Report by Loy & Victor
Pics by… Raja & Odi
Salalah, Sep 15: The Konkani speaking community of St. Francis Xavier Church, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman celebrated Monti Fest on Friday, the 14th September 2012. It was a great day indeed as the celebration matched any parish in South Canara. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Fr. Robert Miranda, the bishop of Gulbarga was the main celebrant. The mass was con-celebrated by Fr. Dr. Charles Saldanha, Superior & Rector of Dayalbagh, Ujire, a seminary of capuchin order, Fr. Albert D'silva, the parish priest of Ghala Church and Fr. Ashok Gonsalvis our own parish priest.
The celebrations began by the recitation of Holy Rosary by Mr. Albert Pinto. After the rosary the congregation moved to the grotto with the melodious hymn Sokkad Sangatha melyam in the air, children with plates of flowers and the adults placing flowers at the feet of Mother Mary. The bishop blessed the new paddy and the children showered flowers while choir sang ‘Moriek Hogollsiyam’. The mass was grand with the melodious choir led by Victor Moras & group, organist Vinith and guitarist Dwayne. The colorful offertory procession by small children and adults, organized by Lawrence D’Souza.
In his homily, the bishop emphasized the importance of Salalah being a blessed land, believed to be Mother Mary’s ancestral (Joachim & Anne) place. The mass became visually meaningful as Michel Pereira projected the hymns, prayers and pictures on the screen.
Doriana Gonsalvis and Natasha Fernandez were felicitated by the bishop for their outstanding academic performance in 12th & 10th board exams respectively. Soon after, all the children were blessed and given complimentary gifts. The blessed paddy corns, sugar cane and blessed snacks were given to the faithful. Delicious ‘vorn’ prepared by Peter & Winny Sequeira was served to the gathering. Immediately Allan D’costa conducted the Housie-Housie game with spot prizes in between coordinated by Sandra Fernandez.
The community then proceeded to Udupi Restaurant for the traditional Mangalorean banana leaf meal consisting of 30 items in total. It was a grand meal to end the grand day. The credit goes to Allan D’costa, Robert Rego & Charles Cardoza.
The entire program for the day was organized by Loy, Valerian and Thomas Rajesh from Mangalorean community, Melvin, Fausto and Mrs. Regina Agnello from the Goan community.