by Dilip Correa and Melanie Crasta
Daijiworld Media Network – Muscat (SP)
Muscat, Dec 1: Young people of MCCP (Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish) had a great day of gustful interaction and celebration, at this year’s Christmas festivity. Arrival of Santa Claus was the main attraction of the event, along with brilliant display of talents, togetherness and total entertainment. The event was a grand success and all credit for this goes to Suraj Rebello, president of MCCP, and his committed committee of this term. It marked a new dawn on MCCP’s family entertainment and social environment. It also came as an inspiration to more community youths to join in the community activities and events, and thus serve the parish at large.
MCCP Annual Christmas Party began with a bang at the Crystal Suites, Al Wadi Al Kabir, on Sunday November 29, 2009 at 4 pm. Darryl Saldanha and Melannie Crasta duo, two vibrant community youth leaders, were the comperes. Suraj Rebello, president of MCCP, officially presented the welcome address. The vibrant youth team of Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church presented Christmas Carols with a difference. Six groups were formed among the children, named ‘Cookies’, ‘Candies’, ‘Stars’, ‘Bells’, ‘Reindeer’ and ‘Santa’s’. The entire function was full of various games of entertainment.
Then the two comperes took the children into a marching sequence. While in the march, the children held hands, passed under them and yelled HO! HO! HO! The proceedings then slowed down a little with a hilarious but sweet prayer, recited by the comperes. President Suraj Rebello was then called to give the welcome address and cut the cake. The committee and the children shared the cakes, as Christmas carols were sung by a group of MCCP youngsters. The children joined in the party, by heartily dancing and singing along with the group.
This was followed by the ‘Reindeer Rally’, where the children had to stick artificial red noses onto their own noses. Later, all of them were led to ‘Santa's Island’, where they were scheduled to meet Santa. The children still had their red noses on and had to go down to Santa's Island with the noses still stuck on. It was a very embarrassing and funny experience. The children were led by the volunteers to Santa's Island while singing ‘Jingle Bells’. The children were met by two very lively jokers on the Island, but there was no sign of Santa himself.
Suraj Rebello then took over the proceedings, and made the children sing ‘Santa Claus is coming to Town. By then, Santa had arrived at his Island, and the children were so happy at seeing such a jovial Santa. He danced with the children and the two jokers. The evening was coming to an end, and the children were called age-wise for their gift bags that were delivered by Santa.
The venue was sponsored by Crystal Suites. Raj Kumar, general manager, and Bhagath, sales and marketting manager, of Crystal Suites, graced the party. Crib and Christmas tree were decorated by Philomena Moras and Ivan Moras, Hall and Santaland were decorated by Jecintha Machado, The sponsors were: Crystal Suites, who sponsored the venue and Oman Foodstuff Factory. The music was directed by Lanston Pinto and Meval Dantis. It was a day to remember for years.
The evening came to a fitting end with all the children dancing to some foot-tapping numbers. All in all, the celebrating gave an amazing experience.