By Ms Alinda Crasto, Ms Debjani Bhattacharya and Mr Prashant Gaikwad for BIS Mumbai

Christmas is that most wonderful and most anticipated time of the year that is celebrated by one and all. All across the institutions of the Province of Bombay, Christmas celebrations have been on a grand scale. Here is a peek at some of the festive celebrations.

The Pre-Primary Section at Don Bosco School, Borivli, organised various events right from the Christmas Article-making Competition on 12 December 2022. All beautiful Christmas articles made by the kindergarteners were displayed on the corridors that bore a festive look with bells, streamers, a crib, and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

Furthermore, to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive, the children along with their teachers organized ‘Christmas Assembly’ on 16 December. The children beautifully presented a Christmas tableau to show the birth of Jesus Christ along with Christmas carols and dances. The spirit of giving and sharing was inculcated among the tiny tots by exchanging sweets with their classmates, the children were asked to get sweets from home to share with their friends. The boundless joy of celebrating the festival was amply visible on the faces of the children especially when Santa moved around distributing sweets and gifts and sweets to them.

Don Bosco, Nerul, celebrated the Annual Christmas Panorama on 22 December. The day began with the Holy Eucharist for the Catholic staff and students, while a prayer service was organized for those of other faiths. During the programme the students presented a musical tableau accompanied by a soulful rendition of carols. Dance on a medley of Christmas songs ensured the spirits remained high. In their Christmas messages, Ms Jyotsna D’Souza, and Ms Vivena Rodrigues emphasized the need to spread love and harmony through every tiny good deed.

Don Bosco, Yerwada, organised a Christmas outreach programme to Mother Theresa’s Home, Tadiwala Road, Pune, on 22 December. Around 125 students of Class 10 visited this institution which takes care of more than 70 challenged and abandoned persons of different age groups. They spent their time communicating with them, sharing their experiences. The students had also prepared some Christmas entertainment for them: they danced, sang songs and played games. The School offered boxes of necessary commodities as a gift to the Home. Many of the students were moved from within to see the sufferings of the people there. Some of them are determined to visit the Home frequently and spend time with them. The visit proved to be a life-enriching experience for the students.