Mega light and sound program with the support of about 60 young people

 

A mega light and sound program was held on Palm Sunday with the support of about 60 young Catholics and was witnessed by about 2,000 people at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Chromepet, Chennai, India.

The message of peace that our Lord Jesus taught us was effectively communicated by the young people in a magnificent way to a huge audience both Catholic and non-Catholic.

This performance will not only galvanize the youth and parishioners, but will also inspire thousands of youth around the world to engage in such holy activities with messages of peace and love to others.

 

DeSIFMA brings out the power of youth!

On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, De Sales International Film and Media Academy (DeSIFMA) in collaboration with the Parish youth of 'Church of the Immaculate Conception', Chromepet, Chennai conducted a mega light and sound programme titled "The Calvary"
About sixty young people actively participated. The program was led by Fr.J Stephen MSFS, Director of DeSIFMA, assisted by Dr. Magimai Pragasam, Dean of Studies, and Fr. Naveen Nirmal MSFS, the Coordinator of DeSIFMA. The entire event was organized by Fr. Backiya Regis, the Parish Priest, assisted by Fr. Louis Britto, Assistant Parish Priest.

A twenty-five square meter stage was erected, in which leading experts in light and sound systems, cinematographic costumes, and makeup artists from the city were hired for this event, which was witnessed by about two thousand people and lasted for more than an hour.
“There is no shortage of skills among young people. We need to skillfully harness them by motivating them and recognizing their talents. As the play of passion involves many characters, and young people have their own imagination, we asked them to choose the roles they like so that they could get deeply involved and committed to the play,” said the director, Fr. J Stephen .
"It is a difficult task for us, since young people are only free in the afternoons and not all of them are free" every day. Therefore, we put together the audio track according to the characters and sent them to all members through the WhatsApp group created for the event and which worked well for us,” said Father Naveén.
“You are not actors and this is not a drama. This is a re-creation of the actual events that happened during Jesus' time in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. You need to act with reverence and piety. If possible, all of you can observe fasting or sacrifice anything you can until the day of the event,” said Fr. Backiya Regis about the first meeting with the young people.
"I was very inspired by the movie 'The Passion of the Christ' by Mel Gibson, and it motivated me to focus more on the agony that our Lord experienced before his death, hence,I added more music and sound effects that could touch the hearts of people. people, allowing them to meditate on the Lord's sacrifice for us," said Father Stephen when speaking of the
production part of the work.
“I was moved and my eyes filled with tears throughout the program,” said one parishioner. "I felt like I was witnessing the events in Jerusalem as they happened," he said.

“We could witness the power of youth. When avenues are created, they exhibit their potentials. These types of opportunities should be offered in other places as well,” said another parishioner.

'Every year the 'Lent season' is an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves intensely in the life of Jesus and be transformed. This program touched my heart. I have made some decisions. Now I am a new person,” said another parishioner with tears in his eyes.
“We had moments of much prayer and emotion, thanks to Fr. Stephen MSFS and his DeSIFMA team, the parishioners and everyone who contributed greatly to the success of the program,” said Fr. Packiya Regis, during his thanksgiving speech.

- Dr. Magimai Pragasam.