Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Sep 15: The Kanara Catholic Foundation celebrated the Nativity feast of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ on September 13 at St John the Baptist Church.

The celebration started with the thanksgiving Mass by Fr Dylan D`Souza. The vice president of KCF Thane Sonal D'Silva and the joint secretary William D'Souza welcomed the priests and all those who had gathered for the celebration. Both of them conducted the event. The committee members participated in the procession, carrying the statue of Infant Mary along with stalks of rice and little children carrying flowers. The parish priest Fr Jerome Lobo blessed the statue of Infant Mary and new paddy sheaves, and invoked blessings upon the faithful. He also blessed novem (new crops) and novem jevan (vegetarian meals) as it is also known as the harvest festival for Kanara Catholics.

The children offered flowers to the statue of Infant Mary while singing the hymn 'Moriyek Hogolsiya'.

The cultural programme was inaugurated, starting with the lighting of the lamp by the priests, Fr Jerome Lobo, Fr Dylan D'Souza, Fr Savio Lobo, the president of KCF Cyril D'Souza, Louisa D'Souza, Isadore Gonsalves and John Tauro.

While the members distributed the blessed novem among the people, two children Juanita D'Souza and Jaden Machado individually sang devotional hymns 'Monthi Maye' and 'Maria Mai Mujhi' respectively to Mother Mary in Konkani.

Children performed dances on Konkani songs and also sung songs dedicated to Mother Mary.

KCF president Cyril D’Souza, secretary Robert D’Souza, treasurer Wilfred Sequeira, vice president Sonal D’Silva, joint secretary William D’Souza, joint treasurer Timothy D’Souza and committee members Roshni D’Souza, Cynthia Pais, David Soares, Lancy D’Souza organised the entire celebration.

Louisa D’Souza, Michael Fernandes and David Soares celebrated their birthday on the same day. Cake cutting ceremony was held for them.

Three outgoing members of the committee Irene Pinto, Edwin Louis, Ronald Saldanha were felicitated by Fr Thomson Kinny with floral bouquets and token of appreciation for their services rendered towards KCF Thane.

The donors were thanked and appreciated for their financial contribution for the smooth functioning of the programme with a token of love.

Thereafter, a traditional vegetarian meal prepared with newly blessed paddy was served in banana leaves to the people gathered for the event by the committee members.

The event ended with a vote of thanks by Wilfred Sequeira followed by the Mangalurean baila dance.