Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Jul 17: The Konkan community of St Paul’s Catholic Church Mussafah, here recently celebrated their third anniversary with great fervor.

The celebration began with holy mass, the main celebrant for the mass being Fr Wilson Rumao spiritual director of St Paul’s Konkani Community, Mussafah. Devotees in large numbers attended the thanksgiving mass.

A cultural programme anchored brilliantly by Suresh Saldanha began immediately after mass. The programme commenced with a prayer dance Saglya Srastechya Yeh Raschnara (Oh! Creator of the universe) performed by Stacy, Sianna, Deona and Serra. The main coordinator of the community, John D’Lima welcomed the priests Fr Varghese OFM Cap, assistant parish priest, Fr Abraham OFM Cap assistant parish priest, Fr Wilson Rumao OFM Cap, assistant parish priest and spiritual director of Konkani community of St Paul’s Church Musaffah and guests of honor Robert D’Souza, Noel D’Costa and Flavia Crasta for felicitation. Flower bouquets were presented to them as a token of love and gratitude for their wholehearted support to the community.

Immediately after the felicitation, the emcee requested all the priests and guests of honour to light the lamp along with the Apex team coordinator. A special anniversary cake was cut in commemoration of the event. The emcee called on stage, members of the audience whose birthdays/anniversaries fall in July.

John D’Lima presented a detailed annual report highlighting all the activities that had taken place the previous year.

It was a moment of pride for all the members of Konkani community at Mussafah to felicitate three of their parish children who passed their 10th and 12th grade exams. They were honoured with a certificate and gift as a token of love and appreciation. The recipients are: Abigael Fabia Sequeira- SSCE, Chrizel Shirley D‘Souza– SSCE and Shalet Pinto- PUC. As a token of love and appreciation the Konkani community also felicitated Mervin Lobo and Jennifer Gomes for training the children and for choreography of the cultural activities.

The anniversary theme song with lyrics by Suresh Saldanha and composed by Ashwin Dias was received with great applause.

The Musaffah kids Deana, Serra, Stacy, Natasha, Sianna, Cleon, Ethan, Natan and Justin performed a scintillating dance titled Rail Gaadi that got the audience on their toes and was well appreciated.

The next performance was a dance by Savio and Merlyn and Marvin and Jasmine titled Yego Tu Yego Mogache Toofanutovnk Yego that mesmerized the audience and got them dancing and shouting out for more.

The day’s final cultural programme was a stunning dance performance by Mervin Lobo and Melissa Monteiro which took the audience to a different level earning them a standing ovation from the audience. These eye catching performances by the artistes have left a lasting impression in minds of the audience.

Many spot prizes for children, ladies and gents were distributed during the programme and the emcee kept the crowd in good humour with his witty jokes.

In his vote of thanks, Apex team liturgy coordinator Robert Cardin thanked all the people for their continued support and hoped the same for their future events. He also thanked Fr Wilson Rumao for organizing the second Konkani mass for Musaffah church which all the people had wanted for a long time.

Fr Wilson presented the grace before meal. The traditionally prepared meal was enjoyed by all.

The Baila dance brought the people onto the dance floor. The programme concluded with the song 'Laudate Dominos' by all.

The third anniversary of the Konkan community was indeed a memorable one to cherish.