CHRISTMAS – THE SEASON OF GIVING

Christmas is the happiest season for  all of us.  On this wonderful day all over the world we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We join to thank God for His great love  for sending His only beloved Son into the world to be born in Bethlehem  to be with us.  As we decorate our houses for Christmas, children ask some  questions to parents, as to why we are putting this Christmas tree, why this crib, etc, etc.  and as a parent or guardian, we have to answer their questions.  So just a small information on how the Christmas crib and tree came into existence.

Christmas :

would bear a Son and He would be our Saviour.   Baby Jesus was born in a stable at  Bethlehem.   His mother Mary, wrapped him in swaddling clothes. The angels sang and the shepherds came and adored him.     

 We all know the first Christmas.  The Prophets had prophesied that a virgin 

The Christmas Crib : 

St Francis of Assissi gave us one of the most beautiful Christmas customs.  Once when he was on a hillside outside a small town named Greccio, he wanted to celebrate the Christmas mass in his cave.  Upon obtaining the permission, from the Holy Father, he asked the people there to bring their animals – donkeys, sheep, ox to the cave where he was staying.  He also set up a CRIB as there been in Bethlehem.    Then the people celebrated their midnight mass.  During the mass, as St. Francis was proclaiming the Gospel,  He was so filled with love, that all the people saw a vision in which they saw St Francis reaching down the crib and lifting up Baby Jesus.  It was real and alive.  All the people were so overflowed with joy and love at this great event and it is said that they did not need their torches to go home.  That night they were glowing with love for Jesus Christ.  Thus came the custom of having cribs after that event.

Christmas Tree - 

St Boniface was a priest from England, who had gone to Germany to convert the pagan worshippers.  They were least bothered of what the priest was telling them.  In a fit of rage, St. Boniface cut down the oak tree, which they considered as their god and would worship on 25^th of December.  The pagans were angry with him and now St. Boniface had to worry how to calm them down.    Finally he decided to give them the EVERGREEN  Tree as a sign of what Jesus was offering them.  The leaves of this tree always points up to Heaven and this would be a sign that Jesus was offering, a life that would never end.  So the Christmas tree is a reminder for all of us that God offers us in his Son, EVERLASTING LIFE.

Christmas Plants – Ivy or Holly

Holly has been used for hundreds of years to make wreaths that were hung on the doors of homes and in churches.  It is also a reminder of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when He was crucified.  The red berries represent the drops of blood that fell from Jesus head.  It is also a reminder of Gods’ love for us, that Gods’ love never ends.  

Santa Claus

We know him a jolly red face and white beard.   The story also goes to that St. Nicholas used to help three daughters of a poor farmer.  The farmer was so poor that he couldn’t afford to get his daughters married.  St. Nicholas knew them and wanted to help but he didn’t want anyone to know that he was helping them.  He used to climb the roof and  drop money gold coins in the girls stocking, which had been hung by fire to   dry.   It is no wonder  that you will  find gifts or sweets outside St. Nicholas church still now.   

Remember Christmas is a season of giving.  God gave His only Son, Jesus,  to be borne as a human for us.  Jesus came to give his life for us.   There is more joy in giving than receiving.  The best way to celebrate Christmas is to go for a good confession and keep our soul pure to receive Jesus.   Also try to remember the unfortunate ones, the people who are  suffering from natural calamities, the people who can’t celebrate Christmas this year, etc, etc.

As Christmas draws near and as we decorate our homes, let us take some time to tell our little loved ones the importance of Christmas and teaching them of God’s love for us. 

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and may God pour his choicest blessing for 2012.

Udyavarites - A Funfilled Family Day At Safa Park

Report By: Canute Moras

Photographs by: Lancy Martis

It was fun and frolic for Members of “Udyavarites”, their families and friends. Yes, it was Picnic Day for about 125 like minded people who gathered at SAFA Park on Friday 9th December.

Udyavarites Family Picnic - Group Album

Donald Machado Handling Registration

Jennifer Suares MC-ing

All Set To Begin

Comedy King Francis Fernandes Cascia Being Honoured

The Pereira Family - Gerald Pereira (Founder President) Being Congratulated On His 25th Wedding Anniversary

The Sack Race

Ball Dodging

Passing the Ball

The Picnic commenced with Prayer and Hymn in honour of our beloved Patron St Francis Xavier followed by Welcome speech by newly appointed President Mr Gilbert D’Sa. The Fun activities started by formation of four groups with names of fruits such as Kiwi, Orange, Mango and Grapes. Varieties of group activities were arranged for stimulating the Brains and Brawns.


In the 1st session, Group games - Ball Dodging, Passing the Ball and Sack Relay Race and Quiz - names of places from Bajpe to Udyavara were conducted. Delicious Homemade lunch prepared by various Committee members was served to reenergize the exhausted minds and bodies and get ready for the 2nd session.

Its Time to Enjoy Delicious Home Made Food

Santa Clause Is Coming to Town

Skit Enacting "Sairik Pollemvchem"

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The Post Lunch session consisted of group activities for the creative minds such as d(b)umb charades and skit with “Sairik Polovnchen” Theme. The skits were very hilarious and the audience had a great time. The last but not the least item was the Housie- Housie. The Group performance was evaluated on basis of points, the overall Group winner was the king of fruits “Mango”. Also, there were loads of spot prizes for the enthusiast. The picnic ended with a Vote of Thanks.
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Our Special guest, Renowned Dramatist Mr. Francis Fernandes Cassia joined the picnic. He was felicitated and Bid Farewell as he was leaving Dubai for good. Also, our founder President Gerald Pereira was felicitated on his Marriage Anniversary silver jubilee.

The event was well compared by Robert Fernandes and the games were conducted by Antony D’Silva and Jennifer Suares.
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It is noteworthy, that Udyavarites had elected new Office bearers last month and they are as below,

President - Gilbert D’Sa

Vice President - Antony DSilva

Secretary - Rohan Suares

Treasurer - Donald Machado

Auditor - Louis Danti

PR Manager - Gerald Pereira

Asst. PR Manager- Canute Moras

Udyavarites Picnic - Be There On 8th Feb.2013

ಉದ್ಯಾವರೈಟ್ಸ್ ಪಿಕ್ನಿಕಾಕ್ ಯೆಯಾತ್...........

 

Udyavarites are gearing-up for their Annual Fun-Filled Picnic on 8th Feb. 2013 and you are all cordially invited to come along with your relatives and friends.  The details are as follows:

Date : 8th February 2013 (Friday)
Time : 11.30AM to 5:30 PM

Venue : Safa Park, Dubai (Gate # 4)

President & Committee Members
Udyavarites, U.A.E.



For details, please contact :

050 4961235 (Mr. Gerald Pereira)
050 4505388 (Mr. Anthony D'Silva)
050 1689159 (Mr. Donald Machado)
050 8773450 (Mr. Clarence D’Souza)
050 4592185 (Mr. Vivian D’Silva)
050 5458389 (Mr. Gilbert D'Sa)

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

As we enter the season of Advent on Sunday, we wait and prepare for his coming.   The word   “Adventus”  (in Latin) means coming.  As Christians  we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ.  But how prepared are we for his second coming?

All the Prophets in the Old Testament told us about his coming. He came and He conquered sin.  He made us all his brothers and sisters by dying on the cross and washing our sins by his precious Blood. 

Some believed, some   have started believing and some are like the people, who never change.  Now for those who believed  and have started believing; we look forward for his second coming.  Is it today, tomorrow or after a year; or after a decade.  It is not for us to know.  Only the Father in Heaven knows and has set a time for his   son to be judge for the world.

First Jesus came as our Saviour, i.e. He laid his life for his  sheep and become the good  Shepherd.   Now    He will come as a Judge, to separate the sheep from the goats. 

Jesus always taught and told us about his Fathers kingdom.  He also assured us that there are many rooms in His  Fathers’  kingdom.  On the day of his judgement, he will make the righteous  people sit on his right side and carry them to his kingdom.   The people   on his left will be put in eternal fire where they will  cry and grind their teeth.

I know that Jesus will come again; He has said this and his words are true.  For me the question is, how prepared am I to meet Him.  When He comes, do I have the strength and courage to talk to Him and to see Him eye to eye.  Will  I be  happy to meet my Savior, my brother?  Blessed are the people who think that they can do this.  What am I doing right now so that he will make me sit on the righteous side?  Am I doing what He wants   me to do; to take care of the sick, poor, the needy, the prisoner……?

But one thing that makes me happy about His second coming is,  when Jesus comes in glory sitting on the clouds, atleast  at that time, people who have not believed will see with their own eyes and recognize and know that Jesus was their only savior.  I am happy   that all people from all over the world will know and tell that God of Christians is a true God.  It is only for this reason, I look forward for His second coming, so that the whole world will adore, honour and praise Him as He rightly deserves.

As the angels prophesied to the disciples; “Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven”.   As I  keep looking  towards Heaven,  I  wonder,  has my faith grown bigger than the mustard seed…….?  So till He comes, atleast I will try to  keep on doing good. 

God Bless,

Regards

Janet Crasto

ACTS OF CONSECRATION TO THE INFANT JESUS

Divine Infant Jesus, I adore thee, I love and venerate Thee in the mysteries

of  Thy Holy infancy.    I give thee thanks that Thou hast become a child for

love  of me and in return  I give and  consecrate myself entirely to the love

of Thee.  I beg of Thee to grant me, now and throughout my life, the virtues

of Thy holy childhood.  Give me, dear Jesus, the treasure of Thy humility, the

sweetness of Thy charity, Thy gentle patience, Thy prompt obedience, Thy

humble meekness and simplicity.  O, may Thy sweet grace draw me to love 

and imitate Thee, a little one on earth,  that I may forever see and enjoy

Thy majesty in heaven.  Amen.

MONTHI FESTH 2011 BY UDYAVARITES, UAE

Report By: Canute Moras – Udyavara / Abu Dhabi

“Udyavarites “ the association of Udyavara Parishioners in UAE,  celebrated the  Feast of Nativity (Monthi Festh) on 23^rd September at Bangalore Empire Restaurant Banquet Hall.

The feast commenced with Bible reading by Vinitha Fernandes followed by  Prayer led by our Special guest Rev Fr James Dsouza, Parish Priest of Belthangady . 

 Our Blessed Mother Mary was Honoured and Praised by showering of flowers and by singing  of hymns “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan" and  “Moriyek Hogolsiyan” in a traditional way thus recollecting the way we celebrate the feast in our homeland. The new corn and “Noven” was blessed by Rev. Fr James Dsouza and he wished Udyavarites and all attendees peaceful and successful future.

The well attended gathering of approx 200 guests were Welcomed by Udyavarites President Mr. Vivian D’silva. He expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors, well wishers and supporters of the Organisation who have relentlessly supported over the last 11 years and requested them to continue doing the same in the future.  The Sponsors were also Felicitated during the programme.

In keeping up with the Traditional Menu, Delicious food was served by Bangalore Empire restaurant.

The Programmed was compared by well known MC Uttam Menezes. The audience were consistently entertained with Hilarious Skits by Gilbert Dsa, Antony Dsilva, Jeffery Castelino, Joacky Dsouza & Donny Periera.  To keep up the entertainment level, Fancy dress competition was held and many kids and also adults showcased their Talent. Throughout the programme live Music was performed by “Simple” the Band by Ms. Monica, Tushara & team.

 

Vote of Thanks was delivered by ex President Mr Donald Ronald Machado and the Programme ended with a floor tapping Baila. All Attendees left with a word of appreciation and looking forward for celebrations from Udyavarites.