On 18^th December 2016 at 3.00 p.m, the Auxilium Aspirantate community celebrated Christmas with the Oratorians, NCP children along with their parents, SHG, IGP Women and DB Tech students.  Each group presented their programme  consists of dance, song and action song. 220 participants were present for the celebration. The aspirants enacted the Christmas scene through a short skirt and intoned Christmas carols. Sr. Leelamma,the animator concluded a program with a Christmas message.  Each one was given a snack packet along with Christmas cake prepared by the women and sisters. Everyone returned home with the joy of Christmas.

This year Christmas had a new experience as Auxilium Barasat ventured to celebrate Christmas with people in periphery. On 18^th December six teachers along with Sr. Basanti went to juvenile jail to share the joy of Christmas with 130 young boys. They sang Carrols and distributed cake, sweet and an orange. The boys had a smile on their faces and they felt that there are good people who think about them. The staff members assured the further reach out programmes in order to develop their talents and abilities as some of them are gifted with various talents.

The other group of 23 elderly people whom Auxilium convent Barasa
t is supporting with rice and dal every week had Christmas get together on 23^rd December at 2.30 pm. They gathered in the Mazzarello hall where aspirants performed program to convey the message of Christmas. It was the first time those elderly people came to celebrate Christmas and experience the peace and joy of the birth of Christ. They were given tea party and addition of things in their ration. At the end they expressed their gesture of gratitude by meeting all the sisters and wishing for Christmas.

The joy of Christmas were expressed in sharing with different groups; boarders, house & office staff and Carrol singing groups from different institutions. The Holy Mass at 10.45 in FC convent brought together all the religious institutions. This was another moment of being together to manifest the joy and happiness of Christmas. The well-lighted house and unique crib gave lots of newness in the celebration. The thought of Emmanuel, God with us lingered in the heart and mind of everyone on and after Christmas.

On Thursday, 17^th December to inculcate the spirit of caring and sharing, students of St. Anthony’s School, Jaigaon, were encouraged to contribute for the solidarity day and they turned up with incredible response in material things as well as in monetary aid. Prior to the celebration, students of class XI were given the responsibility to survey the neighbourhood. They made extensive preparation to hold Christmas celebration for the underprivileged children.

On 17^th December in the first hour, sports events were organized for around 300 of them. The students also entertained them with carols. It was followed by a tea party. Students then invited Sr. Lily, the superior, to distribute the packed gifts for each of them.

At the end of the day, the students of class XI although exhausted, they were delighted. They expressed their feelings of joy and satisfaction they experienced in reaching out to the less privileged ones of the society.

Ms. Sabita Rai