Houston Konkan Catholic Association celebrates Easter with traditional Mangalorean flavor

By Clarence DCruz
Bellevision Media Network

Houston/US, 22 Apr 2022: Houston Konkan Catholic Association (HKCA) celebrated Easter at the Irene Stern Community Center, Fulshear, Texas, on April 17.

 

It was the first community celebration post-pandemic and there was large enthusiastic participation for the event.

 

The event was compered by Nisha D’Souza and Meryl Fernandes. The event started off with a prayer by Nisha and a hymn sung by Rohan Fernandes.

 

HKCA president Ivan D’Souza, Sandra D’Souza and family then warmly welcomed the 140 members and guests present to the event.

 

 

Guests were invited to enjoy delicious appetizers of chilly chicken and baby corn Manchurian along with steaming masala chai and cool lemonade which gave a great start to the day.

 

Meryl Fernandes and Clarence D’Cruz then led the excited children outdoors on an Egg Hunt, which kept them happily engaged as they ran around looking for the colorful Easter eggs.

 

Attendees were then divided into 10 groups for some exciting games. Nisha and Meryl conducted the games. The participants’ wholep-heartedly participated in a variety of games like stringing the beads, photo the numbers, hook and shift pasta etc., with competitive fervor and zeal.

 

There was also an Easter related quiz in the end, for teams to showcase their biblical knowledge and win prizes. It was then time for the sumptuous Easter feast.

 

Allen Carvalho along with his family said the grace before meals after which guests sat down to enjoy a mouth-watering spread of traditional homemade pork bafat and sannas, along with delicious Indian food. There were also desserts served consisting of gulab jamun and ice cream. Music is the soul of every event, and DJ’s Vineet Lasrado and Chris Pinto played some foot-tapping Konkani, English and bolllywood hit numbers that had the audience dancing and performing energetic Bollywood moves.

 

Post lunch ‘Housie Housie’ was conducted by Meryl and Nisha which was greatly enjoyed by all participants. Several lucky winners won and took home prizes.

 

The highlight of the event was the delightful and melodious singing of Rohan Fernandes who enthralled the audience with popular Konkani numbers such as Uzwad Chandremaso, Mog Tuzo Kitlo Ashelo, Roopa, Suryo Budon, Tu Sopan Go Fanthyachen etc. He was joined by Michael Waldar, Shobha Waldar and Rosy Fernandes as background vocals. The audience also joined in dancing during the renditions. Thereafter, Anessa Mathias, Nicole D’Souza and Reanne D’Souza grooved to Nachi Nachi song which was greatly appreciated by the crowd.

 

Kiera Pattani and Kien Pattani also entertained the crowd with an energetic Bollywood dance that mesmerized the audience. This was followed by evening tea with snacks served as refreshments.