Muscat: MCCP Holds Grand Inaugural Day - 2010

News: Clarence Pinto
Pics: Arun Jivraj Lobo
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, Aug 14: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish ( MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church) under the leadership of its very first lady president Monica Dantis commenced yet another glorious year of celebrations and events in their history with a wonderful and fun filled Inaugural Day function in the main hall of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi here on Friday August 13 .

The day long programme was filled with ample number of enthralling dances, rib-tickling skits and beautiful  ongs. One of the senior member of the community mentioned to us “To retain the vibrancy of any community, it is very important to have more energetic leaders and committed team and today, the Mangalorean community in Oman is successfully identified a new leader in Monica Dantis and a energetic team of the new executive team. It is really a good sign of the Mangalorean community’s unity prevailing in the sultanate.”

The colour theme of the day was Yellow and Blue and the hall was beautifully decorated highlighting the theme by well known artist and master decorator, John D'Souza. The day began with High Mass in Konkani by the first and only Mangalorean parish priest of the Sultanate of Oman, Fr Albert D'Silva, one of the spiritual directors of MCCP.

The Konkani Choir under the leadership of Apolinaris D Souza presented spirit filled hymns. The choir members are well known Konkani singers in Oman and they were Victoria Soares, Dolphy Vaz, Ivan Moras, Anitha Lobo, Nirmala Goveas, Jacintha Serrao, Flavia Castelino, Flavia D'Souza, Reena Lobo, Ronald Lobo, Shalet Menezes, Peter D'souza, Alwyn Baptist and Alwyn Menezes. The welcome address,
various readings and prayers were presented by Monica Dantis, Jacintha Serrao, Reena Lobo, Deepak D Souza, Simon D Souza and Alexander Sequeira.

Kitli Dadoskai hi Kitli Dadoskai …. Konkani ami uloitavum hi amchi dadoskai (Great Joy for us …. Because we speak our mother tongue, Konkani), a legendary MCCP anthem composed by “Konkani Sangeethacho Rai Kunvar” (Muscat Konkani Music world’s Prince) Oswald D’ Souza almost 18 years ago titled “Parameshwara” echoed into the hall to give a enchanting beginning to the programme. The charming song was presented to the audience by the Konkani Choir members.

Anchor of the day was Dilip Correa, a well known Konkani activist, writer and devoted Toastmaster. The Region of Mangalore, the eastern Rome of the world, was beautifully narrated in his introduction and then, he extended a warm welcome to the audience. Fr Albert D Silva offered prayer seeking heavenly blessings on the program and everyone presented. Fr Mathew, assistant parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church was also present.

“Vechik Puth” ( The Prodigal Son ) – a biblical story with a modern background was then presented to give a spiritual touch to the programme. This skit was enacted by Victor Pais, Lancy Lobo, Peter Fernandes, Alwyn Pinto, Melwyn D'souza and Alwyn D'souza, the members of the Konkan Kalakar, Muscat.

Monica Dantis, hailing from Kinnigoli parish in India, wife of Valerian Dantis, mother of Meval and Dale and served as vice-president – Cultural, Spiritual and Community Services Committees in the year 2009 - 2010, is the very first lady president of MCCP. Dilip Correa introduced Monica Dantis to the audience and presented her profile.

Introduction and honoring the new Executive Committee for the year 2010 – 2011 was then conducted by Monica Dantis with the presentation of each EC members’ profile. The following are the members of the new executive committee for the year 2010 – 2011, apart from Monica Dantis, President, Cyprian Misquith, vice-president for Sports and Finance Committees, Lancy Thomas Lobo, VP for Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services Committees, Nancy Vaz, general secretary, Simon D’Souza, honorary treasurer,  Jacintha Serrao, internal auditor, Alexander Sequeira, sports secretary, Deepak Ranjan D’Souza, cultural secretary, Reena Lobo, spiritual secretary and Celine D’Souza, Community Services secretary.

After the introduction of the EC team, in her presidential address president Monica Dantis thanked heavenly father for the opportunity given to her serve the community. She also promised to present some unique program to the members in this forthcoming year. She expressed her gratitude to the people who are supporting her to fulfill her dream. Lighting of the lamp ceremony was then performed by Fr Albert D'Silva, Fr Mathew and all the EC members.

August 12, Fr Albert’s birthday on is always a joyful event to the Konkani community in Muscat and this time it was celebrated with the cutting of the birthday cake by Fr Albert along with all the EC members. Fr. Albert in his speech thanked the community for sharing his joy and happiness of birthday and making arrangements for the celebrations. He expressed his joy of seeing the very first lady president in MCCP and wished the new committee the very best in the forthcoming year.

A dance titled – “ Vande Mataram ”, to mark the independence day of India and choreographed by Deepak D'Souza was performed by Reena Mathias, Chelsea Misquith, Brian Monis, Hanson D'Souza, Jayal Tharrakan, Rachel Fernandes, Giselle Fernandes, Amanda Pinto and Vrinali Sonalika Nazreth.

While Cyprian Misquith carried out the ceremony of honoring the main sponsors, Alexander Sequeira did role of carrying out the honoring of Eucharisticm Ministers.

The following Eucharistic ministers were honoured. Arun Furtado, Clifford Castelino, Francis Tauro, Fredrick Castelino, Gregory Lobo, Helen Lobo, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Lobo, Mariete Fernandes, Richard Mascarenhas, Valerian G Peris, Gladwin d’silva (from Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) and Rosanna Mendonca, Lina Fernandes, Allan D’souza and Allan and Allan Mathias (From Holy Spirit Church, Ghala)

MCCP always received a constant and continuous support from its core committee members and they are Henry Martis, Stanley T H Fernandes, Donald Pinto,Clarence Pinto and Suraj Rebello. All these core team members were traditionally honored with a shawl, flower bouquet and basket fruits by Fr Albert D'Silva, Cyprian Misquith and Lancy Lobo.

Father : Friend First, Guide Forever is the annual theme of MCCP. A song composed by Apolinaris DSouza titled Salam Martham was sung by Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Anitha Lobo, Reena Lobo, Flavia Castelino and Flavia D'souza.

A ceremony of honoring the meritorious students of standard X and XII of the year 2009 - 2010 was done by Nany Vaz, General Secretary of MCCP. The top scorer of Grade XII was Josma Henna Rodrigues, student of Indian School Muscat, daughter of Joseph and Helen Rodrigues with average of 94.2%. The two top scorers of Grade X with the Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.8, one was Amanda Lavita Lobo, student of Indian School Wadi Kabir, daughter of Lawrence and Judith Lobo and Rovina Nithina D’Souza, student of Indian School Al Ghubra, daughter of Arun and Irene D’Souza.
 
Students who achieved more 85% in Std. XII were  Roland Ashley Fernandes, student of Indian School Muscat with average 93.8%. Darryl Kevin Tauro, student of Indian School Muscat with average 91.4%. Clinton Joel Noronha with average 89.6 %, while Students achieved distinction in Grade X were Sharal Joyline Menezes, student of Indian School Al Ghubra with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.6. Jonah David D’Souza, student of Indian School Wadi Kabir with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.4. Rhea Clarrisa Fernandes, student of Indian School Wadi Kabir with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.4.  Josyl Lobo, student of Indian School Wadi Kabir with the Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.2.  Manish Louis Fernandes, student of Indian School Muscat with the Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.2. Alistair Furtado with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 9.2. Ashwini Aranha with Cumulative Grade Point Average 9.2

Deepak D Souza choreographed one more dance titled Pavs (Rain) and it was performed by Brian Monis, Hanson D'souza, Ravin Rodrigues, Jui Mendonca, Tania Pinto and Amanda Pinto – youth of the community.

Wilfred R Pangla – well known Konkani writer and poet had composed a song reflecting the sad feelings on the recent aircraft tragedy in Mangalore. This brand new song was sung by Steffi Soares for which music was provided by Apolinaris D'Souza. There were two dances presented by the community children. One was choreographed by Sylvester Vaz and performed by Liza D'sa, Aaron Saldana, Stacy Vaz, Rebecca Pinto, Melina Goveas, Chelsea D'Sa, Elrica Frank and Aaryl Saldanha, Second dance was choreographed by Melanie Crasta and performed by Megan D'souza, Shaina Rebello, Relista Correa, Lenita Lobo, Alston Moras, Joel Lobo, Shawn D'Silva and Shervin D'Silva

Chiti Piti – a dance choreographed by Deepak D Souza was performed by Rachel Fernandes, Giselle Fernandes, Cheryl Fernandes, Reuben Castelino, Denzil Saldanha, Daryl Saldanha. Konkan Kalakar of Muscat presented three rib-tickling skits, namely Ladies Garment, Bapaik Jai Jallo Puth and Birthday party. The actors were Walter Pinto, Walter Mendonca, Peter Fernandes, Flavia D'souza, Cheryl Fernandes, Edward Mendonca, Helen Sequeira, Alwyn Pinto, Lenita Lobo, Dean D'Souza and Priyanka Mendonca

Lancy Lobo proposed the vote of thanks. Traditional Mangalorean lunch prepared by Al Arsalan Restaurant ( Alwyn Saldanha) was served during the lunch break. Before the close of the function, Bonanza was conducted by Cyprian Misquith and Simon D'Souza

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