Media Release
Dubai, April 9: On April 5, 2025, the enchanting atmosphere of St Mary’s Church in Dubai became a sanctuary of spirituality as the St Mary’s Mangalurean Community (SMMC) hosted a beautiful devotional evening titled "Bhoktik Sanz Jezu ani Bara Apostol".
For three transformative hours, this event united the community, offering profound moments of reflection and connection. The evening commenced with an uplifting array of live music and melodious hymns sung in Konkani, English, Hindi, and Kannada, creating an ambiance filled with harmony and devotion. The biblical story and screenplay thoughtfully crafted by Glany Fernandes.
Under the concept and creative direction of “Melody Star” Maxim Pereira Angelore including the visualization, graphics & editing, The stage was beautifully set for an unforgettable journey of faith. The background music, skilfully provided by Joel Pereira, added an emotional layer that resonated beautifully with the audience.
The organisers and audience were honoured to have esteemed dignitaries grace the occasion, including spiritual dDirector Fr. Victor Fernandes, judicial vicar Fr. Valerian, Fr Darick Paul D'Souza, Sr Jacintha Cutinha, Joanna Fernandes (vice president of St Mary’s Church), Saji Varghese (secretary of St Mary’s Church), and Joseph Mathias (main coordinator of SMMC Dubai).
Joseph Mathias warmly welcomed and expressed gratitude to all dignitaries on the dais, presenting bouquets and tokens of appreciation, especially acknowledging Fr Lennie Connully OFM CAP, parish priest of St Mary’s Church, for his unwavering support in facilitating this extraordinary evening.
In his inspiring guest speech, Fr Darick Paul D'Souza emphasised the importance of such gatherings in strengthening cultural ties and heritage. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors for their generous support and to the
audience for their enthusiastic participation, highlighting how these events play a vital role in educating the younger generation about our cherished traditions.
All sponsors and artistes were duly honoured with mementos, celebrating their contributions to this remarkable occasion.
The highlight of the evening was the highly anticipated biblical drama, “Jesu ani Bhara Apostel” (Jesus and the Twelve Apostles), which captivated the audience. The performance was visually stunning, drawing viewers into the narrative, making them feel as if they were witnessing the events firsthand. The actors delivered their lines with remarkable depth and emotion, providing insights that resonated deeply within everyone.
Special recognition went to talented singers and artistes: Maxim Pereira, Vinay Lewis, Joseph Mathias, Sabita Mathias, Lydwin Cutinha, Priyanka D’Souza, Sheetal D’Souza, Leora D’Souza, Sharal D’Costa, Nisha D’Souza, Lisha Cutinha, Trisha Lobo, Jeevan Vas and Anil Rodrigues.
The biblical drama featured an exceptional cast: Dony Corea as Jesus, Josly Pinto as Peter, Melwin Kalakul as James, Anstin Machado as John, Dainy Dsouza as Andrew, Oswald Dsouza as Philip, Clifferd Rodrigues as Bartholomew, Jaison Saldanha as Matthew, Francis Menezes as Thomas, Ashok Menezes as James (the son of Alphaeus), Viyon Viegas as Thaddeus, Clement Cardoza as Simon the Zealot, and Robert Fernandes as Judas Iscariot.
Musical accompaniment provided by Prashanth Sequeira on keyboards, Vincent Rodrigues on lead guitar, Floid Pereira on bass guitar, Fred Roshan on drums, and Shameer on rhythm pad enriched the overall atmosphere, creating a symphony that uplifted the spirits of all attendees.
In conclusion, the event was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community and devotion among all who participated. This meaningful evening, held during the Lent season, delivered an uplifting message about embracing change, humility, and grounding ourselves amidst the hustle of daily life. Sincere gratitude was extended to everyone who took part and contributed to making this event a cherished memory.
A special thanks went out to MC, Uttam Menezes, whose guidance was instrumental in ensuring the event ran smoothly and successfully.