UAE: JAKC - New Name in Gulf Catholic Organisations

by Shalmi Monteiro (With input from JAKC) for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

May 1: Jebel Ali is the latest additions to the churches in the Middle East. Realizing the number of Christian residents in this area, more and more housing and villa complexes started growing in this region and churches in Dubai have been little far for those residents. A church dedicated to the patronage of St Francis of Assisi was inaugurated in the year November 2001.

Konkani community, one of the most active communities around the gulf, initiated an association to the benefit of Konkani-speaking community within the Jebel Ali Church reach and in 2004 JAKC (Jebel Ali Assisi Konkani Community) emerged with the support of parish priest and community leaders.

Today, the association is growing day-by-day with more members joining and taking active part in the social and charity activities within and outside the church.

John Monteiro

John Monteiro, more known in the Karnataka Sangha circle has been one of the pillars to start an own association for Konkani-speaking people around. He has been elected as the president of this association.

JAKC committee members are as follows:
Fr. Eugene Mattioli   - Parish Priest, Assisi Parish - Patron of JAKC
Fr. Freddy P D'Souza - Spiritual Director
John M Monteiro      - President
Roshan Chacko       - Treasurer
Core Committee       - Leena Pereira, Ivan Fernandes, Stephen Pinto, Clarence Pinto,
                                     Rolphie Sequeira, Raphael D'Souza and Mark Rego.
          
Speaking to Daijiworld, John Monteiro said, "Our Mission is to take part in the growth of the parish and promote Konkani-speaking community in the Jebel Ali Parish through a mass in Konkani and prayer meetings once a month and to celebrate festivals such as Nativity, Parish Feast etc."

He further said that the vision of JAKC is to  continue the good work done by JAKC, to help the needy of the parish and meet their requirements from time-to-time and to estatablish a welfare committee to cater the needy in our parish and eventually back home.

Dabazo - First-ever mega event - Free Entry

Francis Fernandes Cascia

To promote local talents and Konkani culture as well as traditions, JAKC has planned an annual mega event on May 10, 2007 at Assisi Hall, Jebel Ali. The cream of the event will be skits by Comedy King Francis Fernandes Cassia and his troupe as well as melodious musical evening by Vincent Fernandes of 'Moganchi Laram' fame.

Vincent Fernandes

Uttam Menezes, a compere with difference will take charge of the event.

For more details call: 050 - 5940340 / 050 - 6577280