Media Release
New Jersey, Dec 23: The Mangalorean Catholic Association-East Coast, USA (MCA-EC) celebrated their annual Christmas Gala on Saturday December 21 at Clarion Inn Ballroom in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Over 425 people from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Connecticut areas gathered together in this celebration.
MC's DJ Brian and Michelle D'Souza kept everyone entertained throughout the night with their one liners and giving away spot prizes.
With sentiments of profound gratitude to God the association's spiritual director Fr Augustine Claude addressed the gathering with a message praying to Christ during Christmas. MCA-EC president Arun Menezes presided over the event welcoming all attendees, participants, volunteers and was humble in thanking the MCA-EC board and his team consisting of Eric Fernandes (VP finance), Neeta Mascharenhas (VP membership), Michelle D'souza (VP programs), Roshan D'Mello (VP- public relations) and Diana Lewis (Newsletter editor-in-chief) for their efforts into organizing this event.
The evening started off with some amazing carol singing by various kids and adults of MCA-EC "Vados" consisting of several families living in close proximity just like around a parish in Mangalore headed by a Gurkar or Gurkarn. These families within a Vado help each other in times of need and get together at local events. The MCA-EC board thanked all Vadyaagars and their leaders: Gurkarns/Gurkarns Sujatha Pereira and Paul Quadros of NY-Kursa Vado; Charles Rodrigues and Philip Colaco of Long Island, St Joseph's Vado; Anita Pinto and Melvin Mendonca of New Jersey- Moriyee Vado; Jaison Banji of New Jersey- Fatima Vado and Dilip Lewis from the newly Pennsylvania-Delaware Vado.
Mr and Mrs Santa marched with the kids and handed out goodies to all the kids. Several families with children had their family pictures clicked with Santa.Live Band PRISM rocked the evening with some scintillating performance that kept all the guests on the dance floor with some foot tapping music. Party Zenith put up a beautiful backdrop and they did a splendid job decorating winter wonderland. Luke Menezes and Tony Serravo did an beautiful crib to set the Christmas theme.
The MCA-EC board unveiled its first souvenir with all sponsors' message to the association. Roshan D'Mello (VP - public relations) thanked everyone for their efforts in putting up a fabulous event during the vote of thanks humbly thanking all carol participants, volunteers, attendees and sponsors like Kwik Mortgage (Punit Shah) and Mark Realty (Simi D'Souza) Bobco Foods (Bob and Olivia), Atlanatic Subsea (Vinod Menezes), Deen Fashions, SKS Builders - Mangalore, DTDC (Harry Pinto), Anonymous sponsor of Divine Retreat, Wells Fargo (Manoj Hanchate), Anthony D'Silva-Tony, Live band PRISM (DJ Brian), Brandon Consulting (Carmeline Baretto), JDInfolabs (Arun Menezes), Kursa Vado (Group contribution), Roshan DMello (personal contribution), Eric Fernandes (personal contribution), Michelle D'Souza (personal contribution), Moriyee Vado (group contribution), Marian Projects M'lore (Renita D'cunha), Party Zenith - (Bernie and Arine), Saritha Pinto, DJ Richie, Groovin' Galaxzee (Gladson Cardoza), Jasmine and Merwyn D'Souza (PA), Ashok Mathias, Alban Miranda, Jovita Crasta,Rohan Corporation - Mangalore and Manoj Mascarenhas.
The MCA-EC board wishes all its families, friends and other organizations across the globe a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!