Report : Clarence Pinto
Pics : Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Jun 7: John Francis Gonsalves, highly regarded as a talented and wise leader of the Mangalurean community in Muscat, has been selected as the new president of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) to lead the community in the 24th year of its operations.
The process of selection was held during the 23rd Annual Day celebrations of MCCP under the guidance of the MCCP spiritual advisor Fr Wilson Romao and in presence of the core team members Stanley T H Fernandes, Henry Martis, Donald Pinto and Clarence Pinto (core team member Suraj Rebello was absent).
The entire Annual Day programme was beautifully organized with meticulous planning and loads of entertainment by Prescilla Menezes, MCCP president and her Team 23 on Friday June 5 at the main parish hall of Sts Peter and Paul Church - Ruwi.
John, a soft spoken and humble individual yet brilliant with remarkable organizing capabilities and innovative leadership qualities, hails from St Peter’s Church – Barkur, Karnataka. Since 1989 he has been working for Shanfari Group of Companies, Muscat and is currently in the position of senior finance head. In India, he was an active participant in various activities in church, colleges and in social circles, taking prominent roles in associations such as CYM, St Peter's Association (Mumbai) and other organizations. He has great love and respect towards Konkani culture, tradition, language and music.
John was the president of the Mangalorean Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit Church - Ghala from the year 2011 to 2013 and the executive member of the parish council. A member of MCCP since its inception, John was in the executive committee as honorary treasurer for the year 2013-14, and also was an executive member of the steering committee for organizing the Gulf Voice of Mangalore held in Muscat last year. Joyce, John’s wife, also an ardent supporter of Konkani culture, has been an inspiration to John in his achievements. They are blessed with two wonderful children, Joylin and Jeston.
“It is a great honor for me to take the leadership of MCCP, a great organization for Mangalurean Catholics in Muscat. I would like to see maximum number of Mangalureans come together on MCCP platform to build a stronger community and take forward our culture and its values to the future generations. I will certainly work hard with my new Team 24 to take this organization to new heights and fame," said a jubilant John Gonsalves.
The Annual Day programme commenced at 7 am with an offering of thanksgiving high mass by Fr Wilson Romao. The Mangalurean choir under the leadership of maestro choir leader Apolinaris D'Souza presented many brilliant hymns. The members of the choir team were Philomena Saldhana, Dilip Correa, Loveline Rego, Stany Menezes, Florine D'Souza, Phiyola, Relitsa Correa, Caroline, Megan, Tiana Pinto, Pearl Menezes, Joel Lobo, Janice, Roshwal Floyd, Christine, Clive Danti, Lester, Lovette Rego and Lanett Rego with Lanston Pinto and Ashwitha Aranha on keyboard.
The cultural programme started at 10 am in the main parish of Sts Peter and Paul Church with a presentation of 'Parameshwara', a legendary MCCP anthem created by Oswald D'Souza and Walter Monterio by the Konkani choir, followed by a prayer offered by Fr Wilson Rumao, spiritual advisor of MCCP.
Young and talented anchor Praveen Serra, Niddodi and gifted comedian Peter Prakash Fernandes led the whole programme with efficiency, creating a magical atmosphere of humour. Praveen exhibited his special talent of presenting the programme with a fluency of Konkani and Peter was spontaneous and plain spoken, generating rib-tickling humour.
Edward Mendonca, vice-president, sports and finance committees presented a welcome address which was followed by scintillating dance by MCCP Cubs - The Rising Stars and participants were Allen Menezes, Alviya Menezes, Andril Lobo, Anisha D’Costa, Calida Machado, Calvin Machado, Christine Danthi, Glen Menezes, Grace Menezes, Harlene Pinto, Lael Alva, Lanette Rego, Leanne Alva, Lovette Rego, Melanie D’Cruz, Nathan D’souza, Neil Castelino, Nihal Noronha, Nikhil Noronha, Reia Correa, Rochelle Correa, Shane Menezes, Shelton Sequira, Shaun Menezes. The dance was brilliantly choreographed by Dynet Fernandes and Jayal Tharakan
Shyla Machado, MCCP general secretary of 23rd year presented the annual report of MCCP for the year 2014 – 2015, which was followed by a Konkani skit titled Pottu Bhondook by Lynel Lobo, Rolson D'Souza, Jason Cardoza and Shailesh.
President Prescilla Menezes in her emotional presidential address thanked everyone who supported MCCP in the 23rd year of operation. Fr Wilson Rumao and Prescilla Menezes honoured the youths of the community who had offered outstanding contribution. They were Shanon D'Souza for multimedia presentations, Lanston Pinto - music companiment, Lin Pinto - media news support, Dynett Fremcitha Fernandes - cultural event support, Jayal Tharakan - cultural event support, Peter Prakash Fernandes - cultural event support, Jason Cardoza - music management and event support, Melanie Crasta - video and media support and Stephen - media and event support.
Fr Wilson Rumao honoured and thanked the outgoing executive committee members.They were Prescilla Menezes, president, Edward Mendonca, vice-president, sports and finance, Mariete Fernandes, vice-president, cultural, spiritual and community services, Shyla Machado : General Secretary, Stephen Rodrigues : Honorary Treasurer, Ivan D'Souza, internal auditor, Lynel Lobo, sports secretary, Flavia Castelino, spiritual secretary and Neslin Moras, community services secretary.
As the part of entertainment, two enthralling fusion dances were presented - one by MCCP Leo – Tomorrow’s Youth consisting of Ashwitha Aranha, Gail Castelino, Lionel Vaz, Natasha Noronha, Pearl Menezes, Phiyola D’Souza, Rianna Lobo, Rishita Picardo, Rochelle Quadros, Sharon Menezes, Silvita Sequeira, Stacy Vaz, Tiana, Vanisha, and Veonna; and second by MCCP Youths with Dynet Fernandes, Jason Cardoza, Jayal Tharakan, Lynel Lobo, Preneta Monteiro, Shailesh Sequeira. Both dances were choreographed by Dynet Fernandes and Jayal Tharakan.
Under the leadership of the core team, the new team was formed. The members of the new executive committee are:
President : John F Gonsalves
Vice-president - Sports and finance : Ophelia Lazarus
Vice-president - Cultural, spiritual and community services: John Mathias
General secretary : Priya Menezes
Honorary treasurer : Sunil Furtado
Internal auditor : Sudhir K P
Sports secretary : Dr Joyson Prashanth Rodrigues
Cultural secretary : Anitha Lobo
Spiritual Secretary : Anitha Shalini Danthi
Community services secretary : Lancy Saldanha
Vote of thanks was proposed by Mariete Fernandes, vice-president, cultural, spiritual and community services. Housie-housie was conducted by Edward Mendonca and Neslin Moras and winners were Shalet Noronha, Ancilla D’souza, Celine D’Souza, Ida Pinto, Hanson D’Souza and Edwin Fernandes.
The outgoing EC team under the direction of Walter Mendonca and support by Sunil D Souza presented a humorous skit 'GoodBye 23'. Traditional tiger dance was presented as a final touch to the programme.
Sumptuous and traditional lumch was prepared by Al Arsalan Restaurant under the leadership of Alwyn Saldanha which was enjoyed by the audience
Main sponsors of the year:
1. Gerald D’Souza - Hi Tech Inspection Services
2. Balaji Srinivasan - Founder, CEO, managing director, Towell Group of Companies.
Annual Day sponsor : Shashidhar Shetty
Co-sponsors : Omantel (courtesy : Eula Pinto). Raphael Quadras – Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading Co LLC, Assarain Food Products (courtesy : Philip D Souza), Denis Mascarenhas – managing director - Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies LLC, Dilip Correa - managing director - Sky United Logistics, Vivin – Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Nikhil Kapoor - Overseas Projects and Equipment Co LLC, Laxmi Narayan – Orbital, Prasad – Gemini Trading, Travel Point LLC (courtesy : Astrin D'Silva), Al Hosni Group of Companies, Vincent and Prescilla Machado and family, Donald and Eula Pinto and family, Stanley and Winnifred Fernandes and family, Vivian and Jessy Pereira and family, Manjunath Nayak - Special Technical Services LLC, Moin Qureshi - Barik Group, Sunil Menezes and family, Wilson Aaron Lobo, Vincent Furtado and family, Herman Lobo, Sigiri Restaurant, Sanath Wijesoriya, Ibn Sina Pharmacy (courtesy Remy Lobo) and Oman Food Stuff – courtesy Brinston Noronha.