Media Release
Kuwait, Dec 25: Christmas being one of the most significant Christian events marking the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated across the world as a message of peace, love, hope, fostering harmony and goodwill among people. The season unites people together in a spirit of unity, compassion, and sharing.
The Konkani Community of Goa and Mangaluru along with their family members gathered at the Holy Family Hall of the Parish, Kuwait, on December 11 for the Christmas celebration.
The celebration began with an introductory note by the emcees of the event, wherein Clifford D'Souza highlighted the significance of the Konkani community, and Gracy Rodrigues spoke about the spirit and importance of the Christmas celebration.
The event started with the invocation of Almighty God’s blessings on the gathering, with the prayer led by Margaret D’Souza.
Further, there was a warm welcome speech by Konkani community leader Cyril Lobo, who greeted all the priests, Carmel Sisters, guests, and members of the Konkani community along with their families.
This was followed by a charming welcome dance performed by the Little Angels and multi-language carols from St Gregory and St Joseph Choir Team, led by Maxim Pinto, adding a joyful start to the celebrations.
The spiritual director of the Konkani community, Dr Antony Lopez, OFM Cap, JCD, chancellor, ecclesiastical judge of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, and the eccl judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Bombay, delivered a beautiful Christmas message and invited on the stage the chief guest Fr Orfin Menezes, OFM Cap, guest of honor, Fr Dominic Santamaria, Fr Darel Fernandes, OFM Cap, rector and parish priest of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Arabia Parish, Ahmadi, Fr Nelson Lobo, OFM Cap, director of Christian Formation of AVONA, Fr Avil Manoj Rosario, OFM Cap, assistant priest of Abbasiya Parish, Fr Yassa Ghobrial the Coptic Catholic, Fr Sliman Hifawi in-charge of Latin Arabs, Spanish and Italian Communities, Fr Marlon A Magdoza, OFM Cap in-charge of Filipino Community, Fr Jude Chanaka Lalantha Croos in-charge of Sri Lankan community, and brother Pedro a Seminarian, along with the Carmel Sisters, and presented them with floral bouquets as a mark of welcome.
The leaders of the Konkani Committee, the spiritual director, chief guest, the guest of honor & the guests, cut the festive cake, as a token of sharing the sweetness and happiness with one and all.
During the Christmas celebrations, the chief guest Fr Orfin Menezes conveyed a festive message to the audience, highlighting the spirit of joy and unity, while Fr Dominic Santamaria delivered a spiritual message emphasizing faith and goodwill.
On behalf of the Konkani community, Fr Dr Antony Lopez also felicitated Fr Domnic Santamaria, priest of Holy Family Co-Cathedral Parish, on completing 55 years of ordination, including 53 years of dedicated service in Kuwait. During his ministry, he celebrated 300,470 Holy Masses, administered 8,143 baptisms, and solemnized 748 marriages, marking a remarkable contribution to the Christian community.
During the event, he also felicitated Lawrence Saldanha, Praveen Menezes, and Tony Dias for their invaluable services to the Christian community in Kuwait and in India.
Although the parish priest of The Holy Family Co-Cathedral Parish, Fr Gasper Fernandes, OFM Cap, was unable to attend the event due to prior commitments outside Kuwait, but the Emcee Clifford D’Souza conveyed his message, which had been shared at the time of the invitation, appreciating the Konkani community of Kuwait for its unparalleled services to the co-cathedral parish of Kuwait. He also noted that the Konkani community ranks second among all communities affiliated with the Kuwait Church.
Amidst the celebrations, various programs were presented, including a solo Goan song by Romeo Braganza, Ballroom Dance performances of Cha-Cha-Cha and Jive by the JOVAS United for Dance Group, duet songs - Goan by Debbie Lobo and Maxi Pinto, and Mangalurean by Raina D’Mello and Andy Mendonca. There were also children’s dance performances by the Jillmil Team, Goan Hip Hop and Mangalorean Konkani dances, a Mogache Ullas Mando by the Goan team, and two Konkani skits: one by the Christ the Prayer group and another titled Pullu Mojhi Bail Tapulli Kail by the renowned Mangalorean team, Gammath Kalakar.
During the celebration, snacks, juice, and water were served, keeping the invitees attentive and joyful.
Grace before the meal was recited by Fr Avil Rosario, assistant priest and spiritual director of the Konkani Community of Abbasiya Parish, followed by the pinnacle of the event an appetizing non-vegetarian meal, served as a take-home service. The essence of the celebration was enjoyed by all who participated in the program, which lasted approximately two and half hours.
All the donors, sponsors, participants including lights, sounds systems team, video broadcasting team and photographers were felicitated by Konkani Committee with floral bouquets & memento.
Finally, the Konkani Community leader, Carmo Santos delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to everyone who directly or indirectly contributed to staging the programme and making it a notable event.
The Holy Family Co-Cathedral Konkani Committee managing committee put up in their best efforts to make the event a successful and memorable one which shall be remembered by all the family members.