By Alphonse Mendonca, Team Mangalorean, UAE

Also read: Christmas and New Year Celebrations Around The World - 2008

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'Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name shall be called Immanuel' Mathew 1:23

Abu Dhabi, December 27, 2008: The St. Joseph's Konkani Prayer Group, a dedicated team of the parish, helping out as choir members, ushers, lay ministers, and having involved in almost all activities of the church, celebrated the birth of Jesus in a very special way. 

The day was perfect, the crowd was enthusiastic and devote and all members gathered at the St. Joseph's Parish Hall as a one large family to celebrate the Birthday of Jesus.  There were tiny tots singing carols, cutting cakes in honour of our Lord, praise and worship to Lord thanking for all the precious gifts He has bestowed upon them throughout the last year.

The proceedings began at about 8 pm when Mr. Rupert Vaz welcomed the gathering and said today is the happiest day of their life because prince of peace and joy was among them.  He has united them, supported them and kept their spirit high.  Today it's time to thank the Lord for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

The choir group started with a beautiful konkani carol “Sodvondar amkam aiz zolmola, Soglea sonsarar uzvadd fankla.”  Prior to the celebration, the gathering offered prayers with hymns.

The little children of the prayer group Rayan Vaz (on Key Board), Hensel and Nigel (on Guitar), Tanya D'Souza, Suzan, Esther, Celestine Oltimo, and the smallest of all Ethen mesmerized the audience by beautifully singing the Christmas Carols that included Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, You better watch out, Dashing through the snow and the greatest Jingle Bells.  Their performance received a huge round of applause and stranding ovation from the crowd. They were supported by Deral on Guitar.

Mr. Rupert welcomed the chief guests of the day the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu, Rev. Fr. Antony Lopez (The spiritual director of the prayer group) and Rev. Fr. Wild Gandol (Secretary to bishop Paul Hinder).  Fr. Savarimuthu spoke on the occasion and praised the hard work and dedication of the prayer group and wished them and all the gathering best wishes of the Christmas and the Holy season.  Rev Fr. Antony Lopez delivering his Christmas message said he was happy to see the hard working community of the parish meeting as a single family and praised them for their unconditional support to the parish.

Mr. Rupert invited, their President Mr. Noel D'Souza along with the chief guest Fr. Lopez and Fr. Gandol to the dais to cut the cake.

The Christmas carols continued and the Father Santa arrived with goodies and distributed the sweets to all the kids.  The Christmas carols were sung beautifully by the members; Sharmila, Pristine, Celestine, Flavia, Lydia, lead by Rupert Vaz.  The music and sound system were provided by Joel Crasta and Conrad D'Souza.
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There was also a special announcement that two couples were celebrating their wedding anniversaries on 26th and 27th of this month and they were the most prominent couples of the group namely Conrad & Sharmila, Joel & Flavia.  Rupert invited them to the stage and celebrated their wedding anniversary by cutting the special cake.

A delicious dinner was arranged for the gathering and the grand celebration ended at about 10 pm.

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Also read: Christmas and New Year Celebrations Around The World - 2008