Report by Clarence Pinto
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Sep 2 : The Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi) celebrated their 20th Annual Day on Friday, 31st August 2012 at Sts Peter and Paul Church and Main Hall under the leadership of Stanley T. H. Fernandes.
The thanks-giving holy mass in Konkani by Fr. (Dr) Charles Saldanha, visiting Capuchin priest from India commenced at 10.30 am in the Ruwi Church. The mass was concelebrated by Fr Raul Ramos - parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church - Ruwi, Fr. Wilson Rumao - Assistant Parish Priest of Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi and the spiritual director of the Konkani community of Ruwi Parish and Fr. Albert D Silva – Parish Priest of the Holy Spirit Church – Ghala and the spiritual director of the Konkani speaking community of the Ghala Parish. The Konkani Choir supported the holy mass with the great music and spirit-filled hymns.
The members of the choir were Apolinaris D Souza, Ivan Moras, Anitha Lobo, Dolphy Vaz, Flavia Castelino, Freeda Soares, Ida Pinto, Jessy Castelino, Lancy Sequeira, Loveline T. Rego, Mathew Walder, Philomena Saldanha, Prescilla Menezes, Reena D Souza, Stanislaus D Souza, Valerian Peres and Victoria Soares. The music for the choir was provided by Larissa Rego on Keyboard, Alistair Aranha and Larissa Fernandes on Violin. The readings of the High Mass were presented by Stanley T H Fernandes, Mariete Fernandes, Eula Pinto, Ivan Moras and Prem Colaco.
Immediately after the holy mass, the annual day cultural program was organized in the main hall of Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi. Fr. Wilson Rumao, Fr. Albert D Silva and Fr Charles Saldanha were the guests of honor with Clarence Pinto anchoring the show. Ronald Colaco, eminent businessman and philanthropist of the Konkan region had been invited as the Chief Guest of the function; however due to the unavoidable circumstances, he was unable to attend.
After the prayer of seeking heavenly father’s choicest blessings on the program and the members of the community by Fr. Albert D Silva, a welcome song titled MCCP – Kaal, Aaz anim Sodam (MCCP – yesterday, today and forever), specially composed for the twentieth year of MCCP by Clarence Pinto and music composed by Apolinaris D Souza was sung by Apolinaris D Souza, Ivan Moras, Anitha Lobo, Dolphy Vaz, Flavia Castelino, Freeda Soares, Ida Pinto, Jessy Castelino, Lancy Sequeira, Loveline T. Rego, Mathew Walder, Philomena Saldanha, Prescilla Menezes, Reena D Souza, Stanislaus D Souza, Valerian Peres and Victoria Soares.
The charismatic leader of the community and the current president of MCCP Stanley T. H. Fernandes in his welcome speech expressed his gratitude to the supporters, benefactors and members along with his current Executive Committee for the year 2011 – 2012. He specially thanked Ronald Colaco – an NRI Entrepreneur and an ardent supporter of the Konkani language, culture and people and Mr. (Dr.) Padmashri B. R. Shetty, a renowned business personality of the Konkan region for their constant support to the community and MCCP.
A fascinating dance Manglur Amchem (Our Mangalore) was staged by tiny tots of the community – Aldreen Moras, Andril Lobo, Glen Menezes, Lovette Rego, Pearl, Rochelle Quadros, Shane Menezes and Veona Mathias. This dance was choreographed by Sachin Lobo and coordinated by Lenita Lobo.
The year 2011 – 2012 was very important year in the calendar of MCCP and there were many supporters sponsored the annual events and programs. The Guests of Honor felicitated the sponsors of the year.
The Benefactor of the year was Ronald Colaco. The mega sponsor was Bank Muscat SAOG, Oman’s top banking service provider and it was represented by G. V. Ramakrishna – Head National Sales and Expat services. The main sponsors of the year were Omantel SAOG (Represented by Eula Pinto), Dilip Mehta – Deputy Managing Director, Muscat Pharmacy LLC, Leo Quadros - Aadhia Trading & Cont. Co. LLC - Oman & Canterbury Castles – Bangalore, Oman & UAE Exchange Centre & Co. (Tony Alexander – CEO and the chairman of board of Directors – Indian School Muscat), Ligory D Mello - Technofit Trading LLC, Clifford Sanctis - HydroTech LLC, Raphael D Souza - Muscat Golden Services LLC, Michael Pinto - Ideal Tailors, Denis Mascarenhas - Prestige Projects & Engg. Supplies Co. LLC
MCCP also acknowledged the members who had supported through-out the year and felicitated them with mementos. The felicitated members were Daniel Fernandes, Denis Alva, Monica Dantis, Jenny Joseph, Henry Rodrigues, Simon D’Souza, Melwin Pereira, Lawrence Fernandes & Julio Fernandes.
Dr. Manohar Pereira, a medical professional who had supported the community events and parish for many years, was honored by MCCP with memento.
A special Souvenir titled “Dirvem” (The Treasure) was formulated to mark and remember the twenty years of MCCP in Oman by the Souvenir committee headed by Suraj Rebello and ably supported Presilla Menezes and Mariete Fernandes. It was released by the Guests of Honor.
After the presentation of the annual report for the year 2011 – 2012 by Prescilla Menezes – General Secretary of MCCP, Lawrence Alva carried out the prize distribution ceremony of the Christmas Crib Competition. The winners of the Crib Competition are First prize – Sevelus D Souza; Second Prize – Aslita Thomas D Souza and Third prize – Walter D Souza.
The outgoing executive committee was felicitated by Fr. Albert D Silva. The members of the Executive Committee 2011 – 2012 were
President
Stanley T H Fernandes
Vice President - Eulalia Pinto
Sports and Finance -Lawrence Alva
Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services
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 Ophilia Lazarus
Kalza Gaaz – an enthralling dance was then presented by Caroline D’Souza, Ericsson Gonsalves, Hanson D Souza, Jyotsna Tharakan, Melanie Crasta, Priyanka Mendonca, Sachin Lobo and Saurav Rebello which was choreographed by Sachin Lobo
Dhamal Clinic and Dukracho Vyapaar – two rib tickling comedies were presented by Alwyn Pinto – Kokkada, Anita – Kelarai, Deepak D Souza – Bendoor, Helen Sequeira – Madyanthar, Jacintha Mendonca – Puttur, Lancy Lobo – Kelarai, Melwyn – Kelarai, Sunil –Katipalla, Vikas – Honnavar, Walter Mendonca – Puttur and Walter Pinto - Karkal
The new executive committee for the year 2012 – 2013 was formed under the supervision of Fr. Albert D Silva, Henry Martis and Suraj Rebello and the members are as follows :
President Lawrence Alva
Vice President Clita Veena Crasta
Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services
Vice President Sports and Finance Ajith Walder
General Secretary Sonia Martis
Honorary Treasurer Dolphy Frank
Internal Auditor Philip John D Souza
Sports Secretary Loveline T. Rego
Cultural Secretary Astrin V. A. D Silva
Spiritual Secretary Fredrick A. Castelino
Community Services Secretary Valentina Rodrigues
The brief handing over ceremony was held and Fr. Albert D Silva in his address, thanked the outgoing committee for their relentless hard work and wished the new committee a good and fruitful year ahead.
Ophelia Lazarus – Community Services Secretary proposed vote of thanks and then, the out-going Executive Committee presented the Farewell Song composed by Apolinaris D Souza.
A sumptuous traditional lunch, prepared by Alwyn Saldanha of Al Arsalan Restaurant, was served.
The members of the community had a great year of celebrations and entertainment under the leadership of the vibrant Executive Committee. Truly the annual day function was an appropriate finale of giving a perfect touch of the planning and entertainment.