Mumbai: Christmas spirit charmed the city Wednesday. People gathered along Carter Road, Bandra, to take selfies against a festive backdrop of Santa Claus, his sleigh and a large Christmas tree. Mumbai Meri Jaan Foundation devised a selfie point outside Victoria Church in Mahim adorned with dazzling backdrops. Residents of Blossom Society in Marol turned their compound into fairyland with designer lights and crib.
Annual reunions took place in Amboli Andheri, IC Colony Borivli, and Matharpacady Mazgaon, where Catholics who have moved abroad for work return home. Historian Deepak Rao said, “On X’Mas Day our old friends of all religions gather at a bungalow in Santacruz. This is the residence of Jennifer Rodriques whose 90-year-old father, a retired motorman, is the life of the party!”
Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias celebrated his final Christmas mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba. He completed 80 years of age that very day and will retire shortly.
Fr Austin Norris led mass beneath the charming red green decoration in St Paul’s Dadar. At Our Lady of Lourdes, Malad, one of the largest parishes, Fr Aniceto Pereira kept the church open for devotees of different faiths to seek ‘darshan’ of the Christ child. Thane’s Our Lady of Mercy organised a grand fiesta and Nativity float under Fr Baptist Viegas. In Bandra, Fr Clifford D’Souza of St Andrews Church said they blessed and inaugurated the parish crib by their confirmation students. Cake and snacks went around at St Andrews Marathi Church (CNI), in Agripada, Byculla, said joint treasurer Cyril Dara.
