Muscat : MCCP’s A Day with the Lord
Report : Clarence Pinto
Photographs : Dilip and Sandra Correa
Daijiworld Media Network
Muscat, Mar 20: The Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish, (MCCP, Sts. Peter & Paul Church – Ruwi) organized, for the first time in its history, a complete spiritual program titled “A Day With the Lord” on Friday, 19th March 2010 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church Main Hall for its members and families.
“It was entirely a different program for us, the members of MCCP during this holy and spirit filled season of Lent” said one of the prominent and senior member of the Mangalorean community to Daijiworld team while having the Lenten Meal at the Basketball Court. “Whole year, we have many cultural and sports programs to improve our skills and entertain our minds but this is something entirely different to enhance our spiritual strength. This program helped us to grow spiritually. I am really happy to become the part of the function and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Praise and Worship was great, The skit was marvelous, “Stations of the Cross” in Konkani by Valerian Dalmaida touched our hearts and now the Lenten meal, which is fabulous. Great work by MCCP team ”
Mariete Fernandes, the charsmatic and thoughtful spiritual secretary of MCCP, had formulated the complete program and in fact, she was the strength behind the success of this spiritual program. As usual, she had a strong support from Suraj Rebello, the current president of MCCP, Prescilla Machado, Monica Dantis, Jessie Pereira, Cyprian Misquith, Lydia Sanctis, Ajith Walder, Lavina D'Sa and Reena Mathias. Nelson D Silva, the present Mangalorean Community representative to the Pastoral Council of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi had designed the program.
The Day commenced at around 4.15 p.m. with a welcome address by Mariete Fernandes which was followed by “Hame Shakti De De Dhatha” a devotional Hindi hymn presentation by the children and youth of the community. Suraj Rebello officially welcomed the participants and expressed immense joy of having a presentation of different nature and a spiritual program for the members. Then, the youth of the Mary Immaculate Praise Community (MIPC) lead by Joseph conducted a “Praise and Worship” session invoking divine blessings on the faithful. After Praise and Worship, the Mangalorean Community Choir lead by Musician par Excellence Apolinaris D Souza presented hymns in Konkani. Nelson D Silva anchored the program.
A scintillating Spiritual play “Suffering of Jesus”, written and directed by Deepak D Souza and coordinated by Lancy Lobo, was then presented by the community artistes. The artistes participated in the play were : Victor Baptist Pais, Walter Mendonca, Walter Pinto, Sylvester Alva, Edward Mendonca, Alwyn Pinto, Dilip Correa, Peter, Anitha Lobo, Steven, John Lobo, John R Lobo, Lancy Sequeira, Samuel D Silva, Donald Fernandes, Shanti D Souza, Janet, Flavia D Souza, Shalet Noronha, Jeevan Mascarenhas, Naveen Mascarenhas, J. P. Mascarenhas, Salvador D Souza, Helen Sequeira, Evjeen Sequeira, Jude, Jerald Saldhana, Jacintha Saldhana, Alwyn Almeida, Melwyn, Alwyn Dias, Rajesh Mascarenhas, Lawrence and Lloyd. Music was provided by Apolinaris D Souza and back stage support was rendered by Sunil D Souza. Deepak D Souza also arranged the complete stage setting and make up for the artistes.
A prominent personality of Abu Dhabi, Valerian Dalmaida presented a meaning Stations of the Cross in Konkani.
Monica Dantis, Vice President - Cultural, Spiritual and Community Services Committee proposed the vote of thanks. Cheryl Fernandes offered the final prayers.
The Lenten Dinner prepared by Alex Aranha was then served to the faithful.
It was truly an enjoyable spiritual program, entirely different in nature, to the Mangaloreans in Muscat. Incredible hard work and dedication has been rendered by the Executive Committee under the able leadership of Suraj Rebello and Mariete Fernandes to stage this function.