Spreading Xmas spirit through sharing

 

St Patrick’s Church at St Thomas Mount, which Friday finished its annual three day Mount Festival, will be helping flood affected families, living in nearby areas to rebuild their lives. 

Fr Christu Raj, Parish Priest and Rector, said: “This year our celebrations and decorations will not be as grand as they are every year. Many people need help after the floods. The church, with help from members faithful to the church, will help donate essential materials to them.” The church is not spending on decorations and lighting on the scale that they used to spend every year. Every year, there are people singing carols ahead of Christmas celebrations and visiting homes dressed as Santa. This year, there will be no such celebration, said Fr Christu Raj. “We will be having a simple celebration this year, ” he said.

 

The church members are to conduct a free medical camp this Sunday, for people affected by floods, in collaboration with St. Thomas Hospital. The Rector said “Each family will adopt a person and buy things according to that person’s need. There are about 2000 persons faithful to the church who will, through the church, help out these 700 families, either the flood affected or the poor.”

 

Coming Sunday and Monday, these families will be provided one month  grocery   to help them build their lives back. Santhome, another famous church in Chennai, which usually begins getting decorated and lit a week ahead of the festive season, has not begun decorations yet.

 

Fr Antony said: “The usual mass will be there on Christmas eve and on the day of Christmas.” The church is collecting things required for flood-affected and will be distributing it. Luz Church will be helping flood-affected slums by distributing essentials like books and clothing  by reducing the level of festivities.