Abu Dhabi: The Konkan community of St. Paul’s Catholic Church Mussafah, Abu Dhabi celebrated their Third Anniversary with a great fervour on July 13. The celebration began with the Holy Mass at 6 pm and the main celebrant for the mass was Rev. Fr. Wilson Rumao, Spiritual Director, St. Paul’s Konkani Community, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. A large number of faithful, over 500, attended the 3rd-anniversary thanksgiving Mass.
The cultural programme started immediately after the Holy Mass. Suresh Saldanha anchored the program that began with prayer dance Saglya Srastechya Yeh Raschnara (Oh! Creator of the Universe) performed by Stacy, Sianna, Deona and Serra.
The main coordinator of the community, John D’Lima welcomed the priests, Rev. Fr. Varghese OFM Cap, Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Abraham OFM Cap, Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Wilson Rumao OFM Cap Assistant Parish Priest and Spiritual Director of Konkani Community of St. Paul’s Church Musaffah and guest of honors Robert D’Souza, Noel D’Costa and Flavia Crasta for felicitation. Flower bouquets were given to them as a token of love and gratitude for their wholehearted support to the community.
Immediately after the felicitation, M.C. requested all Priests and Guests of Honour for Lighting of the lamp along with Apex Team Coordinator. A special Anniversary cake was cut in commemoration of this event. M.C. called on to stage members of audiences who celebrate their birthdays/anniversaries during the month of July.
John D’Lima presented the annual report highlighting all activities that have taken place during the past year.
It was a very proud moment for all the members of Konkani community at Mussafah to felicitate 3 of their Parish children who have passed 10th and 12th-grade exams with a certificate and gift as a token of love and appreciation. The recipients of these felicitations are Abigael Fabia Sequeira- SSCE, Chrizel Shirley D‘Souza –SSCE and Shalet Pinto- PUC. Konkani community also felicitated Mervin Lobo and Jennifer Gomes for training the children and for the choreography of the cultural activities as a token of love and appreciation.
The anniversary theme song written by Suresh Saldanha and composed by Ashwin Dias was performed.
The Musaffah Kids performed a scintillating dance performance titled Rail Gaadi. This dance was performed by Deana, Serra, Stacy, Natasha, Sianna, Cleon, Ethan, Natan and Justin. The next dance was performed by Savio and Merlyn and Marvin and Jasmine titled Yego Tu Yego Mogache Toofan utovnk Yego. The audience started grooving to the music.
The day’s final cultural programme was a dance from Mervin Lobo and Melissa Monteiro. There were many spot prizes for Children, Men, Women and for all were distributed in between the programme and M.C. kept the crowd very humorous with his witty jokes.
Apex team Liturgy Coordinator Robert Cardin thanked all people for their continued support and also appealed the same for their future events. He thanked Fr. Wilson Rumao for organizing second Konkani Mass at the Musaffah Church which the people were longing to have for a long time.
The gathering also danced to the popular Baila music. The program ended with singing Laudate Dominum. It was a memorable evening enjoyed and cherished by all.
