PANJIM: Christmas was celebrated all over Goa. Unlike last year where there were restrictions due to Covid pandemic and celebrations were limited, many churches were open in the State and midnight Masses held, with Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) being maintained.
Few churches did not announce their Mass timings, because the parish priests felt there would be crowds thronging to the churches. However, people in the parish, who really missed the Christmas Midnight Mass last year, turned up for the Midnight Mass to maintain the festive spirit.
Many churches erected pandals outside the church premises fearing that the seats/benches in the church would not be sufficient, due to SOPs.
However, parish priests in many churches said despite some of the pandals not being covered on the top, parishioners came out for the Midnight Mass.
Many villagers ventured to make cribs outside their homes and lit the streets with light to make up for the festive spirit.
“There was lot of dew, but Christians braved the cold and came to attend the Midnight Mass,” said a parish priest from Salcete and added that others who couldn’t come for the Mass at night, attended the Mass in the morning.
A parish in the North, saw the church filled up to its capacity with Christians at midnight.
“Since we had enough of space in the church, we accommodated many parishioners and even managed to have a small gatherings in our church hall,” said the priest.
Many families in the State had small Christmas celebrations at home for their families. With the State Government not imposing night curfew, many ventured to go and celebrate outside, few of them having lunch and dinners in the restaurants.
