By Lavina D’Sa
Muscat, Feb 10: On the bright sunny afternoon of Friday, 5th February, 2010 the Muscat United Pangalites reunited in the party hall of Queen’s Restaurant situated in Al-Khuwair city of Muscat to celebrate their patron St. John Evangelist’s feast.
The programme was conducted by Henry Martis, who introduced the theme of the day to the audience. Fr. Alban D’souza , Parish priest of St. Jude’s Shrine, Pakshikere who is on a visit for the Annual Konkani retreats in the Sultanate of Oman and originally hails from the Pangla Parish, was the chief guest of the function.
The programme began with a prayer by Fr. Alban D’souza pleading heavenly blessings on the program and the participants. Mr. Remy Lobo, current President of Muscat United Pangalites extended a warm and hearty welcome to the gathering. It was followed by Fr. Alban expressing his sincere gratitude towards his fellow Pangalites. In his address he also said that he was overwhelmed by the response to the religious retreats that was conducted all over Oman in the different parishes. Fr. Alban recollected a few moments that he shared during his childhood with his friends and fellow pangalites in Oman.
Fr. Alban was then felicitated by the president Mr. Remy Lobo with a shawl of Honour and fruits basket. Mr. Jovin Menezes presented a memento on behalf of all the Pangalites.
The audience was entertained with various games conducted by Melwin Menezes. The tiny tots of Pangla presented dances to the tune to foot tapping dance numbers.
Henry Martis conducted the prize distribution ceremony and Fr. Alban gave away the prizes after which he blessed the lunch. The audience enjoyed a sumptuous and traditional lunch prepared by the Qeens’s restaurant.
It was indeed a day of great enjoyment and merriment for all the parishioners of Pangla.