MUMBAI: As the
Christian community returns to church at
Christmas time after months of lockdown, parishes are devising topical cribs with themes ranging from Covid-19 and the vaccine to the imprisonment of Jesuit activist
Fr Stan Swamy among others.
Festivities began late this year as parishes waited for the government's rules on night curfew to schedule midnight mass. The archdiocese of Bombay released its own set of guidelines on Christmas celebrations last week.
The stars and cribs at
St Peter's Church,
Bandra, will reflect the theme 'Christmas with Under Trials'. Parish priest Fr Frazer Mascarenhas SJ and his flock have been actively voicing their opposition to the arrest of Fr Stan and other activists. Fr Frazer said, "We remember in a special way Fr Stan who has been jailed under the UAPA, a law often abused to stifle dissent. There will be many 'Stars for Stan' flying high in tribute to the 83-year-old priest who has committed his life to the adivasis of Jharkhand."
Prison crib at St Peter's ChurchAll celebrations at St Peter's Church including carol singing, cultural contests and family encounters are being held online, through Zoom or other platforms. "Senior citizens and children will mostly stay home and participate in the live streamed programmes. For the first time ever, two Vigil (Christmas Eve) masses will be held on December 24 evening, both only by invitation, in order to keep the number of worshippers under 200. On Christmas Day there will be masses on the hour from 6.00am to 10.00am and two in the evening," Fr Frazer said. Masks and temperature checks will be mandated and the church will be sanitised after each mass.
In Navi Mumbai, Fr Venancio Mascarenhas, parish priest of St Joseph's Church, CBD Belapur, has devised a crib around Covid-19 and the vaccine. "It will have a caption to all who believe in Jesus: 'I am vaccinated with the blood of Christ. No virus can touch me'. This is our crib theme with a display of all vaccines from different companies in the fray for approval."
At Gloria Church, Byculla, Fr Dennis Gonsalves and the youth of his parish have started preparing the crib that reflects hope amid the pandemic. "Amid the gloom of Covid-19, Christ comes to us, as our hope and light. That is our theme," Fr Dennis said.
Borivli's nodal IC Church has stressed upon the use of digital technology to increase during the Covid-19 lockdown. Fr Harry Vaz, parish priest, said, "Our youth is preparing a crib that depicts the virtual spiritual and social connection between our church and the faithful. Our crib represents a 3D meeting interface using online software. It demonstrates how different people in our very large parish are celebrating Christmas through online social media. Our 7 ft tall Christmas star symbolises hope while the hands around the revolving globe represent God's care and protection."