Milagres Carolers bring Christmas Cheers to Orphans and Seniors
Mangaluru: Bringing Christmas cheer to a home filled with less fortunate, and also to residents of a senior citizen home is a simple, yet powerful way to show Christ’s love and communicate the true spirit of Christmas. And caroling is a unique, personal experience- it’s not easy to explain the special feeling one gets giving in this way. When you carol, you never know who you will touch. The joy and spirit of Christmas came early for the inmates of Mother Theresa Home on Sturrock Road, Mangaluru run by Missionaries of Charity Sisters under Superior, Sr M. Bernadetta M.C; and also the residents of Deva Kripa (Senior Citizen Home) at Attavar, Mangaluru run by Bethany Convent sisters, under Superior Sr Chrisette, when they were surprised with carol singing by Milagres Church Choir to spread Christmas cheer to the orphans and elderly.
The following Photos taken at Mother Teresa Home:
It’s the ‘season to be jolly’ and the busiest time of the year, as the “Rome of the East”- Kodiyal aka Kudla aka Mangaluru geared up to celebrate the birth of Christ through carol singing. The harmony and exuberance of the carol singers is always pleasure to listen to. With less than 24 days to Christmas, Mangaloreans are gearing up for the festive season. It’s time to deck the hall with boughs of holly! Yes, the intention is to put that song in your head, because it’s almost Christmas! Singing of carols spreads joy during Christmas. One cannot imagine Christmas without carols. From “Jingle Bells” to “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to ” Joy to the World”, the carolers of Milagres Church here were all set to spread the joy of Christmas in all the homes they proposed to visit.
Singing for the ailing persons/less fortunate and the elderly will surely give these carolers a sense of joy because it will definitely make them all. What enlivens the mood is when a group of young and old pops up at the door and begin singing- and that makes a difference in one’s life during this festive season. Attired in traditional Christmas outfits to suit the seasonal serenades, one among them also impersonating Santa Claus, the carol choir group hopped into a mini bus and Scorpio to visit the Senior Citizen Home and Mother Teresa Home to make a difference in their lives during this joyous season, and also bring miles of smiles on their faces. The young and vintage carolers surprised the elderly and the orphans with songs of Christmas, thereby cheering them with the spirit of Christmas. Surely there was the element of surprise, followed by expressions of gratitude. One could see the joyous expressions on the faces of these seniors, which they have been waiting for long- and this was a moment for them that enlightened and cheered them up. A great job done by these Milagres Church carolers. Joe Gonsalves, who was a chief guest at the Mother Teresa Home carol singing time, shared the story of Mother Teresa and her teachings.
Carol singing is a guaranteed way to swing everyone into a festive mood. Door-to-door carol singing is an integral and indispensable part of Christmas where the carolers walk into people’s homes and render popular carols, bringing messages of hope, laughter and joy. Christmas is the only time when families get a chance to come together and celebrate in the spirit of the season. And carol rounds help them bond. From the youngest to the oldest, it is the spirit of togetherness and moving from one house to another that are truly fun-filled exercises. Carol singing is also about bringing joy and happiness to the less fortunate. These carolers never conclude their carol rounds without visiting old age homes, the sick, orphanages and senior citizens. Carol singing is not just about having fun but it’s also about bringing a smile on people’s faces.
The following Photos taken at ‘Deva Kripa’ – Bethany Convent:
Fr Valerian D’Souza- the parish priest of Milagres Church who had accompanied the carolers speaking at both the locations said, “The Christmas season, a time of celebration and sharing, is filled with joy, laughter, light and music. It is a celebration of the birth of Christ, partly as an expression of Christian beliefs around the World, but more so, as a time of giving and sharing for all. Although these days Christmas is too commercialized, but true meaning of Christmas, which is really to celebrate a gift to humankind – the gift of an Enlightened Being who gave hope and salvation to the world over 2000 years ago. Christmas is a highly uplifting celebration of spirituality.”
He further said, ” These Church carolers have tried to maintain the original spirit of Christmas by making it a time of celebration, joy, giving and sharing, and have also tried to bring happiness during the Christmas season by joining a group to sing Christmas carols for the orphans and elderly. This small act that uplift others’ spirits is more meaningful than an expensive gift. Now that Master has come into this World, the Christmas season is especially significant for us all. The joy and happiness generated by His love give a deeper meaning to all holiday celebrations. Lights shine more brightly, music sounds sweeter, and love and goodwill seem more significant. My sincere wish is that all can discover Master and share Christmas in this spiritual way. Wish you all a merry and blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year well in advance and may God bless you all”
Sr Bernadetta MC, the Superior at Mother Teresa Home addressing the gathering said, ” Quoting Mother Teresa “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.”- Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone, and I am glad that these Church carolers have brought cheer to our inmates. We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years. Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart. Thank you for the love that you have shown towards our orphans during Christmas”
Sr Chrisette, the Superior at Bethany Convent (Deva Kripa) said, ” Certainly Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that sharing is not limited to those that we love and care for. It is also for the person that we have never met and will never see. Those that are not so fortunate in their lives as we are and that could use a helping hand. It is really heart warming to note that these Church Choir group has come to entertain and spread the joy and spirit of Christmas among these seniors who for sure will appreciate your kind gesture. You have all brought happiness in them and also put smiles on their faces, which they will cherish for a long time. I am sure this Christmas season will mean a lot for them for enlightening them through Christmas carols. Thank you all, and may God bless you all.”
While appreciating the good work done by these Milagres Church Choir members, may God bless them in their endeavour and may the ambiance be filled with peace by their good work. Team Mangalorean wishes one and all a Very Cherry Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, well in advance!
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Beauty of Christmas Through the Eyes of the Seniors
