How the parish of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Airoli is using the lockdown to grow in faith and family bonding - Danka Ferro
“Go into your houses, my people, and lock your door behind you; Hide for just a moment until the wrath has passed.” (Isaiah 26:20)
The novel coronavirus has turned life topsy-turvy. A miniscule virus invading planet Earth has actually brought the whole world down to its knees.
The lockdown has brought our lives to a standstill! Lockdown confines you to a bizarre way of life you could never have imagined. Instead of parents urging their smartphone-addicted children to talk face to face with friends in physical space, they are suddenly required to limit their interaction with friends to virtual space.
Confined to your home, you are offered a pool of quiet time to re-think your pre-corona life. In fact, it has set up a situation for creatively envisioning a post-COVID-19 life with greater meaning, deeper satisfaction, and spiritual significance than your daily routine before the plague.
We realise that the world will not return to what it was. Everything will be different. And to make a difference, that’s exactly what the parishioners of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Airoli did. The parishioners ‘lived’ each and every precious moment of the (first) 21 days of lockdown. This was only possible because our Parish Priest, Fr Joe D’Mello, guided us and kept each one of us spiritually alive through the social media. He initiated many activities to work from home to keep us going.
Every Sunday, a Bible quiz for all age groups - Sunday School children, youth and elders was circulated to the respective communities; an overwhelming response was received. The early bird entries received attractive gifts. Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday) saw a number of activity Bible quizzes for Sunday School children. The Bible Quiz for the Sunday School kids was organised by Mrs Jacintha Mendonsa, the Sunday School Coordinator.
Our Parish Priest invited each and every family through the respective SCC coordinators to participate in a Work from Home activity on Palm Sunday. This was a task where each family had to prepare a poster, a placard, a painting or any work of art (made from waste material) related to the historical events of Palm Sunday. Thereafter, a video clip containing all the artworks was presented. Not only did we get a fantastic response, but there was a sense of satisfaction as each and every member of the family contributed their effort to preparing this. How precious these family moments are in today’s uncertain world!
Our Parish Priest invited each and every family through the respective SCC coordinators to participate in a Work from Home activity on Palm Sunday. This was a task where each family had to prepare a poster, a placard, a painting or any work of art (made from waste material) related to the historical events of Palm Sunday. Thereafter, a video clip containing all the artworks was presented. Not only did we get a fantastic response, but there was a sense of satisfaction as each and every member of the family contributed their effort to preparing this. How precious these family moments are in today’s uncertain world!
Our Parish Priest invited each and every family through the respective SCC coordinators to participate in a Work from Home activity on Palm Sunday. This was a task where each family had to prepare a poster, a placard, a painting or any work of art (made from waste material) related to the historical events of Palm Sunday. Thereafter, a video clip containing all the artworks was presented. Not only did we get a fantastic response, but there was a sense of satisfaction as each and every member of the family contributed their effort to preparing this. How precious these family moments are in today’s uncertain world! Our Parish Priest invited each and every family through the respective SCC coordinators to participate in a Work from Home activity on Palm Sunday. This was a task where each family had to prepare a poster, a placard, a painting or any work of art (made from waste material) related to the historical events of Palm Sunday. Thereafter, a video clip containing all the artworks was presented. Not only did we get a fantastic response, but there was a sense of satisfaction as each and every member of the family contributed their effort to preparing this. How precious these family moments are in today’s uncertain world!The members of the Parish Prayer Group have allotted a number of hours to offer a chain of prayers (around the clock) in devotion to our Lord. Likewise, the Parish Core group recites the Intercessory prayers during the week. The Sunday School teachers conduct short prayers together. The Lay Missionaries of Charity schedule a specific time for prayer during the day. The Airoli parishioners were regularly updated (by Fr Joe) on Masses and services conducted by the Archdiocese of Bombay, as well as services conducted by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Parishioners attend the live streaming of the Mass celebrated by Cardinal Oswald Gracias on weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. on the Archdiocese of Bombay website. What a prestige and honour for us parishioners to participate in our Cardinal’s Eucharistic celebration every morning. Moreover, we had the opportunity to witness the live streaming of the Holy Week celebrations at the Cathedral. Truly, a holy treat!
Cardinal Oswald Gracias said, “The coronavirus pandemic has made us realise that we need each other. It has given us a new insight into mankind and our behaviour.”
Let us look at the coronavirus event with a sense of positivity – to build a strong spiritual bonding with Almighty God. We need God to take charge of our lives; we hope that we will come out of this together. Use this precious time of lockdown to spend some time with your loved ones, and even to understand yourself.
On behalf of the parish of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, Airoli, wishing each and every one a safe and Happy Easter.