Media Release

Washington, Dec 9: Mangalorean Catholic Association (MCA) held a grand event of 30th anniversary that was combined with Christmas celebration on December 7 at Tandoori Nights of Fairfax, VA. The MC duo, Clint Almeida and Merlyn Mathias complemented each other very well and entertained the audience by their wits and humour while doing the time management of the programme pretty well.

The appetizers and the drinks were done well to feed the appetite of people before the main programme started. The script for the Musical Nativity Play from community children was excellently done under the leadership of Juliet Vas with help from other committee members. All the participant children and the background choir team led by Clint Almeida did an outstanding job.

V James Dante extended a warm welcome to everyone on behalf of his committee. He also welcomes all the past presidents of the association who were brought together for the first time at this event in the history of the association, followed by the dignitary Dr Austin D’Souza who flew from Chicago to attend the event as well as the delegates, the presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association, representing their communities.

This was followed by felicitation led by our felicitation team, Savio Fernandes and Renita Fernandes, who carried out the felicitation of all the presidents of the association, followed by Dr Austin D’Souza and the presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association. The presidents of the association were felicitated with bouquets and plaques by current and past committee members and their spouses. Dr Austin Dsouza was felicitated by the executive committee members with bouquet, plaque and a shawl. Then the presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association were felicitated by past committee members with bouquets and Certificates of Appreciation.

Then as the families and children were eagerly waiting, Santa arrived promptly with his carriage full of gifts to the background music, cheered by all young and the old. He distributed individual wrapped gifts brought by parents for their children and took pictures with the children. Immediately following Santa’s exit, it was time for singing the Christmas Carols with everyone’s participation, the choir team leading.

Dr Ajit Britto of Britto Orthodontics who donated towards the event and Lovee and Jerome Faison for sponsoring the Alexas for the raffle, all my committee members and their families, and past president Jacinta Mascarenhas for performing the grace before meals, were thanked. While some people headed out to enjoy the lavishly laid out buffet dinner by the banquet hall, other dance enthusiasts preferred to rock the floor with great music number from DJ couple John Lee and Carol Figueira.

The raffles were drawn during dinner and dance show and picture of all the presidents of the association was taken as a memory of this unique event.

Later the dancing continued while several spot prizes were declared by the MCs.

The following is the list of the key people who were responsible for the various tasks for successfully executing the event to make it a grand success, with support from other committee members:

Nativity Play: Juliet Vas (Lead), Merlyn Mathias, Clint Almeida.
Christmas Carols: Clint Almeida
Design of Banners, Mementos and Felicitation Plaques: Reynel Castellino, V James Dante
Memento Ordering/Packing: V James Dante, Merlyn Mathias, Wilma Tauro, Julia Dante
Event Venue Booking: Julia Dante, Savio Fernandes, Renita Fernandes, V James Dante
Event Hall and Stage Decorations: Yolanda’s Decorations, Julia Dante
Registration and Memento Distribution: Renita Fernandes, Wilma Andrade
Masters of Ceremony: Clint Almeida, Merlyn Mathias
Felicitation Leads: Savio Fernandes & Renita Fernandes
Program Booklet: Wilma Tauro
DJs: John Lee & Carol Figueira
Overall Coordination: V James Dante V James