Gujarati Catholics hold Christmas celebrations in New Jersey

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Indian-Americans originally from Gujarat who follow the Catholic faith held a rousing Christmas celebration Dec. 28, 2029, at the Holy Savior Academy of Sacred Heart Church in South Plainfield, N.J.

Scores of people attended the annual event which for the first time, was organized by the Youth Wing of Gujarati Catholic Samaj of USA, according to Irena, one of the youth organizers, who spoke to ITV Gold.

The event was “packed with performances” dinner time karaoke and Garba performances by several groups, and with a live band. The singer at the event was Prakash Parmar, who told ITV Gold, he had been performing at the Gujarati Catholic Samaj Christmas event for the last 3 years.

Gujarati Catholic Samaj of USA has been organizing the annual Christmas celebration since it’s was formed in 2010.

“The festivity and tradition continues at the eve of our 10th anniversary with new, fresh, energetic youth leadership. We are so pleased and very much proud of our youth wing who has taken up the responsibilities to arrange and manage the whole event,” the GCS of USA said on its website.

Among the guests present at the event was Father Andrew Nisari, Father John Alvarado, as well as Sisters Chetna and Anjana.

Father Nisari noted how Gujarati Catholics from near and far had come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He thanked the organizers and wished everyone a \Merry Christmas and a New Year full of promise, in his interview with ITV Gold.

Father Alvarado evoked biblical scenes to make his point about the joyful occasion.

Sister Chetna, speaking to ITV Gold, gave her blessings to those present and wished all a happy new year. Sister Anjana said it was her first time at the celebration, and that she was happy at being with her own community.

The mission and vision of the GCS of USA, a non-profit organization, is “to bring our community together to unite, preserve and propagate and grow the rich cultural heritage of Gujarati Catholics in the world,” the website says. In the U.S. the organization strives to bring together Gujarati Catholics with a view to providing “a forum for social, religious, cultural, educational, economical and charitable interaction among its members, of this great, blessed and adopted country… The United States of America.”

The GCS of USA organizes various programs, events, educational fundraising activities, and education developmental projects for the community, including social events, annual celebrations, entertainment, seminars on social awareness, religious awareness, and to stay connected to families, relatives and friends back home in Gujarat, the organization says.