Report : Celine D Souza
Photos : Dilip Correa and Arun Jivraj Lobo
Muscat, Apr 8 : To invoke solemnity and rejuvenation during this Lenten season, the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) along with the Goan community of Ruwi (GCO), Muscat presented a “Spiritual Day” for the Konkani speaking parishioners of Ruwi and Ghala churches on Friday 4th April, 2014 at the main parish hall.
The Konkani speaking parishioners gathered in the main hall of Ruwi Church to weave moments of spiritual awareness and experience divine touch of Heavenly Father.
The day began with praise and worshipping Lord for his mighty deeds. Members from both the communities collectively enacted the Way of the Cross and depicted Jesus’ trials in his last hours, He being flogged and mocked by his soldiers, which included his afflictions, his road of sorrow while carrying the cross and his final crucifixion signifying a vivid crucifixion scene at Golgotha bringing tears in the audience and creating an ambience of divinity.
Fr. Wilson Rumao OFM Cap, Asst. Parish Priest of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and spiritual director of the Konkani Community in Muscat gave the gathering a spiritual talk on transforming oneself and listening to the inner voice rather than doing it externally and called all to set aside time for conversion and renewal during this season of lent. He stressed on individuals to abstain from criticism or passing comments on others and to be in deeper communion with the love of God. These were indeed beautiful ways to observe the Lenten season.
The overall message conveyed was: Daily life offers countless opportunities to oneself for encouraging others, giving a word of praise to the anxious people, showing kindness, being pious or offering a word of thanks. This will nourish all on our journey of life in this Lenten season.
An hour of confession mainly for workers of love was arranged by all the priests while a CD on ‘Jivitchem Jivit To’ was screened depicting trials and tribulations.
The program concluded with a mass in Konkani with everybody partaking in a simple meal.
Among others, the following were instrumental in the success of this event:
Walter Mendonca, Samuel Alphonsa, Jacintha Serrao, Sean Fernandes, Julius Fernandes, Asha Noronha, Gayle Araujo, Philomena Saldanha, Melisa Goes, Flavia D’souza, Griselda Araujo, Peter Serrao, Lynel Lobo, Dean D’souza, Ryan Fernandes, Alwin Pinto and Francisca D’souza
Music for enacting the way of the cross was by:
Apolinaris D’souza and Savio D’souza
The following have assisted in making this day’s program fruitful:
Clifford Castelino, Clifford Alphonsa, Sara Fernandes, Sunil D’souza, Cynthia Dias, Cynatra Alphonsa, Naveen Sequeira, Jerald Barboza, Loveline Rego, Wilson Lobo and Nixon Lobo
The main sponsor who supported MCCP for this day was Leo Quadros, Chairman and managing director of Regency Developers Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore and Addhia Trading and Contracting LLC – Oman, .