Thousands throng Bkt Nanas for Christmas Vigil Masses

Jan 16, 2015

By Bernard Anthony
Thousands of migrants and international citizens joined local Catholics to celebrate the 2014 Christmas Vigil with Masses at the Cathedral of St John (SJC). Some 6,500 were present for the four Christmas Vigil Masses. Two were held in the cathedral in English and the third in Vietnamese at the carpark area of the Community Services Centre (CSC). The fourth was held in Myanmarese in the hall of St John’s Institution (SJI).

Tents were erected and the altar had a backdrop that announced the joyous celebration. A crib was set up at the foot of the large tree in the carpark area with a Christmas tree beside it. A large Star of Bethlehem hung from a lamp post. Mass was celebrated by a Vietnamese priest. Fellowship, Christmas carols and performances kept the migrants entertained until Christmas morning.

The Myanmar Community celebrated Christmas Vigil with Mass and fellowship and performances at St John’s Institution Hall. More than a thousand were present.

As in previous years, the migrants stayed back till early morning on Christmas Day. They shared a fellowship meal, played games and sang carols.

The crib in the Cathedral this Christmas was done by the Filipino Community. The 7.30pm Vigil Mass in English was celebrated by Msgr James Gnanapiragasam, while the 10.30pm Vigil Mass was by Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam concelebrated with a visiting Filipino priest. The children put up an inspiring Christmas musical at 10.00pm.

The thousands who attended were of many nationalities.

On Dec 25, several thousands thronged the Cathedral for the three Christmas Masses to celebrate the Birth of Christ, praising God for giving us the Messiah and to welcome Jesus into our hearts.