Kuwait: Belman Parishioners (BELWAK) Celebrates Parish Feast

By BELWAK Correspondent
Pics by Alban D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 15 June 2011: The ambience in the premises of the Indian Public School, Salmiya, on Friday June 10 was ecstatic.

 

On the day, the parishioners of St Joseph Church,  Belman (BELWAK) assembled in full strength along with families, friends and relatives to re-live the euphoria of parish feast, reminiscent of celebration in native Belman (also called Belmannu). The universal church celebrates the feast of St Joseph the worker on May 1. St Joseph is the patron saint of the Belman parish.

 

From the outset, guests were welcomed in traditional Mangalorean culture i.e. offering of ‘pan-phodd’, ‘jaggery’ and ‘mogrekalle’ (fresh jasmine flowers from Mangalore). The programme commenced with a prayer recited by Joyce D’Souza.  Thereafter, former president Clifford D’Souza dwelt briefly on the history of Belman parish and spelt out the events to follow during the day.

 

BELWAK president Jerome D’Souza welcomed the chief guest Fr Noel Almeida, newly appointed assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi, Kuwait. He also extended a warm welcome to all the sponsors: Venissa Pinto, Vianna Pinto, Lawrence Pinto, Harold D’Souza, Henry D’Mello and social activist Louis Rodrigues, prominent well-wishers Francis Menezes and Harry Edward D’Souza. 

 
All the office-bearers and committee members of BELWAK together with the chief guest cut the festive cake, as a token of sharing the sweetness and happiness with one and all.

 

Secretary Johnson Almeida read out the annual report, highlighting the eventful moments BELWAK had traversed since inception.

 

On the feast day every year, it is customary for BELWAK to honour/felicitate prominent personalities and individuals who have contributed to the welfare of the community and/or excelled in any form or walk of life.

 

Those honoured by BELWAK on Friday were:

Jyothi Colaco Noronha for her outstanding achievement in schooling teens and youth alike in the art of dance and she herself has been a performer par excellence.

Lolita Rodrigues Fronteiro for performing splendidly in singing and also for her contribution in the art of dance.

 

Also felicitated were Anish Jeason D’Cruz for being adjudged the best management trainee by the British American Tobacco Company, Australia and Asha Jane D’Cruz for academic excellence in CBSE Exams as well as a Gold Medalist in the Kuwait Chapter of CBSE Schools Chess Competition.

 

 

Fr Almeida in his festive message recalled his earlier days as manager at Assisi Printing Press, spoke of the difficult times ’Betkatti’ magazine went through in order to stay on. He attributed the survival and success of “Betkatti” publication to the valuable contributions and support given by overseas Belman Parishioners. 

 
Prior to his posting in Kuwait, Fr Almeida, like all others, was of the notion that Indian expats employed in the Middle East were making a fast buck. But, he was quick to realize that it was wrong. He lauded the painstaking efforts of BELWAK in an alien land towards helping the poor and the needy people of native Belman and hoped that BELWAK would continue to work zealously in the same spirit in the years ahead.

 
Rita Rodrigues conducted games for all age group. Anil Nazareth, in-charge of the cultural progammes, which included the exhilarating filmi dance performed by Danica Monteiro, Mangalorean folk dance by Vinitha D’Souza and group, hilarious skits by United Mangalorean Kuwait (UMK) and BELWAK Group.

 
The sumptuous buffet prepared by Royal Plaza Catering Services Co. was relished by everyone. The atmosphere of the feast day celebration was further enhanced with the giving away of spot gifts to the lucky winners by BELWAK consultant Francis Menezes who was at his energetic best in conducting spot events/games.

 

Towards the end, Francis Menezes and Valerian DSouza conducted the game of tombola (housie). It was followed by the raffle draw, conducted by Clifford D’Souza,  Jerome D’Souza, Francis Menezes and Rita Rodrigues.

 
Vice-president Anil Nazareth proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked the sponsors, office-bearers and committee members of BELWAK for their all-round support in staging this event. The day culminated with the prize distribution ceremony to all the winners of the various events/games.

 

The proceedings of the day was compered admirably by Jessie D’Cruz, Clifford D’Souza and Rita Rodrigues. The celebration drew to an end at 5.30 pm with the dazzling baila masala dance.