The Christmas Celebration at Don Bosco, ITI was held on Saturday, December 23, 2023. It started with a mass in the morning for the catholic trainees. The mass was celebrated by affable Fr. Nelson Carvalho. He preached a touching homily. While the Catholic trainees were at mass the others had an opportunity to watch a video on the life of Jesus Christ.
The celebration in the Fr. Santino Mondini hall began with a welcome to Rev. Father Anthony Pinto, Rector Director, Fr. Brian Moras, Vice Rector, Assistant Director DBC, Fr. McEnroe Lopes Administrator, Fr. Charles Anthony – Assistant Director DBIT, Campus Minister, Fr. Nelson Carvalho. This advent season was very special for the team of Don Bosco, as every Monday during the assembly on Monday with the lighting of Advent Candle and a talk on the theme (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) of the advent candle. Since the next Monday is Christmas Day the fourth Advent Candle was lit followed by aa song on the birth of Jesus Christ. The prayer service began with the reading from the GospelOf Luke 2:4-7. There was a short reflection on the passage and the Christmas message.
The morning celebration began with the Carol Singing by the Catholic trainees followed by the Christmas message by our Rector Fr. Anthony Pinto. During his talk he dwelt on the topic of giving up bad habits such as abusing etc and how important is our thinking. If are thoughts are clean our speech will be clean and this is one habit we can try to give up this Christmas. There was then the dance performance which was much appreciated. The carol singing by the trainees continued with the arrival of Santa Claus to the beat of Jingle Bells.
But the surprise event of day was the carol singing by Fr. Anthony Pinto on the keyboard, Fr. Brian Moras on the Guitar and Fr. Charles Anthony and Fr. Nelson on the vocals. It was a super duper performance which ignited a new energy in the trainees. Fr. Charles in the end sung a Marathi carol followed by a Christmas Ghazal with all in attendance joining in chorus. The party continued with a variety of games and spot prizes. All the trainees thoroughly enjoyed the morning living by the theme of Christmas as a time for togetherness, reflection, and celebration.
The celebration ended with a very happy note bringing the year to an end and a hope of meeting with renewed vigour and enthusiasm in the New Year. Till then a very happy Christmas to one and a sincere hope of Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.