Media Release
Dubai, Oct 14: Jesus Mary Joseph (JMJ), hailed as the largest Konkani prayer group in UAE, based in St Mary’s Church here, celebrated their 14th anniversary with variety of entertainment programmes and fellowship at the Bishop Bernard Gremoli (Main hall) of St Mary’s Church on October 11.
The event was initiated with an introduction of the occasion by the versatile emcee Vernon D’Souza. Thereafter, JMJ’s coordinator Lavina Dsouza escorted the distinguished guests of the evening - JMJ Group’s spiritual director Fr Denis Saldanha, St Mary’s Mangalorean community coordinator Diany Dsouza and JMJ advisor Jerina Lewis to the stage.
Lavina Dsouza rendered a heart-warming welcome speech and all the guests were honoured with flower bouquets by JMJ Core team members. Fr Denis in his brief message appreciated the prayer group’s efforts in bringing goodness to the people and encouraged people to attend such gathering to increase spirituality. JMJ core member Clement Cardoza presented annual report which gave the insight of the group’s purpose and achievements. Roshan Rasquinha thanks all the people those supported this event with his gratifying vote of thanks. Ex-Core members of JMJ, Josly Pinto, Francis Menezes and Prem Fernandes who stepped down this year were honoured with mementos by Fr Denis Saldanha for their selfless service to the JMJ Prayer Group.
The much-awaited cultural programme was comprised of dazzling dances, hilarious skits, melodious singing and many coupons draw. Program initiated with a beautiful welcome dance by JMJ young members Lavita Crasta, Jenisha Mathias, Crystal Nazereth & Nicole Nazereth. Team members of well-established groups ‘Konkan Taram’ and ‘Sangon Mugdana Kalakar‘entertained the crowd by fabulously acting out Konkani comedy skits. Scintillating dances were performed by talented children of Arun’s Feat Beat and Ocean Kids groups. Show stopper of the event was a beautiful Konkani song by JMJ’s little children Anor Mendonca, Jenisha Mathias and Sheldon DCosta, which was appreciated a lot by the audience. Along with all the performers, focal contributors of event, Vernon Dsouza for Emcee, Pramod for photography, Simon for lighting System and Shavin for music/DJ were honoured.
Mangalureans’ favourite baila was played by DJ Shavin before concluding the event. A delicious dinner by Canara Restaurant owned by Leo D’Souza was served to over 600 people.
Like every year, JMJ Konkani prayer group continues to organize various programmes with great zeal and enthusiasm by arranging grand cultural programmes and fellowship to its members, thus providing them memorable events along with every week’s spiritual activities.
JMJ prayer group encourages Konkani speaking people residing in Dubai and in various camps to lead active Christian life, by providing free transport to attend weekly obligatory mass on Fridays in the evenings and thereafter to the prayers in the main hall. During every Friday prayer gatherings, adoration and charismatic prayer service in Konkani are being held in the church BBM (Main) hall from 7.30 to 8.30 pm.