EXACTLY ten years ago this Thursday, there was much hype, excitement and I dare say much concern about the changeover from one decade to the next, even as the Y2K Millennium bug was being talked about in every corner you turned. It flooded the media and people were—if I can use the word—scared!

So what do people do when all hope is lost and when they are frightened and nervous about what seemed to be an impending world technological glitch and disaster of the time and ages? They seek out God.

Old Year’s night has been sort of “Christianised” for what reason I do not know. Only Christians attend church on Old Year’s night. Don’t you think if spending the first moments of any New Year was so important then maybe the other religions would employ the practice of Old Year’s night services? But so far they have not. Today, many families choose to remain at home and spend a quiet evening with each other. Some attend parties throughout the night. Others choose to attend church and then go home afterwards. But the majority (and I believe this is hypocritical) would go to church (take Holy Communion, as some churches offer this) and do the questionable after church.

We will be changing decades again this Thursday evening, so I wonder if it will be déjà vu again.

In 2006, I was appalled at the loud outburst, screaming, and lighting of squibs and fireworks at the stroke of midnight while Mass was going on! The entire service was thrown off balance! The priest was perplexed and mad. A few adults had to be persistently vocal before some order was restored.

I would attend church on Old Year’s Night for the last time the following year, and that would be it. I cannot take it anymore. The church is usually jam- packed with a set of people you have never seen all year, all decked out in their evening wear, and many going up for Communion (which should not be the case), and an atmosphere which I have grown to dislike over the past two years. And speaking to many persons, I seem to have a lot of company.
So I will stay home Thursday night, and have no apologies to make.
LEON JAMESON SUSERAN