PANAJI
Amid a resurgence of Covid cases in the State and across the country, people exercised caution at religious services in churches and chapels as well as social programmes at prominent venues while marking Christmas celebrations in the State.
Many parishes decided to celebrate additional Masses on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, to balance the restrictions in the number of people permitted to attend each Mass and the large number of Catholic faithful eager to participate in the services.
As has been the prevailing practice amid the pandemic, churches and chapels took precautions and drew up elaborate arrangements to ensure compliance of SOPs of the archdiocese and government regulations, which include sanitisation, social distancing and use of face masks.
During Christmas midnight services, many priests reminded their congregations that Christmas is not merely to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus 2000 years ago, but to celebrate the love which God has showed by sending his only Son to be their Saviour.
They also encouraged the Catholic faithful to share whatever they can with the poor and needy at this Christmas.
