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Reporter : Mr. Prashanth D’ Souza, Arva.

December is indeed a joyful season for the Mangalore Diocesan Mission at Sub Saharan Tanzania, East Africa in the Diocese of Same. The much-awaited proclamation of the birth of Jesus began at Kifaru Parish, extended from 20th till 23rd of December 2016. The Kifaru Parish Choir and Drama team proclaimed the message of Christmas of the Birth of Jesus.  They put up a 3 hour long out door Christmas Program of Carols in Ki Swahili , ice breaking games for Children and a thought provoking an hour long drama called the “Fourth Magi”, at the foot hills of Pare Mountains in 4 villages of Kifaru Mission viz.  Kwanyange, Jipe, Kalimani and Kileo.

The Kifaru Parish Catechist Mrs Leonardo Laghua, contextualizing it to the African reality, translated the “Fourth Magi” drama from English to Ki Swahili.  The hour-long play depicted the journey of the “Fourth King”, in search of the babe of Bethlehem, while attending to the needy and underprivileged on the way, which was very powerfully depicted by the parish artists.

In all these villages, the Village chairmen along with the secretaries expressed their joy for bringing the message of Christmas to their far off villages.  At Kwanyange Village people expressed their happiness for having such a program for the first time. At the Jipe Lake which is 1200 meters above sea level, the village Chairperson Mrs Samuel Chemchem expressing her gratitude for organizing the programme said that Christmas is all about peace & love and the Lord Jesus must be born in our hearts.  She urged to have more such public and community building programs in the coming days. The Kalimani Village Chairman expressed that the message given by this program was very powerful which enlightened the people to know the true meaning of Christmas.  He felt that the program has encouraged everyone to share the joy of Christmas with our less fortunate brothers and sisters. He complimented the initiative taken up by the Catholic Church, which brings about peace and harmony in the society.

The Kileo village Chairman Mr. Wilfred Daniel was very grateful for giving an opportunity to the people to witness such a unique program.   He said that the message of the “joy of giving” which was given through the program should be carried to all the families and neighbourhoods.  The Village Secretary Mr. Krispin Kibarin said that such a program must continue every year and the people should be able to find the new spirit of Christmas.

In all these villages, Mr Bonaventure Maro, the Parish Council Chairman addressed the gathering and extended Christmas greetings.  Rev. Fr. Hilary Lobo, the Parish Priest, gave the Christmas Message and blessed the people. The three hour long Program ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Parish Secretary Mrs Protasia Tarimu.  The parish youth Mr. Willard Maro & Ms. Debora Msofe were the Master of Ceremonies.

Several people worked hard for many days to put up this great show.  The Diocese of Stockholm, Sweden supported with needed financial resources.  Fr. Alwyn M J D’Souza, Mission Superior of SMAM took the lead in planning and executing the program. Fr. Victor Machado worked as PRO for organizing the program while Fr. Jason Lobo took the responsibility of Drama & Choir along with Mrs Leonardo Laghua who was the director of the drama.  Bro. Lanson Pinto looked after the sounds and lights and Mr. Prashanth D’ Souza, arranged the stage and transport.  It was an enriching experience to spread the message of Christmas and the “joy of giving”.