Media Release
Sharjah, Apr 15: On Thursday, April 11, the vibrant Mangalorean Konkani community of St Michael's Church in Sharjah gathered for a memorable fellowship picnic at Sharjah National Park. The event, blessed with delightful weather, provided the perfect setting for a day of outdoor community engagement.
With an impressive turnout of approximately 600 attendees, spanning across adults, children, and senior citizens, the picnic promised and delivered a day filled with fun, entertainment, and meaningful connections.
The gathering began with the blessing implored upon the people by our spiritual director, Fr Denis Saldanha. In his message to the gathering, Fr Saldanha quoted Psalm 118:24 'This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it'. He explained the relevance of this psalm emphasizing the importance of being together, using the God given talents and rejoicing in the fellowship. To facilitate the participation of the people the attendees were divided into two distinct groups: children and adults. Further segmentation within the children's group included ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. The adults were organized into eight teams, each distinguished by colored ribbons for easy identification and team spirit.
Participants enthusiastically engaged in a variety of entertaining games, including cup-passing through balloons, lava walks, hula hoops, human wheel races, fancy dress, egg-hunting, relay races, and land and water. A quiz added an educational element to the day, providing a platform to test knowledge and foster learning. Additionally, a singing competition showcased talents and creativity among the teams, with criteria focusing on creativity, entertainment value, and different languages.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the tug-of-war, drawing cheers and excitement from all attendees. The day's culinary delights, including delicious breakfast, lunch, and snacks from Udupi Restaurant, added to the overall enjoyment.
Alwyn Coutinho, the SMMKC core committee coordinator, took the opportunity to congratulate the winning teams and distribute prizes, acknowledging their efforts and contributions to the day's success. The event was skilfully hosted by the dynamic MC Roshan Dsilva, who ensured a lively ambiance throughout the day, promising an unforgettable experience for all.
The joy-filled gathering had engaging games for both children and adults, along with surprises and gifts, was a testament to the strong sense of community within the St Michael's Mangalorean Konkani Fellowship. The SMMKC core committee members and volunteers joined hands by conducting fun-filled games to bring smiles to the faces of the St Michael's Mangalorean Konkani Community. Their hard work paid off, as this was a very successful event. The core committee, volunteers, and organizers expressed immense pride in hosting such a successful and joyous event, marking it as a memorable highlight in the community calendar.