Every year, an inter-parish Christmas carols competition is conducted in December at Our Lady of Guidance Church in R. A. Puram. This event is curated by the youth community and also showcases the talent of the youth across the city.
This year, the silver jubilee celebrations of Chriscar took place on December 5 in the church campus. The event was organised by the Youth Guidance Friends led by its president Kinsley Immanuel and his team under the guidance of parish priest Rev Fr Y. F. Bosco.
The event was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Stanley Sebastian, vicar general of Madras Mylapore who was the chief guest for the event. The special guest was Sha VJ who anchors the Colours TV dance show.
A number of priests and nuns sat through the evening of carols, some classic, some new.
Among the guests were Fr Ronald Richard, youth director of the diocese, former parish priest Fr A. Antonysamy who is currently the spiritual director of San Thome Cathedral, Fr. Patrick Paul, secretary of the archbishop, Fr Lourdes Marcel, assistant parish priest, Sister Elizabeth and Brother Satish.
The local church youth girls co-ordinator Merita and her team lent their hand in organising the show.
The event began with a soul stirring performance by the children’s choir of the host parish led by Jerry Marshall and Mercy.
Thirteen teams participated in the event. The judges were Fr Joe Bala, Dr Narayanan, Priya Prakash and Pokkishiya Sandra, all playback singers. The judges were arranged by choirmasterX. Paulraj.
The first prize went to Our Lady of Visitation Church parish of Abiramapuram, the second place was bagged by Sagayamadha Parish, Bharathiyar Nagar, near Ennore, while the third place was won by Mary Help of Christians Church, Basin Bridge.
The Vimal award for the best instrument player went to Sam Lawrence from Annai Velankanni Shrine.
This event attracts a big audience and this time, some 500 people sat through the musical evening. The funds collected on this occasion were contributed towards the parish’s educational scholarships.
– Report by Juliana Sridhar
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