from Stanley D'Cruz
for Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney (GA)

Sydney, Oct 12: About 250 Mangalorean Catholics and few of their friends celebrated the Nativity feast under the banner of the Mangalorean Catholic Association of Sydney on Sunday September 30. The feast and the celebrations were held in the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Seven Hills. It was an excellent turn out in spite of the long week-end and other events occurring in Sydney on that day.

Fr Clifford D’Souza offered the solemn mass.  In his homily he mentioned as how Mother Mary’s feast was celebrated in all parts of the world resulting in increased devotion to Mother Mary and thereby uniting communities all over the world. Soon after mass Fr Clifford blessed the new corn which was specially brought from Mangalore.  The choir sang traditional melodious nativity hymns.

Celebrations followed soon after. MC Ryan Sequeira commenced the proceedings.  Opening remarks and welcome was made by George Pinto, president of MCAS. The age-old tradition of offering of the flowers to Mother Mary’s statue was done by little children. During this time the choir sang “Sakkod Sangatha Melleam.” This was followed by sharing of coconut milk (roce) containing the blessed corn, another tradition of the Nativity feast. The statue of our Lady was decorated with sugarcanes, flowers and lights.

The audience included quite some new members and also included Mangalorean visitors from UK, Canada and India.  For the first time a cultural programme was included.  Colleen Tauro and Vidya performed a short dance which was well-appreciated with young kids watching it with great enthusiasm.  

Luncheon soon followed with typical delicious Mangalorean menu of pork sorpetel, mutton stew, sannas, pulav rice, channas, cucumber salad and assorted pickles. The dessert of course was the favourite ‘vorn.’  All these dishes were prepared by the members and their families.

Stanley D’Cruz, social secretary then spoke to the audience.  He briefly re-capped the past four events of the association and a short pre-view of the future functions for the year, a picnic and the Christmas dance. Stanley thanked the numerous members and their families for their assistance.

Superb music was provided by Craig Dickinson and Irwin Coelho. People danced to the tunes of many melodies tunes and Mangalorean masala. The event concluded with a raffle for three prizes. 

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