My home parish has about 800 families spread out to 7 villages....close by....the distance is about 5km......it is dedicated to Our Lady of Velankanni.....recently declared a shrine.....
The villages are all decorated....its a real feast for the eyes....every nook and corner you see a crib and stars......all small lakes wear a festive look....as some of them are dressed up with lights and decorations....
Young and old.....dressed in traditional East Indian Kupari dress.....boys and girls singing at the top of voices....heralding good news to all.....
A small truck lit up with lights and playing all carols...going round with the carol singers....
This is our village lake....at the entrance of each Catholic village you will either find a Cross or small chapel.....with a small lake around.....which used to provide water for livestock and cultivation...today it is not used but fish and prawn culture is common....
These tiny tots are in christmas vacations....so a lot of time for carol singing.....
They all sang and danced to the tunes of DJ Music playing carols.....
Three choirs joined the carol singers.....young and old....
A great feeling.....to be with the villagers who saw me after many years.....every one shaking hands....saying hi and hello...
All Catholic homes are well decorated....its cold ...temperatures are about 16degrees....
Assistant parish priest Fr. Savio D'Monte, Brother of our friar Leo D'Monte....has won over all the young....he is dressed up in our traditional Kadodi dress....
Parish Priest Fr. Baptist Pereira wearing a traditional catholic cap...which the Portuguese left for the Catholics in 15th century......even today our young ones wear proudly for the weddings and feasts.....
This is how our old women dressed up.....read dress.....today it worn for feasts and weddings only....the church is trying to preserve these tradition and people are responding very positively....
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