The evening of December 28 saw Christmas celebrations at the Archbishop’s House on Park Street where people from all faiths — Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Sikh, Jain and Christian — gathered to share the joy. People from all walks of life were part of the gathering. Dignitaries at the event included Dominic Savio SJ, principal of St Xavier’s College; Fr Raphael Hyde, provincial superior, Calcutta Jesuit Province; Rev Fr Jeyaraj Veluswamy SJ, rector of St Xavier’s Community; and Franklin Menezes, pro-vicar of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary.

Vicar general Fr. Dominic Gomes said, “The tradition of a Christmas get-together on the grounds of the Archbishop’s House began in 2011 and coincided with a fantastic initiative by our chief minister Mamata di (Mamata Banerjee), the Calcutta Christmas Festival on Park Street, which is the biggest Christmas get-together in this wonderful city of ours. After a two-year break necessitated by the pandemic, we are indeed glad to have the gracious presence of members of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, members of the West Bengal legislative assembly, respected consul generals, doctors, provincials, industrialists, principals, and all the other respected dignitaries for this distinctive Christmas get-together. It was such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas together as one family from different walks of life. A universal festival of love, peace and thanksgiving that calls to one and all with His message of light and hope.”

The Archbishop of Calcutta, Reverend Thomas D’Souza, said, “Jesus is born in me when I am honest and transparent, when I am compassionate to others, when I appreciate his or her uniqueness, when I value variety and gender equality, and when I listen to others’ perspectives and opinions.”

The Kolkata Christian Choir (KCC), the vernacular choir of the Archdiocese of Calcutta led by Dilip Rozario, performed two Bengali carols honoring the birth of Jesus Christ and the delightful celebrations that are associated with it. Andrea Gomes organised and performed a dance for the second carol that featured folk music and Angelina joined her as her partner.

The nativity tale was told in the stylised song and dance piece Sundor Aji Elo, which was choreographed, narrated, and beautifully performed by a group of children.

(L-R) Chandan Bhambani, Hiyatullah Khan, Rajendra Singh and Imran Zaki

Richa Sharma

Jessica Gomes Surana

Sanjay Budhia

Archbishop of Calcutta, Rev. Thomas D’Souza

A musical about the birth of Jesus Christ was staged at the event

Pictures: Rashbehari Das