Muscat: MCCP 20th Year Celebrations Off to Glorious Start
Report: Clarence Pinto
Pics: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Aug 20: It was a grand commencement of the glorious 20th year celebrations of a great Konkani organization in Oman, the MCCP or Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi). From start to the end, each and every item of the programme was perfectly planned and presented to the audience; ultimately receiving tremendous applauds of appreciation and gratitude.
The MCCP staged a phenomenal programme under the able leadership of the new president, Stanley T H Fernandes and his new executive team of Eulalia Pinto, Lawrence Alva, Prescilla Menezes, Benedict Pereira, Wilson Mark D Souza, Ambrose Ivan Moras, Prem Colaco, Mariete Fernandes, Ophilia Lazarus, thus entering the 20th year of splendid presence in Oman in style and grandeur. The tremendous efforts by each member of the new executive committee and their supporters were clearly visible throughout the spiritual Holy Mass and enthralling entertaining programme.
First and foremost, to seek the Heavenly Father’s choicest blessings on the forthcoming year and specially, thank Him for his graces during the past 19 years, a Holy Mass in Konkani was offered by Fr Albert D'Silva, OFM Cap at 10.30 am in the main parish hall. Apolinaris D Souza, one of the finest Konkani music composer, choir leader and singer, led the choir team to present many spirit filled and inspirational new hymns.
The choir was perfect blend of great voices of the community members and the participated singers were Victoria Soares, Dolphy Vaz, Nirmala Goveas, Anitha Lobo, Oswald D Souza, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Flavia D Souza, Reena Lobo, Valerian Peres, Freeda Soares, Lancy Sequeira, Jacintha Serrao, Jacintha Castelino and Philomena Saldhana. The music support was given by Larissa Rego, a young talent of the Mangalorean Community. The holy readings and announcements were presented by Stanley T H Fernandes, Eula Pinto, Benedict Pereira, Lawrence Alva, Wilson D’ Souza and Mariette Fernandes. The offertory procession was performed Mrs and Mr Denis Alva, Mrs and Mr Joseph Rodrigues, Mrs and Mr Cletus Tauro, Mrs and Mr Stany Menezes, Mrs and Mr Robert Vas and Mrs and Mr Stany Freeda Soares.
The cultural programme commenced at around noon with the presentation of legendary MCCP anthem ‘Parameshwara’ in the form of classical dance which was choreographed by Prescilla Menezes, an award winning dance performer of the community and trained classical dancer. It was presented by Shanon Simon D'souza, Shaina Simon D'Souza, Phiyola Celestin D'Souza, Vihan Pereira, Aldin Vivin D'Souza, Pearl Menezes, Adriana Clarissa Noronha, Marlin D'Cruz and Vivian Monis. The song was sung by well known singers of the community.
Clarence Pinto was the master of ceremony and introduced the following executive committee of the year 2011 - 2012 to the audience:
President Stanislaus Fernandes
Vice-president sports and finance Eulalia Pinto
Vice-president - cultural, spiritual and community services, Lawrence Alva
General secretary Prescilla Menezes
honourary rreasurer Benedict Pereira
Internal auditor Wilson Mark D Souza
Cultural secretary Ambrose Ivan Moras
Sports secretary Prem Colaco
Spiritual secretary Mariete P. N. Fernandes
Community services secretary Ophilia Lazarus
Fr Albert D Silva, parish priest of Holy Spirit Church Ghala and spiritual advisor of MCCP was the chief guest. Past president of MCCP Oswald Soares and vice-president of Pastoral Council of Sts. Peter and Paul Church - Ruwi, Glen Gonsalves were the guests of honour. They were honoured with bouquets.
The annual theme of the 20th year 'Together for stronger community' was launched with a new logo for the year. In his address Fr Albert D Silva expressed his joy of seeing the progress in MCCP and entering into a glorious celebrations of 20th year. Stanley Fernandes in his president’s address, expressed gratitude of his executive committee to all the supporters and well wishers. Stanley Fernandes presented floral bouquet to the sponsors of the program.
A ceremony to honour the meritorious students of the community was conducted by Prem Colaco and Lawrence Alva. The students of X standard were Kimberly Dias, Chrystle Mascarenhas, Shannon D Souza, Rachel Fernandes, Beverly Quadros, Anush Denzil Almeida, Gretel Misquith, Aubrey Mendonca, and 12th standard were Joylin Gonsalves, Tanya Pinto, Janice Vaz, Cheryl Fernandes and Karen Rego
Marie Fernandes representing Oman in the forthcoming World Scrabble Competition was honoured and felicitated by the community.
Cultural programmes began with a presentation of a brand new song composed by Apolinaris D Souza titled ‘Bindaas’ and sung by Oswald D Souza, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas and Reena Lobo.
Action replay of the songs of 90s, a medley dance titled Neson Kirgi Baazu which was choreographed Sonia D'Souza, known as the Saroj Khan of Muscat and presented by Alston Moras, Megan D'Souza, Shaina Rebello, Shawn D'Silva, Lenita Lobo, DAN Lobo, Ralitsa Correa Vijeth D Mello. Few years ago the same dance sequence was presented by the parents of the children who had presented the dance this day.
Young and talented kids of Ghala Parish, Chelsea D'Sa, Melina Goveas, Liza D'Sa, Rebecca Pinto, Meurel D'Souza and Stacy Vaz, presented a dance number Rabba Rabba. This enthralling dance was choreographed by Glenda Castelino, a talented choreographer of the Ghala parish.
Rib tickling comedy “Kistuchim Karbaram’ was then performed by Konkani Kalakars of Muscat - Lancy Kelarai, Deepak Bendur, Olwin Kokkada and Flavy Bajpe
New and multitalented choreographer of the Mangalorean Community, Zeena Lobo made a beautiful presentation of a dance number with her team having Hanson D'souza, Reshma De Souza, Clarence Lobo, Smitha Dias, Olvin Dias, Philomena Moras and Brian Monis
One more scintillating dance performance - Yea Nari Yea, by celebrated choreographer Sonia D Souza was performed by the teens of the community and they were Melanie Crasta, Dean D'souza, Caroline Dsouza, Saurav Rebello, Amanda Pinto, Marlin D Cruz, Bertyl Noronha and Shervin D'silva
Vote of thanks was proposed Ophilia Lazarus - Community Services Secretary thanking everyone who supported for the success of the event.
Sumptuous and traditional lunch with dukra maas (Pork Bafat) was prepared by Alwyn Saldhana of Al Arsalan Restaurant and enjoyed by everyone member. The lunch arrangements were supervised by Donald Pinto, past president of MCCP.
Before concluding the event, a bonanza was conducted Prem Colaco, Benedict Pereira and Eula Pinto.
The mega sponsors of the year were Bank Muscat SAOG and Ronald Colaco and family - Dubai. The main sponsors were Leo Quadros - Addhia Trading and Contracting Co LLC - Oman and Canterbury Castles - Bangalore, Omantel SAOG, Ligory D'Mello and Family - Technofit LLC, Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC, Clifford Sanctis and family - Hydrotec International Co LLC. The co-sponsors were National Bank of Oman, Denis Mascarenhas and fly - Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co LLC, Michael Pinto - Ideal Tailors LLC, James Mendonca and family - Dubai, Leo Rodrigues and family - Abu Dhabi and Daniel Fernandes and family.
The event sponsors were Bangalore International Placement Services, Omasco (Courtesy : Wilson Pinto), Khimji Furniture Mart (Courtesy : Henry Martis), Oman Construction Materials Co, Kuria Muria Trading Co, Haridas Jivraj and Co, Intisar Coorporation (All of these sponsors - courtesy Henry Rodrigues), Assarain Foods (Courtesy : Simon D'Souza), British Telecom (Courtesy : Unni); National Mineral Water (Courtesy : Philip Chacko and Tony Erickswamy), Oman Refreshment Co SAOG (Courtesy : John D Souza); Raphael Quadros - Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading; Glen Gonsalves and Alex Aranha.