LAST HOUR TO FIRST HOUR IN EMPOLI
December 31, 2014 a day of
thanking the Lord for the marvelous year and to inaugurate the
New Year 2015 with full enthusiasm and eagerness. To mark this
event at Santa Maria Church, Empoli, Italy an adoration to the
Blessed Sacrament was conducted by Fr Manoj Braganza, Assistant
parish priest. During this hour all the faithful on their knees
adored the Eucharistic Lord and expressed their gratitude for
the year 2014. After which at 6-00pm, thanksgiving Holy
Eucharist was presided over by Fr Donath, the parish priest. Fr
Roshan Lobo preached a homily explaining the presence of Jesus a
midst us and the role of Mary, the Mother of God in the church
and in the life of humanity. After the Spiritual celebration all
the faithful congregated in the parish hall to share the
fellowship dinner of the last hour of 2014 which commenced at
8-00pm. During which Fr Donath invoked the grace of God through
prayer and thanked for all those people who were instrumental in
organizing this unique event. When the clock knocked the last
minute of 2014, the entire gathering with jubilation, celebrated
the first moments of the New Year along with the parish
community with songs and dance. Thus a warm welcome to the first
hour of 2015 was declared.