Canada: A Dinner for a Cause with Fr Patirck Rodrigues

Media Release

Toronto, Jul 14: A Dinner for a Social Cause was organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Community in Toronto to mark the visit of Fr Patrick Rodrigues, director Fr Muller Charitable Institutions Mangalore, here on Sunday July 11.

The programme was held at the Pavilion Royale, Mississauga, in which well-wishers and friends of Father Muller Charitable Foundation participated. The audience comprised people belonging to different nationalities, all meeting for a common charitable cause. The curtain for the event was raised at 6.00 pm with a pianist at the patio with fellowship cocktails. The delicious dinner which followed, witnessed a hilarious ‘Murder Mystery’, titled  ‘Lethal Luau’, set on a Hawaiian beach, performed by the Brampton Music Theatre Group comprising of seven artistes.

The compere, Neville Dsouza, then introduced the Chinguacosy Swing Orchestra, which soothed the minds of the people with music through the ages. ‘In the Mood’ by Glen Miller, ‘Pink Panther Trail’ of Peter Sellers fame, were among the noteworthy pieces, besides other Broadway hits.

Once the physical and intellectual faculties were soothed, it was the turn of Fr Patrick Rodrigues to address the gathering. The gathering was led down the memory lane, right from the times of Fr Augustus Muller (1880). While covering the centenary celebration of the institution, when Blessed Mother Theresa had visited the institution, the audience responded with a thunderous applause. The establishment and functioning of Father Muller Charitable Foundation of US since 2008 were also highlighted.

Finally, Fr Patrick Rodrigues thanked all those present for partnering this venture. A word of grateful appreciation was said to the Organising Committee, Max D’Mello, Suman D’Souza, Rita and Rudy Mathias, Capt Claver Pereira, with a special mention of Arunlal and Asha Menezes.

Lot of table prizes as well as grand prizes to the ‘Shaw Festival’ and the ‘Stratford Shakespeare Theatre’ were dished out in a span of four hours. There were seven from the audience who solved the ‘Murder Mystery’ plot and the draw that followed, gave the winner, D’Cunha, tickets to the Rose Theatre.

The noble gesture of Brampton Music Theatre group and Chinguacousy Swing Orchestra performing on an honorary basis for a charitable cause was appreciated by one and all.

Fr Edwin D’Souza, parish priest of St Martha and Mary, and Capt John Prasad Menezes, governing board member of FMCI Mangalore, were also present.

The proceeds from the Dinner and Social will go to the cancer patient care at Father Muller Hospital, and the proceeds were handed over to Fr Patrick Rodrigues on the occasion.