Media Release
Photos : Joachim D'Souza
Muscat, Sep 2: Mangalorean Catholic Centre for Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman) ushered in its 24th year of existence in great style and pomp setting the tone for the rest of the year. The 24th year Inaugural day was also the occasion for installing of the new executive committee for the year 2015-16.
The function turned out to be a truly remarkable one, with the new executive committee announcing that the next big event would be a 'Mega Quiz Show' on October 9 to be held on a grand scale, such as never seen before, raising high the expectations of the Mangalorean Catholic community in Oman.
The day's events started with the Eucharistic celebration in Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ruwi. The high mass in Konkani was celebrated by Fr Wilson Rumao, assistant parish priest and the spiritual director of the Konkani Community, and Fr Marian Miranda, guest priest from Mangaluru, in a befitting manner. The melodious choir led by well-known choir master Apolinaris D'Souza and team consisting of Reena D'Souza, Freeda Suares, Wilma Peris, Flavia Castelino, Flavia D'Souza, Florine D'Souza, Philomena Saldanha, Precilla Menezes, Jessy Castelino, Valerian Peris, Dilip Correa, Loveline Rego, Peter D'Souza, Lanston Pinto, Stany Suares, Stany Menezes and Anitha Lobo made the celebration even more meaningful and beautiful.
The cultural programme started at the Church hall immediately after breakfast and took the audience of more than 600 people to a new high. The impressive turnout also indicated the efforts of the new executive committee to reach out to existing members and rope in many newcomers.
The programme started with the traditional rendition of Parameshwara – the welcome song by Apolanaris and group (Reena D'Souza, Flavia D'Souza, Freeda Suares, Flavia Castelino, Florine D'Souza, Philomena Saldanha, Jessy Castelino, Prescilla Menezes, Dilip Correa, Valerian Peris, Peter D'Souza, Stany Menezes and Dale Dantis, supported with the music). The guest priest Fr Marian Miranda offered a prayer for the continuing growth of MCCP under the new leadership and in particular for the success of the day's event. Lancy Lobo, Alwyn Pinto, Clifford Castelino, Deepak D'Souza, Shaila Machado, Rakesh Coelho, Sunil D'Souza and Walter Mendonca enacted a very moving spiritual tableau which showed how merciful was our Lord during the days that He spent on this Earth.
Clarence Pinto, who is well known for his chaste Konkani, then took centre stage as the Master of Ceremony. He called John F Gonsalves, the new president of MCCP for the year 2015-16 on stage highlighting his impressive background and various achievements. The guest of honour of the function, Francis D'Souza, finance director of Renna Mobile was also welcomed on the stage along with Fr Wilson Rumao and Fr Marian Miranda. Then each member of the new committee were individually introduced and called on the stage amidst thunderous applauses from the crowd.
Executive committee members for the year 2015 – 2016 are:
John F Gonsalves : President
Ophelia Lazarus : Vice-president – Finance and sports
John Mathias : Vice-president – Cultural, spiritual and community services
Priya Menezes : General secretary
Sunil Furtado : Honorary treasurer
Sudhir K P : Internal auditor
Anitha Lobo : Cultural secretary
Joyson Rodrigues : Sports secretary
Lancy Saldanha : Community services secretary
Anitha S Danthi : Spiritual secretary
John Gonsalves in his presidential address emphasised that the new committee under his leadership will try to bring in improvements and changes, while maintaining the traditional strengths of the MCCP. The symbolic lighting of lamp was followed by unveiling of the logo and theme for the year. The beautiful logo was designed by Nancy Vaz. The theme 'Malgadyank Maan, Kuttmaanth samadhan' (honour elders and build up a harmonious family) evoked a very strong feeling among those present, and Fr Wilson Rumao, spiritual advisor to the MCCP, appealed to all to do more for their elders, especially parents, who are left all alone back home. The theme touched the hearts of all present with a soulful rendering of the song 'Avoi bapaychya thya tyagacho' by Reena D'Souza, who was the winner of Gulf Voice of Mangalore for the year 2012, and a poignant enactment of the distressing present situation of our elders by Peter Fernandes, Praveen Serra, Helen Sequeira, Peter Fernandes, Meera Saldanha, Lizy Barboza and Glory Barboza. This play with a social awakening message was written and directed by Peter Fernandes.
The flavour of patriotism was added to the function by children performing a patriotic song and dance in front of Bharat Mata (Mother India) holding a tri-colour. Pramila Pais choreographed this performance with children (Anisha D'Costa, Grace Menezes, Harleen Pinto, Lanette Rego, Melanie D'cruz, Nihal Noronha, Nikhil Noronha, Reia Correa, Rochelle Correa, Rochelle Quadros, Vinisha Mathias) and adults (Cyril Danthi and Sunita Furtado). The D' dynamites (Andril Lobo, Calida Machado, Christine Danthi, Clarita Saldanha, Clive Danthi, Gail Castelino, Glen Menezes, Lael Alva, Larissa Saldanha, Leanne Alva, Lionel Vaz, Lovette Rego, Malcom D'Souza, Melrick D'Souza, Natasha Noronha, Neil Castelino, Renessa Walder, Rochelle Quadros, Shane Menezes and Stacy Vaz) under the tutelage of Dynet Fernandes and Jayal Tharakan performed an impressive dance. They were followed by the evergreen singer of Muscat Apolinaris D'Souza teaming up with another shining star of Muscat, Nirmala Goveas to present 'Goinkaar Mogor ani Phulwali' - a song based performance with a midas touch.
The stage was then taken over by Galateen Rockstars (Priyanka Mendonca, Elrica Frank, Liza D'Sa, Rebecca D'Souza, Jenilda Mathias and Roshal Lobo), who gave an electrifying performance of Bollywood style dancing. The performance was choreographed by a young talent, Priyanka Mendonca. They were followed by another display of superb dancing skills by The Murgi Squad (Brian Monis, Jason Cardoza, Megan D'Souza, Michelle Quadros, Ralitsa Correa, Shaina D'Souza and Shannon D'Souza), which was choreographed by Brian Monis and Melanie Crasta and coordinated by Sonia D'Souza.
MCCP took this occasion to award Certificate of Excellence to the students of the community who performed exceptionally well in Xth and XIIth standard examinations. The recipients of the award for XIIth standard were Amanda Jane Fernandes, Anthea Abreo, Chrisma Clare D'Souza, Edel Andrea D'Souza, Sellwyn D'Souza, Leslie Monis, Zahrin Judith D'Silva and Johnson John Fernandes.
Similarly, for the Xth standard the award went to Shane Roger Pinto, Bertyl Noronha, Jyotsna Andrea D'Souza, Joel Prem Lobo, Errol Winston Mascarenhas, Naomi priestina D'mello and Jeston Neil Gonsalves. The guest of honor, Francis D'Souza, Finance Director of Renna Mobile and Eula Pinto, ex-vice president of MCCP, presented the certificates of excellence, a commemorative plaques, cash prizes and gifts (gifts sponsored by M/s Muscat Pharmacy) to these meritorious students. The ceremony was conducted by Ophelia Lazarus, vice-president - finance and sports.
Ex-president Precilla Menezes read out various charitable works carried out by MCCP in the previous year. This was followed by felicitations of all sponsors for the current year as well as the Inaugural event by John Mathias, vice-president - cultural, spiritual and community services.
A comedy skit was presented by the famous trio of Muscat, Lancy Lobo, Walter Mendonca and Deepak D'Souza, which had the audience in splits. The last performance before lunch was a scintillating classical dance performance by young children (Riya Olivera, Melina Goveas, Lizy Barboza, Chelsia D'Sa, Mureal D'Souza, Rebecca Pinto and Sharon D'costa) under Glenda Castelino's training and Nirmala Goveas' coordination.
Anitha Danthi, the spiritual secretary invoked God's grace as sumptuous lunch was served. Allwyn Saldanha and his team ensured that the meal is replete with finger licking exquisite Mangalurean delicacies. The programme resumed with Dance Dhamaka wherein adults (Flavia Castelino, Wilfred Castelino, Elizabeth Noronha, Stany Menezes, Dynet Fernandes, Neston Moras, Jayal Tharakan and Lynel Lobo) danced to the tune of Choreographers Dynet Fernandes, Jayal Tharakan and Irfan.
After that came the most important announcement of the day. Sunil Furtado, the Honorary Treasurer unravelled that the next big event will be 'Mega Quiz Show' on October 9, 2015 to be held on a massive scale and conducted with utmost professionalism. He urged all to form teams of three members each and participate in large numbers in this once in a life time opportunity. The announcement was received with a wide spread appreciation and eagerness by the audience.
High quality entertainment continued to flow unceasingly with the singing sensation of Oman, Sachin Joy (2nd runner-up in GVOM 2015) giving one of his best performances and bringing the crowd on their feet. A masala filled comedy skit put up by Rolson, Jason and Prenita, gave the crowd more than their share of spice. Next, the melodious singing by the new rising star of Muscat, Joel Mendonca warmed the hearts of all the people present. As a finale of an exceptional entertaining day, the audience was treated with another play by Peter Fernandes and Praveen Serra called 'Charbela Matharo' displaying their exceptional comical talent.
Anitha Lobo, cultural secretary gave a vote of thanks, recalling all those who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success. The last but not the least was the bonanza draw wherein winners walked away with high value prizes such as LED TV, air tickets etc. The major sponsors for the prizes being Philomena and Edward Mendonca and M/s Majan Travels. The entire event was covered by a Powerpoint presentation compiled by Joylin Gonsalves and Shannon D'Souza. Zezito provided the sound system and music. A large number of dedicated volunteers including Lancy Lobo and his team worked tirelessly in the background to make the event a success.
Overall, it was a memorable day for the Mangalurean Catholic community in Muscat, who witnessed a well coordinated event with high entertainment value purely drawn from the talent of the existing members and would be looking forward to more such events during the year.
The sponsors for the year are:
Gold sponsors: Renna Mobile and Omantel
Silver sponsors: Hyssna International LLC, National Finance Company SAOG, Technofit Group and Hydrotec International LLC
Bronze sponsors: Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading, Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co. LLC, Sky United Logistics, Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC and Muscat Golden Services.
The sponsors for the event were Multitech Contracting, Suleyum Al Kiyumi Trading LLC, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Al Jassar LLC, A-1 Fencing (Dubai), Peace Land Medical Services, Nasser Habib, Al Renina, Ehance LLC, Assarain Foods, Areej Vegetable Oil and Derivatives and NTI.
The sponsors for dance/songs were Valerian Peris, Jenny Joseph, Simon Lobo, Henry Pinto, Jessie and Vivian Pereira, Cyril and Anitha Danthi and Joice Gonsalves.