Chicago, Dec 9:  It's an early start for Christmas here in Chicago. The side streets are piling up with snow and the snow man in front of the house has not melted away for the last several days keeping the children happy.  It was a "White Christmas" for the Mangalorean Konkan Christians Association (MKCA), Chicago, which celebrated Christmas with all its festivities at Courtland Square Community Hall, Des Plaines, Illinois. 

The program was initiated with the celebration of Holy Mass by Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira.  The Mass was wonderfully conducted in an interactive style in Konkani.  In his homily Fr. Sequeira reaffirmed that the joy of Christmas shall be shared by every Mangaloreans irrespective of our differences. He stated that we have to rejoice together and preserve and promote our prosperous cultural heritage as well as take what is good in other cultures and make it a part of ours.

The MKCA Choir headed by Dorothy Rego sang hymns in Konkani, English and Kannada. "Jo Jo Jo endhu Laali Haadiree, Kandaa Yesuvige Lali Haadiree"  - a hymn in Kannada was joined by the young children by clapping hands to the beats of the hymn.

At the end of the Mass, audience gave big applause in appreciation of wonderfully organized celebration.

The Mass was followed by Happy Hour.  During this time the participants enjoyed to taste the Mangalorean style appetizers.  There was open bar arranged by Jossie Mendonca.  Adults savored the drinks and cocktails of their choice.

As a mark of commencement of formal program the president of the Association Stany D’Souza welcomed the gathering and reaffirmed the association’s efforts in promoting the Mangalorean tradition of sharing the joy of Christmas with each other.  This was followed by impromptu singing of songs in Konkani, English, Hindi and Tulu by Crystal Rodrigues, Ligoury Martis, Denzil Concesso, Mercy Concesso, Jossie Mendonca, Fr. Henry Sequeira and several other children as young as 3 years.  The audience were all amazed to hear the adults singing old as well as new hit songs of the time and the children as young as 3 years old volunteering to sing their favorite songs. The thunderous applause from the audience encouraged every one to come forward to give their best performance.

There was a solo dance by Ms. Melissa Fernandes, who choreographed her dance on the spot.  There was 'Cousins' dance by the children to the tunes of Rock-N-Roll Soniye, participants were Angel D’Souza, Joey Mendonca, Shawn D'Souza, Cheryl D'Souza, Shannon D'Souza and Jason Mendonca,  choreographed by Queenie Mendonca.  The game for adults which involved lot of dancing, conducted by Florine Rodrigues was well appreciated by the participants.

The Mangalorean style dinner consisting of several main and side dishes along with Dukra maas and sunna well served the participants appetite.  They relished the taste of authentic Mangalorean menu, arranged and presented by Mark Rodrigues and Terry D’Souza.

The MKCA members surprised the audience by presentation of their dance to the tunes of Goan folk song 'Age Naari'.  This was followed by group singing of Christmas Carols by the children.  When the children began to sing 'Jingle Bells' song the spirited Santa came out dancing, singing and ringing his bells with his famous 'Ho, ho, ho' laughter and all the children’s sparkling eyes greeted him with broad smiles and giggles.  It was awesome to see the children’s amazement and joy to see the real Santa with his Christmas presents.  The children overjoyed to get a unique gift from Santa.  The Santa was presented by Ligoury Martis, who made children happy by his kind words and gifts. 

There was a small Konkan skit "Chor" meaning 'thief' presented by Austin Prabhu, Mercy Concesso and Denzil Concesso.  The audience present laughed their heads-off the way the trio presented their humorous act. 

All the participants were moved with delight to receive a packet of ‘Kuswar’ consisting of  chaklio by Florine Rodrigues; rice laadu and kideo by Dorothy Rego; kokkisan by Queenie Mendonca; cake by Maya Menezes; banana chips by Rose Mascarenhas; nankuts by Loretta Rodrigues; tukudio by Leonilla Martis; tilya laadu by Mercy Concesso; kazur by Lawrence and Edna Mascarenhas; limbe by Saritha Dias and nevrio by Vissia D’Souza. 

As concluding remark the Secretary of the Association Vinod Menezes thanked all the committee members, members, guests and well wishers for their great support and generous help for the success of this program.  As usual the participants rushed to the floor to dance to the tunes of Konkani, Hindi, Spanish and English songs presented by D.J. Nil, (Anil D’Souza). Our official photographer for the event was Allen Martis. This program was effectively compeered by Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu with his dynamic speech and recurrent good natured humor.  

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