Scholarships

Scholarship Award Winners for 2020 / Nativity of BVM

The Mangalorean Association of Canada is proud to declare winners of the 2020 Educational Scholarship Program: 

1.  Jake Pereira – $1,000

2.  Aidan Mathias – $500

Education contributes to economic success, personal growth, awareness, understanding and nation-building.  The Mangalorean Association of Canada uses its resources to impact and influence the lives of students seeking higher education.  The youth in our community are an indispensable part of our future and legacy and in support of this investment, the Scholarship Program was established.

We are also grateful to the following sponsors who contributed generously to the Scholarship Award Program.

Wilson D’Souza – SonWil Finance Team

Reginald and Mary Fernandes

Leo and Precilla D’Cunha

Ronald Rego

Hyacinth and Freda DeSouza

Sanjay Vora

Also, on the eve of the Nativity of our Blessed Virgin Mary, we take this opportunity to wish you a “Happy Monthi Fest”.  Unfortunately, we could not come together as one large family to celebrate the feast this year.  Nevertheless, we hope that you will able to celebrate it with your family members at home, and pray that may Mother Mary intercede for us and help us overcome this situation soon and help our scientists to find a permanent cure to the dreadful disease, soon.

Obituary – Leena D’Mello (72), Udyavara, India

Dear all,

The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) and all its members offer their sincere condolences on the passing away of Leena D’Mello, Mother of Sharlet/Mark Pinto, member of MAC.

May God grant the strength and courage to her family to overcome this tragedy. Our prayers and support are with the family.

Please see below funeral details:

Leena D’Mello (72), Udyavara, wife of late Gregory D’Mello, daughter of the late Valerian and Catherine D’Sa, mother of Peter / Elveera, Sharlet / Mark Pinto, Walter/Lee Ann, grandmother of Kenneth, Lawrence, Jayden and Hannah passed away on June 14, 2020.

Funeral cortege leaves residence – D’Sa Mansion, Bolar Gudde, Udyavar, to St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavara on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 3 pm, followed by funeral ceremony.

To convey your condolences please click:

https://www.daijiworld.com/chan/obituaryDisplay.aspx?obituaryID=11780

Obituary – Dominic R J D’Lima (75), Gurpur-Kaikamba, India

Dear all,

The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) and all its members offer their sincere condolences on the passing away of Dominic R J D’Lima, father of Dorothy/Ronald Rego, member and sponsor of MAC.

May God grant the strength and courage to his family to overcome this tragedy. Our prayers and support are with the family.

Please see below funeral details:

Dominic R J D’Lima (75), Gurpur-Kaikamba, son of the late John Francis D’Lima and late Lucy Noronha, father of Dorothy / Ronald, Don / Shobha, grand father of Seneca, Roysten, Senorita and David passed away on April 8, 2020.

Funeral cortege leaves residence ‘Franz Garden’ near Kaikamba, to Our Lady of Pompei Church, Gurpur-Kaikamba on Thursday, April 9, at 10.30 am, followed by funeral ceremony.

Contact : 9663458426

To convey your condolences please click:

https://www.daijiworld.com/chan/obituaryDisplay.aspx?obituaryID=11605

MAC Lenten Retreat 2020 from February 29th CANCELLED

Lenten Service and Holy Mass CANCELLED.


Dear Members,

Please be informed that due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic and as per the directives received from the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Holy Mass and Lenten Service organized by the Mangalorean Association of Canada at Sts. Martha & Mary Parish stands cancelled with immediate effect. We will provide sufficient advance notice when we are able to restore our regular spiritual service.

Please take care of yourself and your dear ones and stay blessed.

Thank you.

Regards,

Manohar Pais
President
Mangalorean Association of Canada

MAC Social 2020 on May 2nd CANCELLED

Dear Members,

We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic and adhering to the strict controls put in place by the Government, the MAC SOCIAL 2020 has been called off.   While it was hard for us to take this unfortunate decision, we had to do it in the best interest of our community. 

At this moment, we are unable to let you know whether we will be able to organize this event in the current year, but we promise to continue our regular community services once the normal life is restored in the City.

Please be safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.  May God bless all of us.

Thank you.

Regards,

Manohar Pais

President

Forthcoming Events 2021

Please mark the following dates as placeholders for 2021:

Thank you all for your support in 2020.

As we roll up our sleeves to start 2021 we want to request you to continue with your support by attending our major events this year.

Please mark your calendars for the following dates:

MAC AGM 2021 – NOV 2021 – date and time will be posted soon

Our Konkani Mass celebration will continue as before and will be celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of every month. A reminder will be sent by email.

Our Association needs the support of its members to survive the challenges we face. We urge each and every member to reach out to the Executive committee to voice your opinion as well as share ideas on what we can do to help make our Association stronger.

In closing, we wish you all the best in 2021.

Obituary – Harry Pais (62) – Visitation and Funeral details

The Mangalorean Association of Canada along with the members of the community will start a short prayer service followed by Rosary and hymns at 6pm, on Friday Jan 24th, at the funeral home shown below.  Please make it convenient to attend and offer prayers for the repose of the soul of our deceased member, Harry Pais

Location: Turner & Porter Funeral Home – 2180 Hurontario St, Mississauga, ON L5B 1M8

Dear all,

The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) and all its members offer their sincere condolences on the passing away of Harry Pais, member and sponsor of MAC.

May God grant the strength and courage to his family to overcome this tragedy. Our prayers and support are with the family.

Please see below visitation and funeral details:

Harry Boniface Pais (62), husband of Gita Pais, father of Granville / Sandra Pais, Nish / Kevin Morgan, Brenda Pais and Billie Pais, grandfather of Isabelle Morgan and Nicolas Morgan, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020

Visitation: Turner & Porter Funeral Home – 2180 Hurontario St, Mississauga, ON L5B 1M8
Thursday, Jan 23rd, 2020 Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Friday, Jan 24th, 2020 Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Funeral Service: St. Francis Xavier Church – 5650 Mavis Rd, Mississauga, ON L5V 2X5, Saturday, Jan 25th, 2020 Time: 10:00 am

Burial Service: Assumption Catholic Cemetery – 6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4, Saturday, Jan 25th, 2020

Contact No: Brenda – 4167058649

To convey your condolences please click:

https://www.daijiworld.com/chan/obituaryDisplay.aspx?obituaryID=11440

Manohar Pais

President, Mangalorean Association of Canada

MAC spreads Christmas cheer

Report by Gerry D’Mello

Pics: Ronald D’Souza

As part of Christmas celebration, Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC), which comprises of the Konkani Catholic Community of Greater Toronto, organized ‘Christmas Concert and Party’ with joy and splendor at Sts Martha and Mary Parish in Mississauga on December 14.

The grand celebration began with the High Mass in Konkani celebrated by Fr Edwin D’Souza, the spiritual director of MAC and Fr Henry Alva OFM Cap., the Provincial of the Franciscan Capuchins of ‘Mary Mother of Good Shepherd’ province, in the region of English speaking Canada.

The church reverberated with the voices of the faithful and the magnificence and significance of the Christmas festival was evident in the significant crowd gathered. The walls of the church resonated with the mellifluous singing of the Konkani choir conducted by Merlyn Rodrigues and the music accompaniment by Lester Rodrigues and Wilson D’Souza. The homily delivered by Fr Henry Alva was very enlightening and thought provoking. He gave a clarion call to create a Crib in the hearts for the birth of Christ to enjoy love, joy and peace of Baby Jesus.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Manohar Pais, the dynamic president of MAC delivered the vote of thanks. He thanked the clergy, the Choir, the members of the executive committee and all those who supported in making the event a grand success. He also thanked the sponsors and volunteers for their time, selfless sacrifices and energy during the year 2019.

The highlight of the programme, after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, was a Christmas tableau that was presented by MAC children of various age groups directed by Nina Crasta and Suneetha D’Souza. Each child is to be commended for their unique accomplishment as the Tableau was a resounding success and appreciated by all. Rony D’Souza, the spiritual coordinator, ensured that the programme ran smoothly and was seamless.

The Christmas party celebration commenced at the party hall with a hearty welcome that was extended to an overwhelmingly full hall by the emcee, John D’Souza. With his charming and inimitable style, John built a rapport with the audience. The MAC members and guests were treated with Christmas carols, games, gifts, Christmas cake and delicious snacks. Children were overjoyed to receive gifts from Santa.

Manohar Pais and his support team organized the event meticulously and to perfection.

Click below for pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rYi2NJHJryjogDuu5

MAC celebrates Monthi Fest in Canada

Report by Janet D’souza
Photographs by Ivan Lobo

“Monthi Fest” or the Nativity of our Lady kindles and evokes a flood of sentimental and wistful memories in the minds of the Konkani Catholic community within Canada – recollections of succulent sugarcane, red sticky homemade candy, fresh flowers, scrumptious organic vegetables and so on. Through many generations, the harvest festival has evolved to embrace solemn customs and folk traditions such as the blessing of the rice kernels, showering of flowers to Infant Mary, consuming the grains of the new harvest in a cup of milk or sweet “Vorn”, and serving an odd number of vegetarian dishes at the festive meal. Monthi Fest is an intrinsic part of the Konkan culture as it celebrates not only the harvest and hard work by the farmers but also emphasizes the significance of the birthday of our dear Mother Mary.

The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC) celebrated “Monthi Fest” on Sunday, September 8, 2019 with devotion and grandeur befitting our Mother Mary at St Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Mississauga.  John D’Souza, Cultural Coordinator, welcomed the faithful and quickly summarised the flow of religious events.  A solemn procession of little children carrying trays of beautiful flowers entered the hall and they enthusiastically offered flowers in honor of Mother Mary to the lilting tunes of “Sokkod Sangatha Mellyam” and “Moriyek Hogolsiyan”.  As this ceremony ended, people walked with deep devotion accompanied by the choir to celebrate the Konkani mass.   While Rev. Fr. Henry Alva, the main celebrant led the mass, Fr. Roshan D’Souza’s evocative and passionate homily stirred the hearts and minds of the congregation.  The co-celebrants of this mass were Fr. Edwin D’Souza, our Spiritual Director who blessed and distributed candles to all sponsors, Fr. Baptist D’Sa, Fr. Denis D’Souza, Fr. Andrew Lewis and Fr. Boniface Furtado.  Sr. Ferdinanda, our most ardent supporter attended the religious ceremonies as well as the cultural program.  The Eucharistic celebrations were made even more exceptional as the rafters of the church resonated with the effortless and harmonious choir led by the immensely talented Merlyn Rodrigues.  Gerry D’Mello, multi talented Konkani writer and strong supporter of MAC welcomed the congregation at the beginning of the Holy Mass and thanked all those who supported the church ceremony, at the end.

The cultural program commenced at Pope John Paul II hall with some snacks and a heartfelt welcome by the dynamic and incomparable President of MAC, Manohar Pais.  Manohar highlighted the prominence of Monthi Fest in our culture, thanked the clergy, sponsors, volunteers and performers for their abundant generosity, invaluable support, valuable time and energy and then introduced two outstanding and gifted youngsters, Juan D’Souza and Linton Pinto.  Juan and Linton were the emcees of the Monthi Fest cultural program and they were shining stars who lit up the stage with their wit, enthusiasm and innate bond with the audience.  The program encompassed magnificently written and acted comedy skits, exquisite traditional and contemporary dances in striking costumes, captivating songs transporting the audience in reminiscent journeys to their hometowns and symphonic band music by enthusiastic and talented youngsters.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everybody can be great.  Because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know a second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”  This is what Merlyn Rodrigues; our celebrated choirmaster exemplifies and practices.  Quietly and fervently working in the shadows, Merlyn has brought forth music that has touched hearts, uplifted souls and provided an unparalleled serenity lifting listeners to another dimension. In recognition of Merlyn’s numerous contributions, MAC instituted an award to honor her during the Monthi Fest celebrations, a ceremony that was skillfully and graciously conducted by Manohar Pais.  Merlyn was bestowed a framed “Letter of Distinction” in Konkani, a Plaque and gorgeous silk shawl by present and past presidents of MAC as a mark of respect and tribute.

Education contributes to economic success, personal growth, awareness, understanding and nation-building.  The Mangalorean Association of Canada uses its resources to impact and influence the lives of students seeking higher education.  The youth in our community are an indispensable part of our future and legacy and in support of this investment, the Scholarship Program was established.  The 2019 winners of the Scholarship Program were Terence D’Souza and Cassandra D’Cunha.  Terence was awarded CAD 1000 and Cassandra was awarded CAD 500 and both are talented youngsters with an incredible work ethic and priorities and determined focus on their career paths.  The sponsors of the top scholarship award were Vincent and Prescilla Machado, committed supporters of the association.  Both have generously championed events such as the Annual Social and the Monthi Fest for the past three years.  The sponsors of the second scholarship award were Reginald and Mary Fernandes, dedicated supporters of the program since its inception.  Both have stood by the association and volunteered their time, energy and skills.

Dinner was a splendid array of delicious vegetarian delicacies such as Pothrade, vegetarian cutlets, pasta, lentils, pickles, okra, black chickpeas and the eagerly anticipated and awaited “Vorn”, a concoction of lentils, coconut milk, jaggery and cashews.  Konkan Delite surpassed all expectations with their catered meal and the guests commended the quality and taste of this authentic Mangalorean meal.  The Monthi Fest celebrations ended with Laudate and the cheers of a satisfied audience.  A resounding salute and thanks to the participation and selfless commitment of the Executive Committee, organizers and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event an astounding success.

Click below for pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bdQmki7B2mi9XYHP8