The sense of occasion was overwhelming. A scan of the crowds inside and around the church would make one imagine it was the build-up before Christmas or Easter mass. It wasn’t. A few weeks back, we were privileged to witness the re-consecration of St John the Baptist Church in Thane. The 433-year-old church had been restored to its former glory, and the entire suburb, parishioners and others, had turned up to be a part of the celebration. The wooden altar, intricate sculpting, and tasteful refurbishing invited wows from all quarters.

As the celebrants, comprising of the Cardinal, priests and nuns, entered the church, amidst the lilting notes of the entrance hymn, we noticed that a few women draped in traditional East Indian saris (representing one of Thane’s oldest indigenous communities) and school girls from St John’s dressed in Bharatanatyam costumes, were also a part of the procession. After a short performance of the dance form these little dancers did an aarti-tilak for the celebrants. What ensued for the next 90 minutes was a vibrant and inclusive celebration.