Report: Jane Ida Pinto
Pics: Dilip Correa & J P Mascarenhas
For Daijiworld Media Network – Muscat

Muscat, May 10: Clarence Donald Pinto, www.daijiworld.com portal’s Muscat Team Leader, well-known Konkani writer and activist has taken the charge of the president of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP - Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) for the year 2008 – 2009 during the MCCP Annual Day function. The Annual Day function was held on Friday May 9 at the main parish hall of Ruwi Church.  Clarence is currently representing the Mangalorean Community to the Pastoral Council of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.

The MCCP executive committee consists of two important roles of the main coordinators.  The first main coordinator’s responsibility has been taken by well-known Konkani activist, singer and writer Nirmala Goveas and she will be the leader of cultural, spiritual and public relations committees.  Samuel D’ Silva, an active sports personality of the community, hailing from Brahmavar arish, will be managing and leading the sports and finance committees as their main coordinator.

The rest of the team members of the newly-formed Executive Committee are  as follows:
 
General Secretary     : Victoria Soares
Honorary Treasurer   :    Arun D Souza
Internal Auditor         :      Alex Aranha
Sports Secretary 1     :  Donald Fernandes
Sports Secretary 2     :   Dolly Sequeira
Cultural Secretary 1   :  Hazel Dias
Cultural Secretary 2   :  Sunil Prakash Mascarenhas
Spiritual Secretary     :  Hilda Fernandes
Community Services Secretary:  Hubert D Souza

The whole new Executive Committee consists of the new and energetic community activists.  All of them have expressed their utmost enthusiasm and eagerness to serve the community at the Ruwi and Ghala Parishes.  Each one of them has various talents and experience in serving various social and community organizations in the past.  “This year we have young, talented and very enthusiastic committee to serve our community at Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi and Holy Spirit Church, Ghala” said Clarence Pinto while talking to www.daijiworld.com team.

Prior to the formation of the new executive committee 2008, an exciting and entertaining “Sixteenth Annual Day” programme was planned and presented by the outgoing executive committee 2007 –2008 under the leadership of Stanley T H Fernandes, the president, Dilip Correa, main coordinator of cultural, spiritual and community services committees and Valerian Joseph Dantis, main coordinator of sports and finance committees.

The function commenced precisely at 10.30 a. with a thanksgiving Holy Eucharist in Konkani offered by Fr Raymond Rego.  The Konkani choir under the leadership of Herald Rasquinha presented the melodious and spirit-filled hymns.

After the Holy mass cultural programme commenced at 12.10 pm with a song titled “Amchi Mai Bhas Konkani”, which was composed by Konkani Sangeethacho Rai Kuvar (Prince of Konkani Music) Oswald D’ Souza.  Well-known Konkani singers of Muscat, namely Apolinaris D Souza, Dolphy Vaz, Ronald Lobo, Jane Ida Pinto, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Monica Dantis, Lancy Sequeira, Jovita Sequeira, Ivan Moras, Jacintha Serrao, Anitha Lobo and Alistair Pinto participated in the presentation of this enchanting song and thus giving a perfect start to the function.

Fr Albert D’ Silva offered prayers thanking God for His choicest blessings on the year gone by and seeking showers of blessings on the audience and the forthcoming year.  Dattu – Stanley T H. Fernandes in his welcome address expressed sincere gratitude to the sponsors, well-wishers, core committee members, executive committee members and sub-committee members for their wholehearted support during 2007 – 2008.

Vinita Maria D Souza, the general secretary of MCCP presented the annual report of 2007 - 2008.  The sponsors, supporters and the outgoing MCCP executive committee members of 2007 – 2008 were honoured with the presentation of mementos. Fr Raymond Rego, visiting priest of Lucknow diocese and Sr Voilet Fernandes of Missionaries of Charity – Mumbai were also present on the dais. 

www.daijiworld.com received a memento as an appreciation for their relentless services to the Mangalorean Community in the Sultanate of Oman and in fact to the Konkani people throughout the globe and Jane Ida Pinto received the memento on behalf of Muscat Team.

In his speech as the chief guest of the Annual Day function, Fr Albert expressed his gratitude to all the Mangaloreans of the parish and their support to the various needs of the community.

Clarence Pinto was the master of the ceremony of the whole programme. and The entire function was presented in Konkani.

Formation of new committee was held under the guidance of the spiritual advisor, Fr Albert D Silva and the leadership of Donald Pinto, a prominent Mangalorean of the Ruwi Parish. The new committee was welcomed by the whole community with a thunderous applause.

The entertainment programme commenced immediately after the formal ceremony with a spiritual tableau titled “Sts Peter and Paul” which was dedicated to the patrons saints of Ruwi Parish, directed by Philomena Moras, spiritual events coordinator of MCCP and presented by Ivan Moras and Lancy Sequeira. Joachim D Souza was the playback narrator.

“Kinkinaa” a scintillating dance choreographed by Deepak D Souza, rib-tickling skit by the hilarious team of the community - Walter Mendonca, Walter Pinto, Jeevan Mascarenhas, Sunil D Souza, Victor Baptist Pais and Lancy Lobo were special attaraction. A dance number highlighting the annual MCCP theme “Borem Kutam Bori Somaj” (Good Family Better Society) was the perfect final touch to the entertainment programme.

Vote of Thanks was proposed by Naveen Mascarenhas, the current sport events coordinator.

Traditional and sumptuous Mangalorean food was prepared and served by the famous the Al Arsalan Restaurant (Alwyn Saldhana). Housie-housie and raffle draw were conducted by Suraj Rebello.

It was truly an entertaining and Mangalorean spirit-filled event for the community.