Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 17: A traditional food festival jointly organised by women’s association and commission for women of St Joseph the Worker Parish, Neermarga on August 15 was held at Sambram Church Hall, Neermarga. The programme commenced with a traditional welcome with betel leaf and water, followed by a song depicting the objective of women's association.
Parish priest Fr Paul Pinto inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp along with the guests of honour.
While Fr Paul Pinto presided over the function, guests of honour secretary diocesan commission for women Anita D'Sa, city varado women's association president Ida Sequeira and secretary Clara Pinto, coordinator of 21 Commissions, Maurice Renjal, parish pastoral committee secretary and women's association president Zita Usha Fernandes and parish women’s association secretary Reshma Periera were present on the dais.
Gretta Vas, resource person of the event elaborated on the hardships one had to encounter during monsoon season, especially in the month of ‘Aati’ during the good old days and how elders used to manage the situation by their exquisite culinary skills using season specific, naturally available food raw materials.
Fr Paul Pinto in his address mentioned that a programme of this sort enables all to relive the memories of good old days. He added, “Companionship promotes unity and creative synergy and may this give rise to renewed positivity among the parishioners.”
The association members melodiously sang a song on womanhood written by the late Wilfy Rebimbus. Some party games were conducted as part of the entertainment by the members of commission for women followed by Fr Pinto giving away the prizes to the winners.
The main part of the programme was to familiarize everyone with twenty mouth-watering, home cooked varieties of delicacies by our members. After Fr Pinto invoked blessing on these items, Usha Fernandes announced dinner.
Zita Saldanha compered the programme, Juliet Fernandes welcomed the gathering and Anusha Reema proposed a vote of thanks.