Doha: KSC Gears up for Monthi Fest with Novena, Singing, Drawing Competitions

Report: Gladson D'Almeida
Pics: Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha

Doha, Sep 6: The Konkani-speaking Community (KSC) of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church of Doha has been preparing in full swing for the feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be celebrated with grandeur on Thursday September 8 evening.

As part of the celebration a 9-day novena has already begun and renowned preacher Fr V J Menezes from Bangalore has been assisting the devotees in their spiritual quest.

Further as part of the annual Monthi fest celebrations, the Konkani-Speaking Community (KSC) organized drawing as well as Konkani hymn singing competitions for the devotees in the last week.

The drawing competitions were held on Friday August 26 evening at the Seraphic hall within the Catholic Church premises. The competition drew a huge response as enthusiastic children and elders took part in big numbers. The participants were divided in four age-group categories. Edward Sequeira was the judge for the drawing competition. The competition successfully brought forth some hidden talents and also offered platform for aspiring artists.

On Friday September 2, 2011 KSC organized the much-awaited hymn singing competitions at the Seraphic hall. Again the competition level was quite high as competition received a very good response. The completion was held in four separate groups for both male and female participants. The evening began with the keynote address by Fr Anand Castelino, OFM Cap, the spiritual director of the KSC.

Guest priest Fr V J Menezes who is a musician himself, well-known artist, director, versatile actor, and compere Eddie Sequeira were the judges for the evening. The solo, duet and group categories witnessed a tough competition as the audience kept cheering the participants. It was heart-warming to see the children participate with great enthusiasm and in large numbers too. Even the seniors' category proved to be a tough draw and the end result suggested that competition was indeed fierce and winners had to be selected based on finesse and minute details.

Eddie Sequeira who spoke on behalf of the judges stressed on the necessity of participation more than winning and expressed his pleasure in judging such a good competition. KSC president Veena Rebimbus Pais announced the results at the end amidst huge cheering and anticipation both from the participants as well as the audience. The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks proposed by Fr Anand Castelino. John D'Sa was the compere of the evening.

Results:
Drawing Competition:  
Below 6 years Colouring the given picture of Mother Mary 

1 Nikita Rego 
2 Joshua James Mathias 
3 Nicole Mary Goes 
 Waylon Mendonca 

Above  6 to 10 years Draw and Colour any picture that illustrates Mother Mary
1 Astra Julia Pinto 
2 Aaron Avith D'Souza 
3 Joshua Elvin Pinto 

Above 10 to 16 Years Draw and Colour any picture that illustrates Mother Mary
1 Swizel Pereira 
2 Mitchelle Xavier Machado 
3 Sanchia Beryl Fernandes 
 Ashlyn Gail D'Souza 

17 Years and above Draw and colour any Biblical incident depicting Mary 
1 Prabha Rego 
2 Fathima Vello Dacosta 

The Konkani-speaking Community under the leadership of spiritual director Fr Anand Castelino and Vivian D'Souza Bondel has been rendering yeoman's service towards the spiritual and social welfare of the large number of Konkani-speaking diaspora spread across the length and breadth of Qatar, the tiny oil-rich country of the Arab peninsula. Konkani mass on every Friday morning, celebrations of feasts such as Christmas, Easter, Monthi Fest etc on large scale, family gatherings etc have well been appreciated by the expats who mostly hail from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai and form the crux of Konkani-Speaking Community of Doha.

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