Pune: As Christmas is fast approaching, Rt. Reverend Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Poona, revealed the various preparations which are underway for this year’s Christmas celebration.

“Every year there is the Holy Mass which is the climax of Christmas. This year I will be imparting the message of ‘Including All, Excluding None’ to the gathering along with the birth of Christ,” said Dabre. This will be further accompanied by singing by the entire congregation. He also informed that usually 10,000 people attend the Mass but hopes that the number will grow further this year. “We have kept the churches open to all communities and not just for Christians,” he said.
 
According to Dabre, there will be several social functions centring around spreading the message of joy, love and unity. “We have organised visits to various orphanages, widows, disabled people, prisoners to bring about social awareness. Being with family is one of our most important messages and so we will also be organising meals for poor people so that they can eat and celebrate Christmas together,” he further added. 

Another initiative taken up by them is raising money for children requiring paediatric care. “There are several children with heart congenital problems and diseases who often don’t have money for the surgeries. With the help of Dr Manoj Durairaj, a heart surgeon, we have raised money to help these children,” remarked Dabre.
 
“This year especially, I wish to celebrate with people from other religions and so I have planned a Christmas party here at Bishop’s House on the day of Christmas where all the communities are welcome. It will be completely informal with no lectures whatsoever but a simple gathering to get to know and understand each other better,” added Dabre.