The 104th Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) Annual ‘Christmas’ Reunion Bash was Simply a Blast!
Mangaluru: Sunday, 2 December was a day of many events, including a Mobile Christmas Act at Nehru Maidan, and also a ‘Konkan Fiesta’ featuring a Goan Band with fun and frolic at Mangalore Hills- and CASK had their Annual ‘Çhristmas’ Reunion Day the same evening. Therefore, Revelers had a tough time to make a decision as to where to party that evening, but no matter what, showing full support and love towards their Association, the hard-core members of CASK turned up in large numbers to patronize the 104th Annual ‘Christmas Reunion Bash held at Lobo’s Riverview, Mangaluru on Sunday, 2 December at 7 pm.
CASK celebrated this Annual Reunion Day in a “Christmas” spirit being the beginning of Advent, and also being grateful to God for all his blessings showered on the 104-year-old prestigious Catholic organization in Mangaluru! Yes, once again it was a Sunday evening full of music, dance, entertainment, food and drinks- and as always CASK did throw a glittering and glamorous “Annual Reunion Bash” from 7 pm until everyone decided that they had enough of everything- fun, frolic, food and drinks. And of course, it was a grand occasion which will be remembered by all these revelers who made it to this gala fun-filled evening.
As they say about Reunions-they can be excitedly anticipated or painfully dreaded. Either way, the first hour or so can be awkward as people shuffle in from all over. Reunions include time for catching up and renewing old relationships. Getting past that awkward hour will get a little easier if there is lots of fun and easy reunion icebreaker games. And for that matter, the reunion bash of CASK was organized in such a way that everyone had a good time, it was not boring and there were no complaints. Well organized with lots of fun and frolic, especially kudos to the compere Young and Macho Jake Texeira, who simply rocked and kept the evening live and entertaining with his witty and wacky punchlines- and also kudos to Ms Patsy Lobo for a well planned programme, with her unique “Christmas Message” act and what not.
And the ideal place for this Bash was Lobo’s Riverview-Morgan’s Gate in City, which boasts the rich tradition of Cascia Tile Industry and scenic beauty of Mangaluru riverside making it a unique Tourist Destination at Mangaluru, and also an ideal place for get-together and parties. Located at the heart of Mangaluru without the hectic and Chaotic City life, revelers at this event experienced a whole new world- quite suitable to relax and recreate. The venue was well decorated against the backdrop of the Netravathi River/Ullal bridge, with the trees lighted with strings of multi-hued bulbs, in a true party atmosphere. The enchanting venue did set the mood to have some fun and frolic, along with a few cocktails, snacks, and of course, ending with sumptuous dinner.
The crowd was predominately mixed- Vintage and young revelers of CASK, joined by their spouses, relatives, sons, daughters, grandkids, friends and well-wishers. In between entertainment, while the seniors shared their news about their sons and daughters, Son in laws and daughter, and little gossip here and there about their grandkids and neighbours, which was much better than the few young girls and boys in the audience exchanging gossip via SMS or WhatsApp through their mobiles. To enliven the atmosphere there was not only live music but also few spot games, comedy act, floor dance and lots of friendship cum fellowship, together with a sumptuous spread of food that added spice to the occasion.
The celebration began with a prayer rendered by St Jeswina AC-Principal of St Agnes College, Mangaluru, followed by a Christmas Carol played by Dr Anand Pereira. Ms Patsy Lobo along with Ms Melora Pais and Ms Shirley Coelho entertained the audience with a thoughtful and Charismatic Christmas Message through Audio Video presentation. Cute and a lovely children group sang a few Christmas carols, under the guidance of music maestro 78-year-old Joe Rasquinha. Dr Derick Lobo, CASK Governing Council Member and CASK appointee of Bishop, briefed the audience about the Organ Donation Pledge programme that is planned by CASK in support of the Organ Transplant Department that would come up at Father Muller Hospital in the nearest future.
Fr Richard Coelho- Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, and also the Chief Guest for the occasion addressing the gathering said, “I am thankful to the members and friends of CASK who have come forward in launching the Organ Donation Pledge project, which will benefit thousands of people awaiting transplants. Father Muller Hospital will soon have a state-of-the-art Organ Transplant and Cadaveric Units, and approval has been got from the government. ‘Heaven’ does not need organs but millions of people will have a fresh lease of life with the organs donated by ‘Brain Dead” patients making ‘Heaven on Earth” for them- and being a ‘Cadaver Donor’ is highly appreciated. Organ donation can save someone’s life, so we should make up our mind to donate our organs to those who are desperately waiting to get one. Let’s make a difference, and CASK can do it”.
The Konkani dance choreographed by Dr Mandovi and Preethi Pinto, and guided by Ms Rathna Pinto and Ms Sharlet Pinto; a solo classical fusion dance with Christmas theme performed by Ms Ramona Mathias; and a sizzling and mesmerizing English Dance also with a Christmas theme, enthralled the audience and received loud applaud from the revelers. In her presidential address, CASK President Ms Nayana Fernandes extended her heartfelt gratitude to all the CASK members and well-wishers for their support and love shown towards CASK all these years, and looked forward for similar kind of help in future too.
Apart from all the entertainment, there were also a few spot games, where the winners took home some exciting gifts. After the vote of thanks proposed by Capt. Vincent Pais, the Vice President of CASK, it was simply party time, where the revelers made the best of their time on the dance floor swinging to the tunes by the Band, “Hard Attack” all the way from Bengaluru and quite a few others indulged themselves in fellowship, sipping on their favorite “spirits” and having a jolly good time. The band played some good music of the past and present, and kept the crowd swaying on the dance- luckily a few of the hard rock numbers by the band “Hard Attack” didn’t create any ‘Heart Attack’ among the vintage revelers?
To sum it up, the renowned Annual Reunion 2018 of CASK was a spectacular show of unity and entertainment with songs, dances, music and fun. In addition, the Reunion was also aimed at fund-raising for the various welfare and social service activities of the Association targeting the marginalized sections of society. CASK Reunion 2018 will go unparalleled in history, while the snapshots incorporated here speak for themselves. Many exclaimed, “Oh what an awesome reunion it was!”. Everyone went back home with fond memories of a fun-filled party -and promising to come back for the 2019 CASK Reunion. So until we meet again at the next CASK Annual Reunion 2019 celebration, cherish all the fun and frolic you encountered at this 2018 Reunion bash.
About Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK):
With over 1300 CASK members spread across India and several countries of the world, every year the Association organizes an Annual Reunion of its members in November each year. The Catholic Association of South Kanara(CASK), it is the oldest Catholic Laity Organization in South India, established in July 1914 and Registered under the Societies Act in 1925. CASK publishes a monthly magazine entitled “Mangaluru” since July 1927, one of the oldest monthly magazine in the country with the credit of uninterrupted publication for 90 years. The Bishop of Mangaluru – Most Rev.Dr Peter Paul Saldanha is the Patron of CASK.
Over the last 104 years, CASK has worked towards fulfilling the following Objectives of the Association:
– Promote the educational, economic, cultural, social and general welfare of the community;
– Render assistance to the underprivileged and vulnerable groups of society, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or any other distinction;
– Support the publication of books, periodicals, and other literature authored by community members and also support the preservation of the Konkani language, literature, culture, heritage, arts, architecture, music and fine arts;
– Act as the voice of the community in upholding its rights and privileges;
– Interact, network and function as a link to unite the community spread across India and abroad;
CASK also organizes regular programmes for its members and also special programmes for students, youth, women and other target groups. CASK celebrated its centenary during 2013-2014 and successfully launched and implemented the following programmes in honor of the Centenary, which still continue:
* “Promotion of Blood, Organ and Whole Body Donations” in collaboration with Fr Muller Hospital. CASK is involved in Creating awareness to encourage people to donate blood and pledge organs and organizes Eye and Paediatric camps.
* “Personality Development Programme” for School/College Students. During the last 5 years, CASK has conducted this programme in 15 schools and 3 Colleges in Mangaluru. Nearly 1,500 students have been the beneficiaries of this programme so far.
* “CASK Education Fund” has been substantially scaled up in order to provide an annual scholarship to deserving students irrespective of religion, caste, creed or other distinctions. Each year 100 scholarships are provided at Rs.5,000 each, primarily for the purchase of books and extra coaching.
* “Provision of Safe Drinking Water in Schools” – Most rural schools, both Government and private do not have Purified Drinking Water facilities for its students. CASK has installed Safe Drinking Water Units in 6 schools last year and plans to cover 6 more schools this year.
* “Footwear for Barefoot School-Going Children” – We have observed that approximately 20-25% of students attending Rural Schools and a few city schools come barefoot to school, thereby exposing the children to snake-bite and infections like hookworm. CASK provided footwear to 500 children of 4 schools last year and plans to cover more schools this year.
The above are some of the ongoing projects. CASK plans to scale-up the above projects and needs support from its members and well-wishers to do such impactful charitable work.
The Governing Board Members of CASK are:
Mrs. Nayana Rose Fernandes- President; Capt. Vincent Pais-Vice – President-1; Mrs. Patricia Lobo-Vice- President-2; Mario Joseph Saldanha-Secretary; Dr. Anand Titus Pereira- Joint Secretary; Walter D’sa-Treasurer; and the Governing Council Members are: Richard C. Rodrigues; Ms Thelma Rita Benedicta Pais; Dr. Anthony Mathias; Dr. Christopher Pais; Ms Joan Lobo; Ms June Pais; Ms Sharlet Pinto; Ian Desmond Lobo; Paul Mascarenhas; Robert Joseph D’Souza; Francis Joseph Ullhas Rasquinha; Joachim Louis Pinto; Ms Gulobi Fernandes; Archibald H.G. Menezes; Jeevan Saldanha; Ms Ratna Kini Pinto; and Dr.Derek Anthony Lobo- Governing Council Member & Bishop Representative
For more details of CASK and how you can be a member call: Ms Nayana Fernandes: 9844075758