Udupi: St. Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) along with Catholic Sabha had organised the Grand Konkan Showers 2017-268th Wilfy Nite at St Francis Xavier’s English Medium School Ground Melpete, Udyavar here on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
More than 8,000 people witnessed the Wilfy Nite which was full of entertainment with music, dance and comic interludes by Dolla and anchor Leslie Rego.
The programme began with an invocation by the Udyavara parishioners. Most Rev Dr. (Fr) Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese presided over the formal stage programme. Bishop appreciated SMKC Dubai for its valuable services to the needy. He also lauded SMKC for assisting Udupi Diocese in its projects and thanked the SMKC president, office bearers and members for the event.
Fr. Gerald also remembered the legendary late Wilfy Rebimbus and expressed joy over his family as well as members of the troupe for keeping Wilfy alive through his music. He also thanked Leslie Rego for the successful conduction of this mega event in Udupi to support the diocese.
He remembered Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh lead by Fr. Valerian Mendonca and Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr. Roque D’Souza, parish pastoral council members and the parishioners for their contribution to the event.
The bishop released the audio CD of well known Konkani Singer Prem Kumar Lobo “Premal Jhelo” on the occasion. The proceeds from the sale of the audio CD will go towards Snehalaya Charitable Trust.
Meanwhile, cheques of Rs 10 Lakh by SMKC Dubai and Rs. 5 Lakh by Fr. Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest of Udyavar Church and the parishioners were presented towards welfare works of the diocese. The Catholic Sabha, Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi alone collected Rs. 8,67,000 towards the diocesan projects.
In his address, Valerian Fernandes , President of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh said that around Rs. 60 Lakh had been generated till now and the aim was to exceed Rs. 70 Lakh mark at the earliest.
Valentine D’Souza, ACP Mangaluru; Joe Fernandes, President of SMKC, Dubai; Noel Mascarenhas, Founder President, SMKC; Jennifer Mascranhas, former president of SMKC; Frenny Fernandes, former Secretary; Paul Colaco, Vice President; Meena Rebimbus, Urban Sequeira, Ivan D’Souza, SMKC committee members; Msgr Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Diocese of Udupi; Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Convener; Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa, Co convener; Rev Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh; Rev Fr. Cymprian Peter D’Souza, Founder Spiritual Director of SMKC Dubai and others were present on the dais.
Earlier Joe Fernandes, President of SMKC, Dubai delivered the keynote address and welcomed the gathering. Dr Vincent Alva, Professor of Milagres College compered the formal stage programme while Fr Valerian Mendonca proposed the vote of thanks.
