Report by Clarence Pinto – Muscat
Photos: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat (GA)
Muscat, Dec 15: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) organized an enjoyable Christmas party for its members’ children on Thursday December 11, 2008 at the main parish hall of Ruwi Church. It was planned, formulated and organized by the youth of MCCP. The theme of the celebrations was – Essence of Christmas: Love, Peace and Sharing and whole programme was based on this theme.
The venue was beautifully decorated by Lancy Sequeira, Asha Noronha and Alex Aranha with Christmas Tree, balloons, colourful ribbons and Crib. At 8.00 pm sharp, the party began with a welcome address by two young and energetic comperes of the community, Lanston Pinto and Karen Rego. Fr Albert D’Silva, OFM Cap, spiritual advisor of MCCP offered prayers invoking heaven’s choicest blessings on each and everyone attended. Cake cutting ceremony was carried out by Fr Albert D Silva along with Clarence Pinto, current president of MCCP, Victoria Soares, general secretary, Alex Aranha, internal auditor, Donald Fernandes, sports secretary, Hazel Dias and Sunil Prakash Mascarenhas, cultural secretaries, Hilda Fernandes, spiritual secretary and Hubert D’Souza, community services secretary.
Four groups were formed among the participating children and named as Silver Bells, Shining Stars, Mistle Toes and Candy Canes. They were given different coloured ribbons to identify their groups. The entire function was filled with various entertaining games like passing the santa, searching the alphabets and forming the names, decorating the Christmas Tree. Interesting spot games were conducted and attractive prizes were presented to the winners.
MCCP youth under the leadership of Lanisha Sequeira, Kimberly Dias and Ashwini Aranha presented carols to bring the real Christmas mood into the celebrations. The singers of the choir team were Meval Dantis, Rhea Fernandes, Kimberly Dias, Amanda Lobo, Josil, Jayal, Ashwini Aranha, Denzil Saldanha, Lanston Pinto, Giselle Fernandes, Cheryl Fernandes, Larissa Rego, Adriana Noronha and Lanisha Sequeira. Meval Dantis offered music for the carols. The arrival of Santa enacted by Melwyn Nazareth delighted the children.
Christmas cake and snack packets were distributed to all the children and they were also given goody bags.
Cheryl Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.
The youth team of the community consisting of Reuben Castelino, Cheryl Fernandes, Karen Rego, Lanisha Sequeira, Josma Rodrigues, Ashwini Aranha, Lanstan Pinto, Aubrey Mendonca, Praful Serrao, Rhea Fernandes, Amanda Lobo and Meval Dantis had planned the complete program. Lancy Sequeira and Asha Noronha had offered their great assistance in decorating the hall, stage and control of the event.
The sponsors of the event were Inchcape Shipping Services & Co. LLC., Ahmed Said Trading, Al Anba Trading, Valerian Dantis, Brinston Noronha - Al Mudhish Chips, Jawahar Pinto, Sylvester Alva and Muscat Pharmacy.
Omantel is the main sponsor for all MCCP Annual events of 2008 –2009.