RC priest: Put Jesus back into Christmas

Stay awake.

So advised Fr David Khan of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church at Harris Promenade, San Fernando, on Sunday during holy mass.

“Stay awake” are the watchwords of advent, the priest said, which means the beginning in the celebration of the coming in the Lord. The RC church worldwide celebrated the start of advent on Sunday.

“Advent is a period of rejoicing. Staying awake does not mean you will not sleep again. It means that you will be conscious that Jesus is ever-present. He is always with us,” Khan told the spaced-out congregation.

“Many people say they are preparing for Christmas, and yes, advent is part of that preparation. Some are making the place spick and span, but they do not welcome Jesus, and none of the gatherings are about Jesus.” He called on people to put Jesus back into Christmas, saying many people celebrated the event sitting and chatting.

The worshippers were maintaining physical distancing and the wearing of masks. On entry, they sanitised, and people were not allowed to sit on certain pews in keeping with the regulations to prevent the spread of covid19.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh recently said he spoke to local church leaders to encourage members to follow health guidelines in the church and home.

There were three masses Sunday morning at the church which Khan and Fr Jayson Grell officiated separately.

Grell said, “We are so blessed, we are so fortunate to have Jesus. God woke us up this morning.”