News: Ophelia Lazarus

Pics: Joachim D'Souza

Muscat, Apr 17: The Mangalurean community of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ghala, Oman took up a commendable initiative to present the entire Passion of Christ for the benefit of all the faithful of the parish during this season of Lent on April 12.

The passion, which includes all the fourteen Stations of the Cross, was enacted in English by the members of the Mangalurean community to bring the parishioners closer to God.The timing of the enactment was so apt with the parishioners just celebrating the service of Palm Sunday and the solemnity of Holy Week already in the air.The event started with Nirmala Goveas welcoming the packed audience with a brief introduction and prayer by the parish priest Fr George Vadukkut.

The journey of Jesus right from the Garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary was flawlessly executed by the cast and was well accepted by the audience who were touched by the performance as they were given a deeper insight into the spirit of Lent. The performance of the cast was so realistic that the audience felt they were physically present during Our Lord’s suffering and death on the cross. Many in the audience were in tears watching Jesus suffer and could feel his pain.The stage setting, the sound and lighting, the coordination of the cast and crew, and the narrations were carried out with such perfection that the audience were held spellbound and in awe. As each station was enacted, the intensity of the act kept the audience glued to the stage till it culminated with Jesus being buried in the tomb. The hard work put in by all concerned were lauded by the parishioners of all communities.

The Passion of Christ was conceptualized by Joel D’Souza and assisted by Nirmala Goveas. It was directed by Helen Sequeira and Naveen Mathias. The multi-talented Jason Cardoza played the role of Jesus with panache to touch the hearts of people. He was ably supported by Meera Saldanha (Mother Mary), Terence Vinod D’Souza (The Centurion), Teril Saldanha (Pilot), Alwin Fernandes (John the Apostle), John Secundas (Peter the Apostle), Evjeen Sequeira (James the Apostle), Sunita Furtado (Mary Magdalene), Aslita D’Souza (Mary of Clopas), Reema D’Almeida (Veronica), Lawrence D’Souza (Judas), Roshan Saldanha (High Priest), Noel D’Souza (Assistant High Priest), Steve D’Souza Soldier – 1), Craig Lazarus (Soldier – 2), Francis D’Souza (Soldier – 3), Prakash D’Sa (Simon of Cyrene), Sunil D’Souza (Joseph of Arimathea), Sebastian D’Souza (Nicodemas), Arun D’Souza (Pilot’s guard), Johan Furtado (Water Boy), Joice Gonsalves, Vinutha D’Silva, Leena Lobo, Philomena Mendonca, Vinita D’Souza, Veena Paes, Zephan Furtado, Alton D’Souza and Alora D’Souza (Wailing Women and Children of Jerusalem) and Roney Lobo, Joseph D’Souza and Dalton Pasanha (Jewish people).

The narrators for the enactment were Ophelia Lazarus, John Gonsalves, Prem Colacoand Nirmala Goveas. Costume and Make-up was done by Leena Baretto, Edline Rosario, Josephine, Prashant Rosario. Sound and light by Richard and team of M/s Talentz, Music byDarryl Mascarenhas, Background music by Floyd D’Mello, Backdrops by Neil Menezes, PowerPoint presentation by Shannon D’Souza, Sound system coordination by Ajay Barboza, Photography by Joachim D’Souza and Videography by Ishmail Fernandes.

Snacks were provided by Randolph Mendonca and M/s PRAN Foods Oman provided Juice for the entire congregation. Volunteers were Michael Goveas, Praveen Serra, Robert Saldanha, Abhilash and Tina Saldanha.

Sunil Furtado, president of the Mangalorean Community of Ghala Parish rendered the vote of thanks wherein he thanked Fr George for giving the Mangalorean community the opportunity to showcase the enactment of the Passion of Christ to the parishioners. He thanked the parishioners for coming in large numbers to witness the enactment and waiting right till the end. He thanked the entire cast and crew for working hard for the past one and half months to showcase a meaningful and touching act for the benefit of all.

The programme concluded by Fr George, parish priest, Ghala, and Fr Marian Miranda, spiritual director for the Mangalurean community appreciating the efforts of the Mangalurean community in making this programme a spiritually enlightening and deeply imprinting one.