News & pics: Vincent Mascarenhas, Moodbidri

Tanzania, Sep 15: The feast of Nativity (Monthi Fest) and the blessing of new corn were celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm at St Joseph Boy’s Science Secondary School, Kifaru parish, Tanzania.

Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the celebration. The celebration began at 4.30pm with the inauguration of the newly built hall in the school. There after the bishop blessed the new corn and celebrated the Holy Eucharist. During the homily, the bishop preached the significance of the feast of nativity and highlighted the importance of the family life. Fr Vincent Monteiro, parish priest of Kinnigoli, Fr Ronald Pinto, parish priest of Uppinangady, Fr Suresh from Pune, the guest priests and Fr Alwyn D’Souza, Fr Hilary Lobo, Fr Victor Machado and Fr Jason Lobo concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.

The parishioners of Kifaru along with the students participated in the Eucharist. After the Eucharist, meal was served to all the faithful which was organized and arranged by Br Lanson Pinto and Prashanth D’Souza.

Keeping with the tradition, the Mangalurean Catholic Community in Kifaru gathered as one family and thanked God for the good crop and consumed the blessed new corn. The special dish of Monthi Fest, ‘Alum-dento’ and other vegetables were served for the meal.