Report: Lydia Sanctis
Photographs: Joachim D'Souza
Team Mangalorean, Oman

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Muscat March 20: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" Mathew 18: 19-20

The presence and love of our Lord Jesus Christ was felt in our midst during the Spiritual Day held by Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish on March 19, 2010 in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church hall. This was a landmark event, which enriched the spiritual experience of all the members present.

The day began at 16.30 Hrs with Mariette Fernandes, Spiritual Secretary of the MCCP committee giving a formal introduction. Suraj Rebello, the dynamic preisdent of MCCP then gave a warm welcome to the gathering, which was followed by a prayer song 'Hame Itni Shakti Dena Data', sung by the kids seeking the Lords blessings. Nelson D'silva, a prominent personality among the Mangalorean community led us through the spiritual journey that was planned for the day. He emphasised on the importance of Jesus in each ones life and asserted that we were the chosen ones to receive the love of Jesus.

Next, the MIPC youth led the gathering through praise and worship and the whole place was filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our very own talented singer and composer Apolinaris D'souza along with his melodious team sang Konkani hymns of praise with all the members joining in.

The guest of honour for the day was Valerian D'Almeida who specially came in from UAE to grace the event and to give us his real life testimony on how the Lord had touched and transformed his life miraculously.
 
The highlight of this spiritual journey was a live play on the Passion of Christ depicting the Sufferings of Christ, which was beautifully enacted by Deepak D'souza and his team. The play so touched the members present that some of them were actually in tears.

This was followed by the Stations of the Cross, which was conducted by Valerian D' Almeida. He helped us reflect on Jesus journey to the cross from Gethsemane to Golgotha. Every station was backed by visualisations from the movie Passion of Christ. Each Station was a personal encounter with Jesus and a new discovery of His presence in our life.

At the end of this very enriching spiritual experience, Monica Dantis, Vice-President proposed the Vote of thanks and individually thanked each and everyone who had helped the whole community unite as a family in prayer.

Cheryl Fernandes led the gathering with grace before the meals followed by serving of a very simple and traditional Lenten dinner of Pez, Galmbi Chutney, Randhwoi and Lonchem to every member at 2100 hrs. 

It was truly an enlightening and enriching experience for all those who had gathered giving them an opportunity to take a break from their busy lives and look deeply within and feel the love of Jesus.

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