Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
City spends Xmas eve at home, with friends, family
Due to the pandemic and night curfew, residents to stay indoors; midnight mass goes virtual
THANE: Residents across the city are reduced to celebrating this year’s Christmas within the confines of their homes owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Although churches in Thane, Kalyan and Navi Mumbai have put up the customary decorations, Christmas tree and the crib, there will not be any Midnight Mass held on a large scale on Christmas eve.
Fr Gerald Fernandes, Parish Priest, St. John the Baptist Church, Thane, said, “We are following all the protocols and regulations as suggested by the Archdiocese of Bombay. We have kept two virtual Mass on Christmas Eve and on the day of Christmas. We have requested all the parishioners to attend the same with family from their homes itself. Although we have made a crib within the church, we do not encourage visitors to come in groups.”
Binny Mathew, 46, a resident of Sector 17, Vashi, said, “With the night curfew in place, we will not be able to spend much time outdoors. Yet, we will try to visit the church on Christmas and maybe meet some relatives and friends for lunch outside. Unlike the previous years, we will hardly have guests at home for Christmas this year. It would just be my family.”
All the Mass will be wrapped up before 9pm. Hardly groups of 50 will be allowed to attend these Mass during the day. Meanwhile, churches have decorated and maintained themes as well, despite the current situation. Most of the cribs and decorations in the city also revolve
Although we have made a crib within the church, we do not encourage visitors to come in groups
FR GERALD FERNANDES, Thane
around Covid.
In Navi Mumbai, the parish priest of St Joseph’s Church in CBD Belapur, Fr Venancio Mascarenhas, said, “Along with the crib, we have also displayed all the vaccines by different medical companies that are awaiting approval across the world. Everyone has resorted to a different lifestyle this year and through our crib, we want to display the ray of hope that vaccines could bring.”
While many have opted to make the most of the long weekend and planned small holidays and outings, the Christian community is celebrating at home this year. “Most of my friends have planned trips to the nearby resorts. However, I will be celebrating at home with family. We shall dress up like we used to for Midnight Mass and have a virtual meet up with the family. We have spent more time this year decorating our house as we could not partake in any church activity,” said Neona D’Cruz, 24, of Khadakpada, Kalyan.
Markets in Thane and Navi Mumbai continue to be crowded with shoppers looking out for Christmas special goodies, decorations and festive offers. Even malls are decorated with the festive spirit.
There’s a huge demand this year for decorations, cakes and Christmas-themed sweets this year. Crowd outside bakery shops were high.