by Roshan Fernandes, Perth, Australia

Perth, Sep 9: A number of families from Mangalore, India, got together at Holy Name Church, Carlisle on Saturday, 8 September to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary commonly known as "Monti Festh".

The families gathered in Carlisle celebrated this feast keeping in mind all their traditions. The whole Mass was in Konkani celebrated by Fr. Greg Almeida, PP at Carlisle and concelebrated by Fr. Arul Raj and Fr. Francisco.

Traditional hymns were sung during Mass. At the end of the Mass a very moving para-liturgy was conducted at the grotto of our Lady, marked with Konkani hymns and sprinkling of flowers at the feet of our Lady by children who came dressed in colourful and festive attire. This tradition was then followed by another one in the adjacent church hall where a traditional "vegetarian only" meal was lavishly displayed and shared. It was, indeed, a family celebration where games were conducted and where families met and greeted each other and made friends. The whole event concluded by singing and praising God with the "Laudate Dominum".