News: Clarence D'Cruz
Pics: Roschelle D'Souza

Houston, Apr 22: Houston Konkan Catholic Association (HKCA) held its Easter event celebration on April 15 at the Irene Stern Community Center in Fulshear, Texas.

The event was compered by Merryl Fernandes. The event started off with a welcome speech by Nitin Suares, wherein he welcomed everyone present and introduced new members of HKCA. New members also introduced themselves and their families.

Guests were invited to enjoy delicious appetizers of chili chicken, gobi manchurian, spicy chicken pakora, and cool lemonade, which gave a great start to the day.

The first item of the day was the Easter Egg hunt organized by Sheryl Machado. Clarence D'Cruz and Nisha D'Souza led the excited children outdoors on the Egg Hunt, which kept them happily engaged as they ran around looking for the colorful Easter eggs filled with candies. There were prizes given to kids who managed to get the special golden and silver eggs on the field.

Next was the special magic show performed by renowned magician Robert Berry. Robert had kids and adults alike engaged with amazement and giggling with laughter as he went about performing his tricks.

The kids especially had a ball, with a front-row seat to the show, and were called on stage numerous times to get involved in magic tricks. In the end, Robert left everyone with a message to keep loved ones and the community close, as this is what really matters.

Next, there was a session of dance with the crowd grooving to popular numbers belted out by DJ Aaron Mathias. Spot prize games were conducted, and prizes were given to lucky winners.

After that, it was time for lunch. Vice president Daniel Sequeira led the gathering in saying grace before meals and asked for the Lord’s Blessings on everyone. The sumptuous lunch consisting of goat kadai, Andhra chicken curry, paneer butter masala, bhindi masala, pasta, pulao, naan, gajar halwa, ice cream etc, was enjoyed by each and everyone present. A special cake made and sponsored by Sandra D'Souza – Sherosh Delights LLC, Katy was also enjoyed by those gathered.

Post lunch, a raffle draw was conducted for early bird ticket purchasers, and prizes were given. More spot prizes were also given to the winners.

Then it was time for games conducted by Merryl Fernandes and Ketan Pattani. The crowd was divided into groups, and various games were conducted, which got everyone competing with fervor and having fun. Prizes were given to the teams that managed to win.

Ronnie Crasta then gave the vote of thanks wherein he thanked the people who put their efforts into making the event possible and stressed members to come forward in volunteering for subsequent events and take up leadership roles.

Tea prepared by Nisha DSouza was then served as the evening kicked in. Jerry Lobo then led the gathering in singing traditional 'Laudate Dominum'. After that, the crowd enthusiastically posed for group pictures, bringing the event to a close.

Each family was gifted a special Lindt chocolate gift box as they exited the venue.

Konkani Catholics interested in joining Houston Konkan Catholic Association may contact at https://www.hkcaus.org/houston-konkan-catholic-contact-us/

More pictures from the Easter celebration event can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1efCIuOsDtVlaifDcPXbB2i9LwZ-ykU2J