carol was beautifully introduced and explained by Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, enriching the spiritual experience and helping everyone reflect on the profound meaning of the season.
At 7:30 p.m., the solemn Christmas Eucharistic celebration began, drawing the congregation into a profound encounter with the newborn Savior. The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Priest, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr Andrew Leo Souza, Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School; Rev. Fr Prem Prakash; Rev. Fr Vincent Saldanha Manager of Codialbail Press; Rev. Fr Ravi Kumar, MSIJ; Rev. r Biju Betharram; Rev. Fr Robert; Rev. Fr Gregory Pinto, SVD; and Rev. Fr Theo Pinto.
In his homily, Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza reflected on the mystery of Christmas—God becoming man, Emmanuel, fully human and divine, dwelling among us in humility out of love for humanity. He reminded the faithful that Christmas is not just about receiving, but about giving—offering love, kindness, forgiveness, and service to others.
Fr Andrew emphasized that the true message of Christmas is love that heals, peace that reconciles, and joy that uplifts. By living these values in our families, neighborhoods, and parish, we become witnesses of Christ’s presence. He concluded by encouraging all to carry the light of Christ from the manger into daily life, spreading hope, peace, and joy.
In his Christmas message, Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, expressed deep gratitude to the PPC members, volunteers across parish ministries, and ICYM members for their unwavering dedication and joyful service, especially in preparing the Christmas crib. He, along with the Parish Clergy and concelebrating priests, extended warm Christmas blessings to all parish families, including those living abroad, reminding everyone that the true spirit of Christmas lies in love, unity, and the joy of welcoming Christ into our hearts and homes.
The adult church choir’s soul-stirring performance lifted hearts, filling the celebration with divine joy and praise. Following the Mass, the Christmas spirit continued as a festive cake was shared among all, reflecting the sweetness of God’s love and the joy of selfless giving. The Catholic Sabha Bondel Unit further enriched the season with a short yet meaningful program, nurturing community unity and heartfelt celebration.
At St Lawrence Church and Shrine, Bondel, the true spirit of Christmas radiated brightly, as parishioners gathered in faith, love, and fellowship to honor the birth of Christ, carrying His light and blessings into their homes and the wider community.
Photography: Anson Rego Report: Meena Serrao Barboza
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