It was a joyful celebration when choirs from many different parish and multicultural groups came together at Marsfield for the annual Divine Word Missionaries’ Christmas Carols by Candelight.
The joy of the occasion was not confined to those present, with funds raised throughout the evening going to disadvantaged youth in Laos. Christmas cakes on sale also raised funds for Cana Communities to assist their work with homeless people.
Rector of the SVD Marsfield Community, Fr Viet Nguyen, welcomed all those who had come to take part in the carols.
“Many of you have come from places far away from here to celebrate this event with us,” he said.
“We are gathering together to pray and to welcome Jesus with our whole heart, and we pray together by singing carols of joy and peace to each other.”
The lineup included: St Kevin’s Parish Eastwood choir; St Anthony’s Parish Marsfield choir; St Arnold Janssen’s choir; Macquarie Fields Parish choir; Indonesian Youth Choir; Epiphany Prayer Group Choir; Bible Group Choir; Chinese Choir; Laos group; Vietnamese Youth Choir; and the VD and Holy Spirit Sisters’ choir.
As in previous years, a highlight of the program was the singing of Silent Night in different languages. Many of the groups wore tradition dress, which added to the beauty of the occasion.
Children were treated to a visit from not one, but two Santa Clauses! In a comic routine, the Santas said one of them was from the north and the other from the south. The kids didn’t care that they were seeing double, as it meant double the chance of receiving Santa’s small gift of sweets.
Cs for the evening, Kim and Frances, told the gathering that Christmas time is the time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus.
“Jesus is the reason for the season,” they said.
“And Advent is a time for prayer and reformation of our hearts. If God is to become really present in us, then his fire will have to be present in our prayer and in our lives.”
They said Christmas is a time for joy.
“The Christmas message is one of joy because God is with us. We can communicate this joy simply with a smile, a kind gesture or forgiveness. Let us pray then, that this joy shines through us.”
Following the carols, all enjoyed a multicultural meal and fellowship together.
