Fatima Retreat House Celebrates Christmas with Orphans
Mangaluru: “This is the Christmas Season, So there isn’t any reason, We can’t dance the Christmas Polka!” goes the lyrics of the popular Christmas song ‘Christmas Polka’. Christmas is just a week away and there is no reason, you can’t share your Christmas joy with others.
A Christmas programme for orphan children was held at the Fatima Retreat House (FRH) in Valencia here, on December 19. The programme was inaugurated by Fr Denis Rasquinha SJ by lighting the traditional lamp.
The Christmas message was delivered by Fr Prashanth Madtha SJ. Speaking on this occasion, Fr Prashanth said, “Children and Jesus have many similarities. Both are innocent. That is why we call children as our guests to celebrate Christmas together.”
Speaking to Mangalorean.com, Olga Noronha, a staff of FRH, said, “The orphans are less privileged and it is our duty to make them happy. We have been celebrating this programme from the past six years and it really gives me immense joy to see the children display their talents and enjoy the games conducted. Their innocent smiles and greetings are simply priceless.”
The programme was attended by a large number of children from Infant Jesus Orphanage in Mary Hill, Infant Mary Orphanage in Kulshekar, Zeenath Baksh in Bunder, De Mercede in Panir, Bhagini Samaj, Prashanth Nivas in Jeppu and Stella Maris in Kotekar.
Various dances, songs and skits entertained the children. There was a loud cheer and one could see the Christmas spirit in the children when Santa Claus joined them to the tunes of Christmas Carols. The children were given ‘kuswar’ and gifts, adding much happiness to the faces of every child present. Indeed as Olga said, it was priceless to watch the happiness on each child’s face. “Thank God it’s Christmas, Can it be Christmas? Let it be Christmas every day.” – Queen, British rock band.
