India Post News Service
WASHINGTON: The 30th anniversary of the Mangalorean Catholic Association (MCA) of Washington DC was celebrated along with Christmas on December 7, 2019. As members and guests came in, the registration team of Renita Fernandes and Wilma Andrade, handed over gift bags containing beautifully designed mementos of the 30th anniversary of the association, personalized Christmas cards and program booklets to each family.
The program began with emcee duo Clint Almeida and Merlyn Mathias kicking off the show to a packed crowd of nearly 150 people at the banquet hall of Tandoori Nights of Fairfax, Virginia.
The “Musical Nativity” play by children was a feast for the eyes. It was followed by a welcome speech by MCA president V. James Dante who narrated the importance of this occasion where all past presidents of the association from the time it was founded in 1989 till now were brought together for the first time in history of the association. He also welcomed dignitary Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu who flew in from Chicago to attend the event as well as the delegates, the presidents of IACA and Goan DC Association.
MCA vice president Savio Fernandes and treasurer Renita Fernandes, then felicitated all the past presidents of the association with bouquets and plaques by current and past committee members and their spouses. Dr Prabhu from Chicago was felicitated by the executive committee members with bouquet, plaque and a shawl.
Then came Santa Claus who entertained everyone with his wit and humor and distributed individual wrapped gifts brought by parents for their children and took pictures with the children. President Dante then gave ‘Thank you’ speech before dinner. While some people headed out to enjoy the lavishly laid out buffet dinner by the banquet hall, others took to the dance floor with music dished out by DJ couple John Lee and Carol Figueira.
Rraffles were drawn during the dinner and dance show and also picture of all the presidents of the association was taken as a memory of this unique event. Later the dancing continued while several spot prizes were declared by the MCs. The program ended close to midnight with everyone leaving with a happy heart having connected with a lot of friends and having made new friends.
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