THE GOAN NETWORK | DOHA
The Konkani Speaking Community of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Qatar, organised the feast of St Anthony for the first time on June 16, which was followed by a cultural programme and felicitation of students of Grades 10 and 12.
Assistant Parish Priest and Spiritual Director of the Konkani Speaking Community Fr Nelson Lobo was the main celebrant for the Feast Mass and he is much respected not only by Goans in Qatar and the Konkani Speaking Community, but also by other communities for his inspiring homilies. It also was the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Thirty students from the Konkani-speaking community-based in Qatar who excelled in Grades 10 and Grade 12 were felicitated at the event.
The cultural programme started with a performance by the Mangaloreans who performed a couple of duets, a group song and a solo song, all written by the great Mangalorean artist Wilfy Rebimbus, which set the crowd to sing and dance along with the singers and which were well received by the packed audience.
“Sant Anton Bapa” singers were from St Cecilias Mangalorean Konkani Choir Group, with Kirthan Rodrigues on the keyboard.
“Uzwad Chondremacho” was rendered by Christle Pinto and Arvin Pais, Singers Carol D’Souza and Jeevan Ferrao sung “Margai”, and singer Anjali Andrade Pinto rendered “Ghova Ghova”.
The cultural programme ended with a 30-minute medley of Mando, Dulpod and Dekhni by Goan artistes, followed by Goan songs of yesteryears for listening pleasure during dinner.
The whole programme was compered by Rosario D'Cunha, Vice President of the Konkani Speaking Community.
The Goan singers, actors and musicians who took part in the cultural programme included Steve Fernandes, Andrew Fernandes, Zethan Rodrigues, Martin Mascarenhas, Elias Alvares, Waldron Mendes, Vicente D’Costa, John De Sa, Avon Colaco, Flossie Fernandes, Sharmila Fernandes, Perpetua Pereira, Jesica Fernandes, Molicia Pereira, Tania Rodrigues, Christine D’Cunha, Evana Colaco, Zoay Vales, Maryam Sequeira, Atilia D’costa, Jaydon Carrasco, Claire Viegas, Wilroy Mendes, Jessica Cardoso, Viola Pereira, Figo Rodrigues and Perpetual Lobo.
Earlier in January, the feast of St Joseph Vaz, was also celebrated for the first time in Qatar by the Konkani Speaking Community of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Qatar.
Eighteen people from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai were felicitated during the Feast Day of St Joseph Vaz for rendering over 40 years of service in Qatar.
Those felicitated by Fr Nelson Lobo included Sancho Fernandes, Michael Mascarenhas, Agnelo Paul D'Souza, Rosario Fernandes, Jose Rosario (Reggie), Ambrosio Dias, Domnic Albert D'Souza, Rocky Fernandes, Filomeno Alves, Simon Fausta Vaz, Gregory Diego Lobo, Robert David D'Souza, Arthur Mendonca, Eugenie Mendonca, Caetano Francisco Fernandes, May Pinto, George Fernades and Jackson Harold.
