Media Release
Chicago, Dec 22: As Christians are in festive mood preparing for Christmas, the Mangalorean Konkan Christians Association presented its prestigious 12th Christmas program, at Sher-E-Punjab Banquet Hall at Downers Grove, Illinois. Although the evening was muggy, rainy and cold, people from around the Chicagoland area ventured to join together and share their joy and happiness with each other. The organizers unleashed fun-packed activities, which prompted everyone from toddlers to the aged to hit the dance floor.
The program began with celebration of Holy Eucharist by Fr Richard Vaz, SVD, Fr Cyril Fernandes and Fr Henry Sequeira. The Holy Eucharist was conducted in Konkani and in English. During the Holy Eucharist, the MKCA choir members sung Konkani and English hymns under the leadership of Dorothy Rego. The Homily was delivered by Fr Cyril Fernandes, who inspired the devotees to share the Peace and Joy with those who are in great need. He narrated his own childhood in his family, where they all joined together for hours to prepare Christmas goodies or Kuswar. He said we have to inculcate those values where we join together to share the joy with each other not only as a family but also as community at large. He said, Christ was born to deliver Peace and Joy to the human race and we shall do the same to each other.
The president of the association Godwin Rego, welcomed all the guest, well-wishers and members present. He thanked the presence of young and old in joining this program, which represents spread of joy and peace to the world. He thanked his Executive committee in successfully conducting several programs during his tenure. He thanked all the well-wishers and guests for their ardent support in achieving this success.
The compere of the program Vissia D’Souza, invited the audience to savor the typical Indian appetizers and the open bar, courtesy MKCA. The program was followed by activities to the young and old conducted by the current Secretary of the Association Steven D’Souza. The President Godwin Rego, distributed prizes to the winners of the activities and door prize winner: Lloyd Quadros, Suraj Mesquita, Leena Mendonca, Sunita Mesquita and Lance Quadros.
As a hallmark of the program, children and adults sang Christmas Carols. As the Christmas carols were concluded, there was grand arrival of the Santa Clause (Steven D’Souza), to the tunes of “Jingle Bells”. The arrival of Santa, sent electric waves to the children present. They were all mesmerized and happy to receive gifts from Santa Clause. All the audience took pictures along with Santa Clause.
The general secretary of the Association and chairperson of the program, Steven D’Souza, thanked all the audience present for their gracious presence and all those who prepared the Kuswar items. The sumptuous typical Indian Dinner with never-to-miss Dukra Maas (pork meat) and Sannam (idli) – home made, was served along with desert.
The organizers sold the Kuswar packets for a nominal price the typical Mangalorean style Christmas goodies, prepared by the Members of MKCA. The proceeds of this sale was earmarked for the Philippines’ Typhoon victims. This is a typical Mangalorean Konkan Christian culture, whereby families prepare Christmas goodies and share them with their relatives and neighbors during Christmas time – a mark of sharing of joy. As usual the attendees hit the dance floor for the musical tunes of Konkani, English, Spanish and Hindi songs presented by the DJ Joey Mendonca.