CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

20^th December 2013

The entire family of St. Joseph's High School, Wadala got together to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus in a special way on the last day of school before the Christmas vacation, 20th December, 2013. It was a treat to the eyes to see children decorating their classrooms ushering the spirit of C hristmas. The day began with Rev. Fr. Bernard Fernandes wishing everyone "Happy Christmas" over the intercom during the morning assembly.  He urged everyone to reach out to the needy this Christmas while congratulating all the class teachers and students for joyfully participating in the Christmas outreach programme ensuring that we make the needy have a reason to smile this Christmas. Various organisations such as the Old Age Homes and Children's Home, as well as our own study class children, benefited from our 'offerings of love' in kind.

After the special prayer for Christmas over the intercom and the prayer for the teachers celebrating their birthdays during the Christmas season, the students of the Primary section, dressed in Christmas attire - red, white and green-were all set to party. They had a pound party! From the small quantity of snacks brought by every student, there was an equal distribution among the students by the class teachers and subject teachers. There was the smile and the cheer at the amazing spirit of sharing and giving. The students sang Christmas carols merrily in class.  Around the same time, the students of the secondary section had the Christmas symposium in the hall. A creative tableau by the Primary section – backed by a live choir singing the carols signifying the essence of Christmas - depicting the birth of Jesus, a meaningful prayer service, presentation of the nosegays by the representatives of the classes before the baby Jesus in the crib, carol singing and dance competitions were the special features of the beautiful Christmas program.

After a short break, the roles were reversed.  It was now time for the secondary section to party, while the Pre-Primary and Primary sections assembled in the school hall for the Christmas program.  The students dispersed at 11.30 a.m. bringing to a close the spirited Christmas celebrations!  

The staff members assembled in the specially decorated parish hall at 12 noon. They soon got into the mood of Christmas with the singing of Christmas carols to herald the birth of Baby Jesus. Sporting a Santa cap, Mrs., Thelma warmly welcomed all to the Christmas party, and got everyone on the dance floor for the special Christmas march, after which there were some exciting games.  Fr. Godfrey D’Sa (Rector) then addressed the teachers. He spoke about the virtues of Pope Francis extolling the manner in which he carried out his mission as a man of God. Through his own personal example, Pope Francis has touched the hearts of so many people especially the neglected and abandoned. Fr. Godfrey asked everyone present to follow the example of the Pope - "Having Courage To Be Tender"!  Fr. Vivian D'Souza said the grace before meals and invoked God's blessings on everyone present.  All the staff members partook of the sumptuous meal and wished each other "Happy Christmas". Fr. Bernard thanked Ms. Nicole Britto, Mrs. Sangita Bhattacharya, Mrs. Matilda Fernandes and all the teachers for the exemplary manner in which all the Christmas activities were conducted in every class and in the school. Every staff member collected a special token from the Management at Christmas on their way back home. Thus ended a special day with a noteworthy message – it takes courage to be tender ,it pays to be kind and generous!