Grand cultural evening held as part of CSI Parish 125th year celebrations

By Alex P Kurien

A QUASQUI fiesta was held on Sunday as part of the Quasquicentennial (125th year) celebrations of the Nedungadappally St Thomas CSI Church, witnessed by a huge gathering.

A public meeting presided over by the parish Vicar Rev George Mathew ushered in the celebrations.

The lighting of the lamp by Madhya Kerala Diocese Treasurer Rev Jiji John Jacob who was joined by Clergy Secretary Rev Aniyan K Paul, Laity Secretary Adv Stephen J Daniel and Registrar Adv Sheeba Tharakan ignited the inaugural proceedings of the meeting.

The dignitaries were felicitated by members of the pastorate committee.

A wide array of cultural programmes by various organizations of the church was the highlight of the evening which included a shadow skit by the choir, a hand mime by the Youth League, a candle dance by the Sunday School children, a skit by Women’s Fellowship and fusion by the School of Music.

Above all, the play ‘Kaattinumundoru Kadha Parayan’ (Even the wind has a story to tell), a real-life family story that would make anybody’s eyes moist and hearts flutter, ably directed by Isaac Daniel with an accomplished cast including Rev George Mathew and senior members of the church, stole the limelight.

The evening also witnessed events hosted by the educational institutions that come under the church, besides the outstation parish of Manjathanam.

In a scintillating fashion show, children, youth and senior models walked the catwalk in a distinctive style that won the hearts of the audience for their unique demeanour.

A slide show presented a chronological and systematic account of the formation and growth of the church from a number countable on fingers to over 600 subscribed members, making Nedungadappally’s a vibrant CSI parish.

Separate stalls were set up where women demonstrated their culinary prowess, spreading a line-up of mouth-watering Kerala and Arabic dishes to relieve the hunger pangs of the famished.