Doha: Mangalore Catholic Association (MCA) Inaugurated

from Veena Rebimbus
for Daijiworld Media Network - Doha (GA)
                             
Doha, Mar 29: Manglaorean Catholic Association (MCA), Doha Qatar was officially inaugurated on Thursday March 27, 2008.

The evening began with the Holy Mass offered by Fr Paul Pinto, parish priest of Fajir church, who is on a short visit to Qatar.

The second part of the evening was the official inauguration of the association which started with the prayer recited by Fr Paul Pinto, who craved God’s Blessings on the association and especially on the executive committee members. The executive committee members were introduced to the assembled gathering and the advisory committee members were greeted with flowers by tiny children. Henry Michael D’Souza, a prominent businessman together with Fr Paul Pinto, Jerry Pinto, Felix Lobo, Walter Serrao, Joe D’Souza, Wilfred Fernandes, Dony Lobo and Harry Lobo formally lighted the traditional lamp and officially inaugurated the Association.

The Logo and the email id of MCA were inaugurated by Stephanie Lobo.

Harry Lobo, newly-elected president of the association welcomed the gathering. A brief report about MCA was read by the general secretary Benjamin Rebeiro.

Fr Paul Pinto, who was guest of honour for the evening, conveyed his good wishes to all the members and urged the members to work with unity to achieve their goal.

Henry Michael D’Souza presided over the function. He is a prominent business man and a resident of Qatar since 52 years. In his inaugural address to the gathering he said that he is very happy to be a part of this association as it is the first Mangalorean Catholic Association of its type in Qatar which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother Theresa.

All the advisory committee members speaking on this occasion promised their full support to MCA and asked the members to follow Mother Theresa’s noble work who is the patron of this association. Wilfred Fernandes addressed the gathering and said that the work of this association should not be limited for Qatar only but the deeds should reach Mangalore.

Felix Lobo conveyed his message of appreciation and advice to all the gathered members. He said that MCA is formed mainly to help the poorest of the poor and orphans back home in our Motherland specially to help in their education. This association will also lend a helping hand for the community people in Qatar who are in need of assistance. He requested the Mangalorean Catholic people of Qatar to become members of the Association and work for the good cause.

The function ended with a vote of thanks by Wilson Mendonca, vice-president of the association. Cyril Sequeira (CGS Taccode) anchored the whole programme.

Introduction of MCA:

MCA is a socio-cultural association formed with the main objective of bringing Mangalorean Catholic Konkani speaking people together to help each other, to provide education to the poorest of the poor and orphan children in our home land and also to help the people in trouble in Qatar.

This association will also maintain touch with our culture by organizing cultural events.

• Organizing Family get together during holidays or any other convenient time.
• Celebrate some of the Mangalorean Feasts.
• Encourage our youngsters in the field of sports.
• Honour outstanding Mangaloreans for excelling in studies at school, sports or selfless service to the Mangalorean Catholic community in Doha.
• The Patron of MCA is Blessed Mother Theresa.
• Any Mangalorean Konkani speaking Catholic is eligible to be the member of the Association.
• The Life membership amount is QR 100/- for single and QR 200/- for family.

The following are the office-bearers and committee members who have been elected unanimously.
Harry Lobo – President
Wilson Mendonca – Vice-president  
Benjamin A Rebeiro – Secretary
Clement Saldanha – Treasurer
Arthur Pais – Cultural Secretary
Alwyn Almeida – Sports Secretary
Cyril G Sequeira – Public Relations 
Active Committee members
Jason Quadros  -
John Pinto   
Austin Rodrigues
Dorothy Sequeira Quadros 
Veena Rebimbus Pais
Wilma D’Souza  
Aneta Rebimus

Some of the most respected and prominent personnel of Qatar were selected as the advisory committee members to guide and assist the managing committee:
Henry Michael D’Souza
Jerry Pinto
Felix Fidelix Lobo
Joe D’Souza
Wilfred Fernandes 
Walter Serrao
Dony Lobo 

For further information please write to mcaqatar@gmail.com.