Report: Dolphie Byndoor
Pics: Lawrence Fernandes
Kundapur, Jan 10: The Byndoor Catholic Association (BCA), respected as the first and senior-most parish-level Konkani community association in the UAE, celebrated its silver jubilee recently in front of a large home crowd at Holy Cross Church Byndoor with fun, entertainment and festive fervour.
Celebrations started at 8 am with a thanksgiving mass offered by BCA with Fr Arthur Pereira as the main celebrant of the mass and Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr Peter Rebello and parish priest Fr Ronald Miranda as concelebrants. BCA members beautifully conducted the liturgy and led the choir with meaningful hymns.
After the mass, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves hoisted the BCA flag and congratulated senior and current members of BCA on their unity and silver jubilee celebrations. To spread the sweetness and happiness of BCA a large and beautifully designed cake was cut by Fr Ferdinand in the company of Fr Arthur Pereira, Fr Peter Rebello, Fr Ronald Miranda and BCA president Ashok Dias and secretary Miller Rodrigues. Mouthwatering delicious breakfast was served to all the parishioners. The entire morning event was beautifully compered by Rony Byndoor.
The entertainment programme started at 6:30 pm with a prayer dance by the children of Holy Cross Convent, followed by a welcome song by BCA members.
A formal stage function was also organized on the occasion with Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves as the chief guest, together with parish priest Fr Ronald Miranda, Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld, Gopal Poojary, MLA of Byndoor, Raju Poojary, former president of Udupi zilla panchayat, renowned Konkani theatre artiste Francis Fernandes Cascia, BCA founder president Francis Machado, Byndoor Church parish council vice-president Robert Rebello, BCA president Ashok Dias and BCA secretary Miller Rodrigues. All were welcomed to the dais with bouquets.
BCA president Ashok Dias formally welcomed the gathering and the dignitaries on the stage. BCA secretary Miller Rodrigues read out the flashback report of BCA. MLA Gopal Poojary and Raju Poojary were felicitated with bouquets, shawls and Fruits. Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike was honoured with a bouquet, shawl, citation and memento for his yeomen service to the society. The huge gathering gave a standing ovation to Walter Nandalike.
In his address, Walter lauded the efforts of BCA in the UAE from the past two-and-a-half decades. Being closely involved with the activities of BCA from a decade, he appreciated the large-heartedness of BCA members in helping the needy people of not only Byndoor parish but those of other parishes too. He also lauded the efforts of the parish priest in successfully claiming government grants which most religious leaders were not aware of.
To preserve the sweet memories of the silver jubilee celebrations of BCA, a souvenir was released by Francis Fernandes Cascia. In his speech sprinkled with humour, he recollected his childhood memories associated with Byndoor parish, his 'Mhataro Chorbela' drama experience and also lauded the BCA for its concern towards society back home. He was honoured by Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves with a bouquet, and shawl by Fr Ronald Miranda.
Son of the soil Fr Peter Rebello, who is offering his missionary service in Africa, honoured the sponsors with mementos for their large-hearted support to BCA. Noted keyboard player and young sensation Goldina D'Souza along with her parents Eric and Gretta D’souza were felicitated by Fr Ronald Miranda and thanked for their continuous support. Rony Byndoorbeautifully compered the stage programme.
A variety of cultural programmes by BCA members enthralled the gathering. Rony Byndoor, one of the most popular singers in UAE, along with Miller Rodrigues, Gretta D’Souza and Jessy Nazareth rendered their melodious voices to evergreen hits of Konkani. Popular Konkani writer Ashok Dias and his team Wilfred Nazareth performed rib-tickling skits which had the audience in roars of laughter throughout. Young sensation Goldina D'Souza provided the background music with Silver Tone Music Group for the entire programme. Towards the end, a small Konkani drama ‘Amorecha Vellar’ written and directed by Ashok Dias was successfully staged by BCA members.
The grand evening concluded with a vote of thanks by BCA secretary Miller Rodrgiues. BCA treasurer Dolphie Nazareth compered the programme.