Pics: Joachim D’Souza
The Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP Oman – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi), began its 26th year in a simple yet heart-warming manner to set the tone for the rest of the year. The 26th year inaugural day was also the occasion for installing the new executive committee for the year 2017-18 under the leadership of new president, Sunil Victor Furtado.
The day’s events started with the Eucharistic celebration at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ruwi. The mass in Konkani was celebrated by Fr Mariyan Miranda, assistant parish priest and spiritual director of MCCP, Fr Derick D’Souza, guest priest from Mangaluru and Fr Bolmax, guest priest from Goa. Fr Derick gave a profound homily describing the difference between public opinion and personal conviction, and the need to stick to personal convictions. The melodious choir led by well-known Apolinaris D’Souza and Konkani choir group made the celebration even more meaningful and beautiful.
A cultural programme followed the Mass immediately after the breakfast at the parish hall which was attended by more than 500 people. Clarence Pinto, the stalwart of MCCP, compered the programme. The programme commenced with the traditional rendition of Parameshwara – the welcome song by Apolanaris D’Souza and group consisting Alston C Moras, Aldrean Antony Moras, Relitsa Correa, Lanette Riol Rego, Melroy Anson Fernandes, Ansel Mario Fernandes, Andril Cliston Lobo, Clive Austin Danthi, Calvin Machado, Shane Menezes, Lester D’Souza, Saniya D’Souza, Stacy Vaz and Pearl Menezes. Fr Mariyan offered a prayer for the continual growth of MCCP under the new leadership and in particular for the success of the day’s event. A beautiful welcome dance choreographed by Dynet Fernandes was performed by Charmaine group consisting of Calida Simona Machado, Christine Angelin Danthi, Lovette Rachelle Rego, Pearl Lewis, Reia Caron Correa, and Rochelle Catrina Correa.
The introduction of the new executive committee was done in a new and unique style with a short video clip giving a brief introduction of each person. The video was created by Melanie Crasta with support from Kirk, Linda D’Souza and Joel Mendonca. The entire committee along with the new president then took centre stage and sang the theme song for the year. The theme song was written by Kishoo Barkur, composed by Eric Soans and music was given by Triven Goveas and Sachin Joy Lobo.
The executive committee members for the year 2017-18 are Sunil Victor Furtado (president), Michael Goveas (vice-president – sports and finance), Naveen Francies Mascarenhas (vice-president – cultural, spiritual and community service), Olive Jane Castelino (general secretary), Francis Pinto (honorary treasurer), Vijai D’Cunha (internal auditor), Vinod Terence D’Souza (sports secretary), Dynet Fremcitha Fernandes (cultural secretary), Philomena Saldanha (spiritual secretary) and Suneel Menezes (community service secretary).
Fr Mariyan Miranda, Fr Derick D’Souza, Fr Sunil Monis and the chief guests of the day, Liguory and Margaret D’Mello, the entrepreneurial couple and patrons for past several years, joined the committee on the stage to light twenty six lamps to mark the beginning of the 26th year of MCCP. An impressive logo, designed by Ascension D’Souza was unveiled which featured the theme of the year ‘Amchi samanatha vantya, amchi vibhinnatha Sambramya’ (“Share our similarities, celebrate our differences”).
In his presidential address, Sunil Furtado emphasised the need for change and newness in the working of the association. He highlighted that involving and bonding with the new generation is the need of the hour and programmes should cater to their needs and tastes. In addition, he advocated simplicity, humility and spirituality in all their works and focus on helping each other.
Clarence Pinto, who is also a member of the core committee that supports the current executive committee in carrying out their responsibilities, took the opportunity to announce changes in the core committee (CC). He informed the gathering that Henry Martis and Suraj Rebello, after several years of exemplary service to the community have resigned from the CC. He introduced John Gonsalves, a hardworking, humble and selfless former president and the current president, Sunil Furtado as the new members of the CC. While John Gonsalves will be a permanent member of the CC, Sunil Furtado’s term will be for a year and will be replaced by the new president next year. They were welcomed into the CC by Fr Mariyan and the present members of the CC, Stanley Fernandes, Donald Pinto and Clarence Pinto.
It was then time to facilitate the spiritual director, Fr Mariyan Miranda, who is highly loved among the community, on completion of 25 years of priesthood. A beautiful cake was cut by Fr Mariyan to mark the day, which was specially made for the occasion by Reena Mathais. The president adorned Fr Mariyan with a silver chain. Dilip Correa and Jessy Pereira, the parish council members of Ruwi church along with Edward Mendonca, the parish council member of Ghala church, presented a shawl as a sign of respect and gratitude for his services to the community.
Ever smiling, charming and well-known personality of Muscat, Nirmala Goveas made a grand entry with a beautiful rendition of a song on the new committee. She then took over the proceedings from Clarence and continued compering the programme. She called on the Swag Stars to come on stage to enthral the crowd with a stunning dance performance. It was choreographed by Alston Moras and Caroline D’Souza, coordinated by Sonia D’Souza and performed by Leanne D’Souza, Princy D’Souza, Shamila Bennett, Fhilu Moras, Saira D’Souza, Reena Mathias, Cavin D’Souza and Canan D’Souza.
This was followed by a presentation on the on-line membership registration and a revamped version of the MCCP website www.mccpoman.com by Vijai D’Cunha. He thanked Arun Godwin Valadr and Monica Fernandes for their efforts towards these initiatives. He requested members to register on-line and visit the website often to get all the latest updates. A lucky draw among the first ones to register on-line was conducted and three winners were announced. Naveen Mascarenhas gave details of the events that are being planned for the year 2017-18 and also took people’s opinion on the need of conducting certain events.
The audwase were treated with a comedy skit enacted by Walter Mendonca, Praveen Serra and Peter Fernandes. The much talented Priyanka Mendonca then presented a lovely fusion ghetto dance of black cats performed by children Anisha DÇosta, Tania Saldanha, Gloria Barboza, Delishya D’Souza, Francesca Colaco and Ashvita Coutinho. For the first time, a musical medley on MCCP stage was presented by a highly talented group of artists. They sang 13 beautiful Konkani songs in a well-coordinated sequence, which was well appreciated by the crowd. Sachin Joy Lobo was the team leader supported by Triven Goveas on keyboard, Prakash D’Souza on drums and Pritham D’Souza on guitar. Canan D’Souza, Cavin D’Souza, Joel Mendonca, Joyal D’Souza, Sachin Lobo, Renita D’Souza and Leanne D’Souza lent their voice to the song.
Francis Pinto honoured the sponsors by calling the major sponsors on stage and felicitating them. He requested their continual support during the whole year.
It was then time for a sumptuous lunch with Nirmala Goveas invoking God’s grace and the president giving the traditional Chembu and Udhak to the guests. The well-known Ghasitaram Halwai Group of Restaurants and a team led by Gracy and Henry Castelino ensured that the meal is replete with finger licking exquisite Mangalurean delicacies.
After lunch, the proceedings started with Naveen Mascarenhas delivering the vote of thanks, thanking all those who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
A short comedy play was presented by Walter Mendonca and party to tickle the funny bones of the audience. The much awaited bonanza draw was conducted by Dynet Fernandes and Michael Goveas, wherein winners walked away with high value prizes such as an air ticket, LED TV, mobile phone and others.
The audience was then treated with a scintillating dance by teenagers who called themselves JzoneD. The dance was choreographed by Jeyal Tharakan and performed by Andril Cliston Lobo, Gail Naiara Castelino, Joshua Tharakan, Neil Antony Castelino, Silvitta and Stacy Vaz. Rolson Cardoz, an affable performer for MCCP, presented a stand-up comedy on the theme ‘dreams’.
MCCP awarded certificates of excellence to the students of the community who performed exceptionally well in the Xth and XIIth standard examinations. The recipients of the awards for XIIth standard were Jyotsna Andrea D’Souza, Joel Prem Lobo, Errol Winston Mascarenhas and Bertyl Noronha. Similarly, for the Xth standard, the awards were presented to Adventina Prudentia Rodrigues, Vanessa Callista Rego, Pearl Salvia Menezes, Melita Janice Rodrigues, Gavin Martin Leema, Joel George Menezes, Neil Russel Fernandes and Aanice Denita D’Almeida. Lawrence Alva and Fr Derick D’Souza presented the certificates of excellence on a plaque (sponsored by Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading) and cash gifts (sponsored by Lawrence Alva). The ceremony was conducted by Jane Castelino.
Saving the best for the last, Sachin Joy Lobo and team sang the Baila which brought the crowd to their feet. These high energy performers were Canan D’Souza, Cavin D’Souza, Joel Mendonca, Joyal D’Souza, Renita D’Souza and Leanne D’Souza. They were supported on the key board by Triven Goveas, on the drums by Prakash D’Souza and on the guitar by Pritham D’Souza. The last item on the agenda was a game of housie, conducted by Terry D’Souza and Suneel Menezes with great vigour and enthusiasm. Several high value prizes including an air ticket for the full house winner were given away.
The entire event was covered by a power-point presentation compiled by Monica Fernandes. Lovleen Rego provided excellent background score as the DJ and Zezito provided the sound and light system. Lancy Lobo and team ensured that the venue was beautifully decorated for the event. Joachim D’Souza was the official photographer, and Nagesh and Rolson did the video coverage.
Overall, the Mangalurean Catholic community in Muscat witnessed a day of fun and entertainment provided by Team-26 and would be bracing itself to a paradigm shift in thinking and style during the year.
The platinum sponsor of the year was Muscat Golden Services LLC (Raphael D’Souza), the gold sponsors were Omantel (courtesy Eula Pinto), and Technofit Trading LLC (Liguory & Margaret D’Mello), Silver sponsors were Marmul Hospitality group of Travels, Exchange & Hotel Golden Oasis (Mabel Pinto – courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), and National Finance Company SAOG (Robert Pancras – courtesy Francis Pinto), and bronze sponsors were Sea Pearls LLC (Riyas – courtesy Francis Pinto), Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co. LLC (Denis Mascarenhas), and Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadras).
Puravankara Limited & Provident, Gemini Energy LLC (Prasad – courtesy Naveen Mascarenhas), Lawrence Alva, Malabar Gold and Diamonds (courtesy Philomena Mendonca), National Oilwell Varco (courtesy Michael Goveas), Reem Al Shimal Golden LLC (Hiranya – courtesy Suneel Menezes), Abna Al Alawia (Balaji – courtesy Suneel Menezes), and Capital Glass (Nischay R Shetty – courtesy Philomena Mendonca) were the sponsors of the event.
Dance and skit sponsors were Sunil and Savitha Menezes, Nathasha Noronha, Francis and Nirmala Fernandes, Mervin and Veena Lewis, Victor Mascarenhas, Ivan and Nancy Gonsalves, Lawrence and Judy Lobo, and John and Joice Gonsalves.
The donors for the prizes were Vivian and Jessy Pereira, Spice Jet (Jay Mohan – Courtesy Prem Colaco), Eurostar Telecommunications LLC (Ramananda Shetty – courtesy Jessy Pereira), Vincent Menezes, and Edward and Philomena Mendonca, Ooredoo (Santhosh – courtesy Suneel Menezes).
