Before the start of the SCC in our parish, around 1985, Bazaar road functioned as a ‘Basic Christian Community’ i.e. the BCC which was started by Bishop Bosco in the yr 1980. Few of the residents of Bazaar road came together and formed this community to spread the love of Christ by helping others. They started a number of activities in order to bring people together and reach out to others. They had yearly community masses, visits to the orphanage, pilgrimages to the Mount and also get-togethers. In fact Bazaar road was responsible for starting a study class at St. Sebastian’s hall where not so well to do children were offered academic help. In the 1990’s the ‘Small Christian Community’ was started and our zone was given the name ‘Mary help of Christians’ according to the directives of the church. Through the years the priests of St. Peter’s and the nuns of St. Josephs Convent have helped shape the zone by giving their guidance and help whenever necessary. Bazaar road had been one of the most active zones in the parish.
In 2007 with the help of Fr. Joel, Bazaar road formed its first youth group. This group co-ordinates and initiates many of the activities in the zone with the help of the animators. Some of their activities are as follows
SENIOR CITIZEN GET-TOGETHERS
The youth have a monthly senior citizen get-together where they invite the senior citizens for a fun filled evening of prayer, singing and dancing to some classic oldies.
CHRISTMAS CHEER
To bring in the Christmas cheer, the children along with a few of the youth went around different places in Bazaar road singing Christmas carols a week before Christmas. They also invited everyone to a zonal Christmas get-together held on the 26th of December. It was an evening of fellowship through games, dancing and scrumptious food.
LENTAL PROGRAM
During the lental season, the Stations of the Cross were conducted at St. Joseph’s chapel in Bazaar Road
After Easter we had our annual zonal mass at St. Sebastian’s hall followed by a get-together. Fr. Joel celebrated the mass. After the gospel reading everyone present shared their view of what the reading meant to them instead of the homely. Everyone then enjoyed snacks prepared by the youth and a fun bible quiz.
Fr. Ribes who is our zonal priest personally spent time with each of the families as he went blessing our houses after Easter.
Recently in July, we had a prayer meeting for those receiving conformation in our zone where the animators got to know them and prayed for them and their families.
SPLASH AND SPARKLES
Our creative and enthusiastic children, youth as well as adults in Bazaar road are ever ready and willing to participate in the church events. We have been participating in great nos. for splash and sparkles, be it putting up plays or playing the crazy games.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
We also conduct other activities such as pilgrimages to the Mount, parent’s day get-togethers and out reach programs. The youth also went for a picnic.
Keeping the name of our zone in mind we believe in helping others. We have been to St. Catherine’s home as well as ashray a number of times.
Also keeping up with the tradition, as every year last year too we got together to make flags for Christ the king feast.
On 9th of October, around 30 people from the zone went on a walking pilgrimage to the Mount. A lovely mass was concelebrated by Fr. Joel. It was especially nice to see even the senior citizens, who could not walk come at least for the mass.
We hope in the days to come we are able to reach out to more people and spread the love and joy of Christ.
For further details contact:
Coordinator: Marcellus Gomes
Priest: Fr. Simon D’Souza
Sister: Sr. Reetha K.