Muscat: Stanley Fernandes Elected President of MCCP

Report: Clarence Pinto
Pics: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, May 22: Stanley T H Fernandes, well-known among Mangaloreans in the Sultanate of Oman as "Dattu" (big brother), has once again taken the charge of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP - Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) as the president for the year 2011 – 2012. The year 2011 – 2012 will be a significant one and a great milestone in the history of MCCP as it will be celebrating the 20th year of its formation.

Stanley Fernandes is known as "the Good Samaritan" to the numerous visiting priests from the coastal Karnataka region. For many Mangaloreans living not only in Muscat but all over Oman, he has been a guiding force of inspiration and many consider him as "the patriarch of the Konkani community in Muscat". He was at the helm of Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP), the only Mangalorean organization under the patronage of Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi, not once but thrice, twice as the president and once as the chairman. He is living and working in the Sultanate of Oman for the last 36 years but still has the stamina of a 20-year-old. He has been considered as one of the most vibrant, versatile, active and cheerful Mangaloreans in the parish of Sts Peter and Paul – Ruwi.

Taking into consideration his unselfish and unceasing service to the parish, he was honoured by Dr Paul Hinder, Bishop of Vicariate of Arabia during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the parish. "Dattu is the right choice for the president’s post while MCCP celebrates its 20th year," said one of the leading members of the Mangalorean community. "Under his wise and able leadership MCCP will enjoy a glorious year of celebrations. We look forward to having a wonderful year ahead."

The rest of the team selected in the executive committee for the year 2011-2012 is as follows :

Vice-president for sports and finance - Eulalia Pinto

Vice-president for cultural, spiritual and community services - Lawrence Alva

General secretary - Prescilla Menezes

Honorary treasurer - Benedict Pereira

Internal auditor - Wilson Mark D'Souza

Cultural secretary - Ambrose Ivan Moras

Sports secretary - Prem Colaco

Spiritual secretary - Mariete P N Fernandes

Community services secretary - Arun Jivraj Lobo

Prior to the formation of the new executive committee 2011-2012, an exciting and entertaining "Nineteenth Annual Day" programme was planned and presented by the outgoing executive committee 2010-2011 under the leadership of Monica Dantis.

Thanksgiving Holy Mass in Konkani was offered at 10.30 am by Mangalorean parish priest of Holy Spirit Church, Ghala, Fr Albert D'Silva, OFM Cap at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi in the presence of a large number of MCCP members. The vibrant and versatile Konkani choir under the leadership of Apolinaris D'Souza gave a scintillating performance.

Immediately after the Holy Mass, a cultural programme commenced at noon with a brilliant patriotic song "Parameshwara", composed by Konkani Sangeethacho Rai Kuvar (Prince of Konkani Music) Oswald D'Souza and Walter Monterio during the time of its inception. Welcome dance was presented by young children of the community, Dale Dantis, Shaina D'Souza, Lenita Lobo, Stacy Vaz, Vanessa, Alston Moras and Relitsa Correa. The 2010 - 2011 executive Committee team members, Monica Dantis, Cyprian Misquith, Lancy Thomas Lobo, Nancy Vaz, Simon D’Souza, Jacintha Serrao, Alexander Sequeira, Deepak Ranjan D’Souza, Reena Lobo and Celine D’Souza also joined in this dance giving a perfect beginning to the programme.

Lavina D'Sa and Clarence Pinto were the anchors of the programme.

After Monica Dantis offered a warm and hearty welcome to the audience, an honouring ceremony was held. Fr Albert D'Silva and Glen Gonsalves, vice-president of the pastoral council, Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively and they were presented with bouquets by Monica Dantis, Cyprian Misquith and Lancy Lobo. The sponsors of the annual day were honoured with bouquets. The major and main sponsors of the year were presented with mementos.

President Monica Dantis in her presidential address expressed extreme joy of leading the community as the first lady president of MCCP. She highlighted some of the unique programmes presented by her committee, specially Father’s Day which was well appreciated by fathers of the community. She also thanked her committee members who worked selflessly to present some of the finest programmes for the members.

Monica Dantis and Sylvester Sequeira’s birthdays were celebrated by cutting a cake. Monica’s husband Valerian Dantis, children Meval and Dale also joined the celebrations.

In his speech, Fr Albert expressed his gratitude to all the Mangaloreans of the parish for their support to the various needs. He specially thanked Monica Dantis, the first lady president of MCCP and hard work rendered by her versatile team. He also focussed his thoughts on 20th anniversary of MCCP.

A dazzling dance choreographed by Deepak D'Souza was presented by Deepak, Sylvester Vaz, Reuben, Larrissa Rego, Chelsea Misquith and Josma Rodrigues.

The annual report for the year 2010–2011 was presented by Nancy Vaz, general secretary of MCCP.

Noted Konkani writer Wilfred R Pangala’s new book ‘Hasyangann’ published by Jane Prakashan, Mangalore was released by Joachim Rebello and Monica Dantis.

A rib-tickling skit "Foreign Maal" was presented by Lancy Lobo, Peter Fernandes, Flavia D'Souza and Roshan Lobo, unfolding waves of laughter and humour.

With grace before meal offered by Shanti D'Souza, invitation for the lunch was presented by Monica Dantis with a tumbler of water.

After the lunch, the programme commenced with the honouring of choir members of the community, volunteers and musicians. Special honour was presented to Oswald D'Souza, known as Konkani music world’s crown prince for his service to music and specially to the Mangalorean community of the parish. He was presented with memento.

A song, 'Anna Hazare', composed by Apolinaris D'Souza was presented by the well-known singers of the community. After the vote of thanks by Deepak D'Souza, cultural secretary of MCCP, another humorous skit-cum-dance was presented by the executive team of 2010 – 2011.

The new executive committee was formed under the leadership of Henry Martis as the main returning officer with support from Donald Pinto and Suraj Rebello. Handing over of the charge was performed. The new executive committee was congratulated by the outgoing president, Monica Dantis and the new president promised to continue the legacy of MCCP to the best of his capacity and ability.

The main sponsors of the annual day were Al Turki Enterprises, National Stone Co LLC, Enhance and Manazil Co LLC. The sponsors were Nelson D Silva, Iranian Insurance Company, Melwin Pereira, Al Sarooj Construction Co and Arabian Technical Services. The supporters were Henry Martis, Kenneth D'Souza and Walter Pinto.