Mangaluru: MCC Bank celebrates Christmas at Manasa Rehabilitation Centre, Pamboor

By Sunil Menezes
Pics: Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 16 Dec 2016: The Mangalore Catholic Co-operative (MCC) Bank Ltd organized a Christmas celebration at Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Pamboor, in Udupi on Tuesday, December 13.

 

Francis Cutinho, chairman of MCC Bank presided the programme.

 

Fr Clement Mascarenhas, parish priest of St Lawrence parish, Moodubelle, near here Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake were the chief guests of the occasion.

 

 

Udupi ZP member Wilson Rodrigues, Fr Richard Quadros, parish priest of St Theresa Church, Bandra (W), Mumbai, Fr Professor Ivan Madtha, Gospel magician, were the guests of honor.

 

ZP former members Gerald Fernandes and Ida Gilbert D’Souza, Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre managing trustee Henry Menezes, MCC Bank vice chairman Alwyn Patrao, directors Jerald Jude D’Silva, Melvyn C D’Souza, Archibald Menezes, Stephen Pinto, Anil Lobo, Marcel M D’Souza, Sewrine Lobo and general manager Sunil Menezes, Thomas Sequeira among others were on the dais.

 

The celebration began with a prayer dance led by children of Manasa Special School. The programme was inaugurated by Fr Clement Mascarenhas along with the dignitaries on the dais.

 

Addressing the gathering Fr Mascarenhas said, ‘Children speak the language of God. God loved us so much that he gave his only Son. God is love. Let us all speak the language of God. We can only do so by being good to our fellow human beings.’

 

Vinay Kumar Sorake said, ‘MCC bank has been in existence since 104 years. They instill hope in the people who are in need and who are in distress. Here they have come with hope for the poor. I remember spending my birthday with family members here. I wish the best for the bank and salute them for their social concern. I wish all of you a merry Christmas.’

 

MCC Bank chairman Francis Cutinho welcomed the gathering and presided the programme. In his presidential address, Francis said, ‘Christ was born poor. He asked us to love the poor people and showed us how to carry the cross of tribulations. Christmas is the feast of peace. Even warring nations made peace during Christmas. Peace from us should be shared. We celebrate this feast here today with innocent children. They are sinless. Let us be good to them. May Jesus lead us on the path of peace and righteousness?’

 

Wilson Rodrigues spoke on the occasion. Fr Ivan Madtha presented a Gospel magic show.

 

 

Children of Manasa Special School, Pamboor, Asha Nilaya Special School, Udupi, Spandana Special School, Udupi, Chethana Special School, Karkala, Arunodaya Special School, Karkala, Narayana Vikala Chetana Special School, Tallur, Kundapura, Aasare Special School, Manipal and Vagijyothi Deaf and Dumb School, Kundapura with their teachers were present and performed cultural programme.

 

Children, as well as elders, enjoyed the Christmas celebrations with Christmas carols, songs, jokes and Santa Claus presented by MCC Bank employees.

 

The general manager Sunil Menezes proposed the vote of thanks. MCC Bank - Karkala branch staff Rayan Praveen compered the programme.