With Christmas round the corner, markets are already wearing a festive look, carol singers are visiting societies and a festival of choirs has been planned this weekend. At the Diocese of Poona, a unique effort is being made to raise funds for children with congenital heart defects. While star-shaped lanterns adorn shops at markets and huge Christmas trees have already come up at the entrance of shopping malls, a group of 10-15 college students under the aegis of St. Patrick’s Cathedral visited several societies at Wanowrie and Fatima Nagar on Tuesday, singing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. “Apart from spreading the Christmas cheer, we also want to raise funds for purchasing blankets for the poor,” says Lisa Fernandes, first-year BBA student of Symbiosis and among the St. Patrick’s Cathedral group carolling away at societies. At St. Patrick’s cathedral, a festival of choirs has also been organised on December 19 and 20. A Christmas bazaar with home-made delicacies would also be held on the occasion, Parish priest and Rector Father Wilfred Fernandes told The Newsline. The Diocese of Poona has also organised a dance on December 27 titled ‘Saving Little Hearts’ in association with St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Marian Cardiac Centre and Research foundation. Dr Manoj Durairaj, cardiac surgeon and director of the foundation, said that the initiative aims to raise funds to operate upon children who need open heart surgery at the earliest.
