Report : Clarence Pinto
Pictures : Dilip Corea
Daijiworld Media Network

Muscat, Sep 11: The Feast of Nativity, popularly known as Monthi Fest, celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi on 8th September 2012. This year was the silver jubilee celebrations of the Monthi Fest in Muscat and hence, the whole function was meticulously planned to highlight the grandeur of Coastal Karnataka’s Catholic tradition and sincere love to Mother Mary. “It was the blessings of Late Father Augustine Antao that we, the Mangalorean Community of Muscat, started this feast in Oman twenty five years ago” says Henry Martis, the prominent member of the Nativity Feast committee and core team member of MCCP. “ I strongly believe that we are one of the first Parishes in the Gulf region to celebrate this magnificent and traditional event. We are thankful to all the benefactors and supporters, specially to Gerry D Mello, past main coordinator of the Nativity Feast committee, who have extended their wholehearted support to the community and made this mission possible.”
 

As conducted from the last four years, a Nine days Novena prayer dedicated to infant mother was conducted by the guest priest Fr. (Dr.) Charles Saldanha of the Mangalore Diocese. Fr. Charles is a holder of a doctorate in the Spiritual Theology and the superior and rector of Dayalbagh – Ujire, a seminary of Capuchin order.  The Novena had commenced on Thursday, 30th August 2012 and concluded on Friday, 7th September 2012 with an attendance by the large number of the Konkani Community of the Parish. The children honored mother Mary with flowers.   Treats were distributed to the children after the mass all nine days.

 On the feast day, the stage for the blessing of the Bambino ceremony was beautifully decorated by the members. The procession to the grotto was lead by Samuel D Silva, the current Mangalorean representative to the Parish Council  along with Melwin Peres and Paul D Souza carrying the corn trays and Vincent and Joyce D Souza, ardent supporters of the community activities, with the trays of the Holy Prayer & Pictures. The blessings of the bambino of infant mother, corns and holy pictures were performed by His Lordship Bishop Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga accompanied by Fr. Raul Ramos, Parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Fr. Wilson Rumao – Spiritual Director of the Konkani Community in Ruwi, Fr. Albert D Silva – Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church Ghala, Fr. Charles Saldanha.  As the choir sang the Hymn 'Sokkad Songatha Melyam', (Let us Come Together) children walked in procession carrying flowers and showered flowers to the hymn of "Moriyek Hogolsiam” (Let us praise Mother Mary).

The Solemn Eucharistic Holy mass was celebrated by Most Rev. His Lordship Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga Diocese along with Fr. Raul Ramos, Parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Fr. Wilson Rumao – Spiritual Director of the Konkani Community in Ruwi, Fr. Albert D Silva – Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church Ghala and Fr. Charles Saldanha. 

 The Mass commenced with a welcome note by Clita Crasta, current Vice President of MCCP and the readings were read by Shalet D Souza of the Mangalorean community and Clifford Alponso of the Goan Community. Before the end of the High mass, Fr Wilson Rumao thanked the community for their support and cooperation

 The choir under the leadership of the expert choir master Apolinaris D'Souza, enchanted everyone present with their melodious singing and music. The members of the choir were Apolinaris D Souza, Ambrose Ivan Moras, Anitha Lobo, Dolphy Vaz, Flavia Castelino, Freeda Soares, Ida Pinto, Jessy Castelino, Lancy Sequeira, Loveline T. Rego, Mathew Walder, Philomena Saldanha, Prescilla Menezes, Reena D Souza, Stanislaus D Souza, Valerian Peres and Victoria Soares.  The music for the choir was provided by Larissa Rego on Keyboard, Alistair Aranha and Larissa Fernandes on Violin

 After the Eucharistic celebrations, the organizing committee distributed the blessed corn, holy pictures, 25th anniversary mementos to all the faithful  and a bag of goodies and sugarcane to the children.  

 A brief program was conducted to felicitate the visiting dignitaries which was commenced with a welcome note by Mariete Fernandes, well known community leader and past spiritual secretary of MCCP.  Fr. Albert D Silva welcomed the gathering.

 Melwin Peres, eminent social activist of Gurpur Pompei parish and Paul D Souza – both of them have supported the nativity feast committee for the last 25 years by providing new corn for the celebrations were specially invited to these silver jubilee celebrations and  honored by His Lordship Robert Miranda with mementos. Henry and Gracy Castelino from Barka - the supporters of the community in giving flowers for the last 25 years, were also honored. Fr Charles Saldanha was also presented with a memento for his presence with the community and enlightening the faithful with simple yet powerful homilies and messages during the novena.

 Fr. Raul Ramos’ birthday was celebrated with a cutting of the cake ceremony and presenting him with a memento as a token of love and appreciation for his generous support to the community.

 His Lordship Robert Miranda expressed his joy of being with the community and sharing his joy of the silver jubilee celebrations. His Lordship was presented with a memento by Fr. Raul Ramos, Fr. Wilson Rumao and Fr. Albert D Silva.
 
Henry Martis proposed the vote of thanks. After the prayer before meal by Fr. Charles Saldanha,  Stanley Fernandes, past president of MCCP extended invitation for the Novem Meal.

 Mr. Alwyn Saldanha had prepared the sumptuous and traditional Novem Meal for the whole community and every one enjoyed the traditional food.

One of the prominent members of the community, Ophelia Lazarus, past community service secretary of MCCP, after participating in the ceremony, commented as  “ The meticulous and astute planning was evident at every stage of the event and it was amazing how everything  moved very smoothly from beginning to end.  The serving of the food was awesome and well planned.

“You all have given a lot of time in planning this year Monthi Fest and the efforts put in, have not gone in vain.  A lot of my friends from other communities have appreciated the efforts and the unity in our community and have even thanked me for coaxing them to come for the Monti Fest celebrations.  This speak a lot for our community.  Pray that this unity always remains in the Mangalorean community.”