Report: Media Release

Pics: Joachim D’Souza

Muscat, Dec 13: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish [MCCP], which has been hosting the community events and doing lots of Philanthropic works in Oman since 1991, celebrated annual Christmas Celebration ‘Nathalancho Dabazo’ [Christmas Fiesta], on Friday, December 2, with huge gathering at St Peter & Paul Church Hall at Ruwi, Oman.

The grand programme began with a prayer dance performed by Anisha D’Costa, Aman D’Costa, Adele Reeva D’Souza, Alria Castelino, Clarine Periera, Shavin Chris D’Souza, Shaima Presley Mascarenhas, Rachel Rose Fernandes, Kyra Lewis, Rachel Valerina Vas, Risha Saldanha, Nathan Lewis, Elina Peter D’souza. Choreographed by Anisha Dcosta which stole the hearts of the audience.

Joel Mendonca, a dynamic community member and the Compeer of the day then invited to the dais the entire executive committee of Team-28. Thereon, guest priests, Fr Stephen Lewis and Fr Marian Miranda were welcomed to the stage, and were handed down with flower bouquets and escorted to the stage by MCCP’s president Jessie Vivian Pereira and vice-president Monica Fernandis, respectively.

The formal inauguration took place by lighting the traditional diyas. Fr.Stephen Lewis delivered the Christmas message followed by a prayer and graced the celebration.

Jessie Vivian Pereira, the president of MCCP initiated the event with a welcome note. In her welcome address, she recalled the Covid time Lockdowns and distancing guidelines that have curtailed celebrations in the past, and also the huge devastations and loss of human lives during that time. She also envisaged that, taking part in shared family and in traditional festivities such as those practiced historically during religious celebrations, boosts our sense of shared identity, connection, and ultimately wellbeing. A beautiful skit “Birth of Jesus and Reconciliation” was presented by all the members of the Executive Committee – Team 28, also with the supported team led by Melwin Menezes, Don Fernandes, Darren Fernandes, Ashish Martis, Anisha Dcosta, Aman Dcosta, Adele Reeva D’Souza, Aria Castelino, Clarine Periera, Shavin Chris D’Souza, Shaima Presley Mascarenhas, Rachel Rose Fernandes, Kyra Lewis, Rachel Valerina Vas, Risha Saldanha, Nathan Lewis, Elina Peter D’souza.

A beautiful dance to the tune of different music and songs ‘Dancing Divas’ was performed by Calida Rodriguez, Siona Saldanha, Lianne Saldanha, Nia Saldanha. Choreographed by: Cleona and Siona.

The winners of the Christmas competitions were handed over the prizes.
Winners of Kuswar Competition :
1 st Place : Reshma Steven Periera
2 nd Place: Laveena Passanha)
3 rd Place : Mamatha Dcunha

Cake Making competition:
1 st Place : Ruzaria Fernandes
2 nd Place: Juvan Sequera

Star Making Competition:
1 st Place : Celestine Pinto
2 nd Place: Rosario Fernandes & Risha & Rian Saldana
3 rd Place : Stany Menezes

This was followed by the beautiful dance to the tune of different Konkani music and songs by ‘Dashing Girls” by Reshma Dcosta, Rinette Menezes, Silvia Dias, Veena Paes. Choreographed by Anisha D’costa.

Joyful carols were sung by the Ruwi Youth Choir team led by: Lanston Pinto, Caroline Dsouza, Larissa Rego, Shawn Dsilva, Sherwin Dsilva, Shaun Menezes.
The comedy skit by Peter Prakash Fernandes, Praveen Niddodi, which made the crowd laugh with their comedian dialogues and performances.

All the participants in the event, supporters and volunteers were felicitated and presented gifts by the MCCP Executive Committee members for their unconditional support to the community in general and Team 28 in particular.

Housie – Housie Game was conducted by Joel Mendonca and Merita Pinto. Bonanza draw was conducted by Praveen Serra and assisted by Trecilla Menezes, Merita Pinto, Monica Fernandes, Reshma D’costa and Silvia Dias.

A very special Christmas guest and the childrens most favourite of the season Santa Clause entered with his jingling bells and bag full of chocolates that excited the children. Melodious Baila was performed by “Ghala Choir Group” led by Naveen Mathias, Sachin Lobo, Triven Goveas, Priyan D’Souza, Lavisha D’souza where the crowd enjoyed and danced to the Konkani music and had a gala time.

Christmas Goody bags were distributed to the kids by the EC; Spot games were conducted in between where the entire crowd participated with great enthusiasm. Juice and cakes were distributed during the event and delicious biryani food packs were distributed to the crowd, attended the program. The delicious Biryani was prepared by Prakash D’sa, Udupi Restaurant, Wadi Kabir.

Loveline Rego kept the music flowing with his unique style of DJ and Joachim Dsouza captured the memories of the event with his camera. The hall was beautifully decorated by the MCCP committee members. Merita Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. The event was organised with great professionalism by all the team members of the executive committee of MCCP “Team-28”, whose contributions were whole heartedly acknowledged by Jessie Vivian Pereira as its President. The other Executive Committee members of Team-28 are Monica Fernandes (vice-president – Sports & Finance), Silvia Dias (General Secretary), Victoria Trecilla Menezes (Honorary Treasurer), Reshma D Costa (Sports Secretary), Praveen Donald Serra (Cultural Secretary), Vikas Marshal Fernandes (Spiritual Secretary) and Merita Pinto (Community Services Secretary).

Delicious cakes were sponsored by Nithin Anchan Ceaser confectionaries (courtesy: Philomena Mendonca) and a special Christmas cake was sponsored by Leena Fernandes, Angels Confectionaries.

Mega Event Sponsor: Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOC ( Salem Nasser Al Bortmany, CEO. (Courtesy: Jessie Vivian Pereira)

Event Sponsors:
Gemini Energy LLC ( S D T Prasad (CEO) Courtesy: Merita Pinto)
Zahrath Al Rowda (Raphael Quardros) Rudolf & Reeda, Nichole & Andrea, Vaz family (Courtesy: Jessie Vivian Pereira)

Support Sponsors:
PINTO’S Chinese Food (Henry Pinto (MD)
New City Opticals (James Noronha & Family)
Malabar gold and Al Saheen Bakery, (courtesy: Philomena Mendonca)
Harikumar Pillai (Mai Dubai Water) courtesy :Silvia Dias, Thomas & Aslita,
Aphime Marshel Fernandes (courtesy: Vikas Fernandes),
Wilson D’souza (courtesy: Philomena Mendonca)
Arun & Lucy D’souza (courtesy: Philomena Mendonca)
Robert & Meera Saldana (courtesy: Philomena Mendonca)
Thomas Pinto & fly
Diana Sharon Alva

Event Supporters:
DJ: Loveline Rego,
MC: Joel Mendonca,
Photography: Joachim DSouza,
Banner design and Power Point Presentation: Ajay DSouza,
Certificate design by Syed Samiullah, The Corporate.com, Mitan Trading.
Event Volunteers: Rajesh Mascarenhas, Francis Dsouza, Paul D’souza, Sunil D’souza, Rolfe, Davies, Anitha Danthi, Janet Rodrigues.

MCCP Oman wished all community member’s families, friends and everyone across the globe a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2023.