Pics: John R Mascarenhas
Mumbai, Sep 13: Konkan Taram Jerimeri, a Konkani association of St Jude Church (founded by John R Mascarenhas and three other co-members under the guidance of Fr Paul Rego, in the year 1991), celebrated its 27th annual day with Monti fest on September 9.
The association has been taking active part in all social, cultural and liturgical activities of St Jude parish for the last 27 years.
Dr Fr Charles Vas SVD - director of Sangeet Abhinay Academy celebrated the eucharist. Children carried flowers in procession and showered flowers on 'Maria Bambina' as per Mangalurean tradition. Corn heads 'Novem', were blessed by Fr Leonard Noronha parish priest St Jude Church, Jerimeri.
Choir master John Mascarenhas and choir members sang melodious hymns. Teenagers read the readings and liturgical prayers in Konkani well trained by Margaret, Juliana and team.
Dr Fr Charles Vaz SVD, Fr Leonard Noronha, Fr Gabrial Maria, Sr Veronica, Sr Florie, Sr Tejaswini were felicitated and Denzil D’Souza (parishioner) who had won gold medal in Maharashtra Level Power Lifting Contest was specially honoured.
SSC toppers who had scored more than 70% were felicitated with gift vouchers and appreciation certificates. Sweet boxes, snacks, sugarcane and notebooks were distributed to all the parishioners, along with blessed corn.
During the annual day celebration in the evening, secretary John Mascarenhas initiated the programme with lighting of lamp. President Walter D’Souza welcomed the chief guest Fr Nelson Saldanha, former parish priest and also Fr Leonard (director), Fr Gabrial, Sisters and committee members on the dais.
Teenagers Leander Menezes and Alita Pereira compered the programme. Flora D’Souza and Melony Cordeiro (cultural secretaries) with their team presented an action song 'Sthrio', children’s fashion show, youth Konkani dance, Fatafat Ullonvche Dadle by ladies, 'Gai' by Flora D'Souza and Wilson D'Souza and other variety entertainments. A comedy skit 'Hitlor Thokleche Bottler' written and directed by John R Mascarenhas kept the audience entirely entertained. The annual day programme ended with dinner (Novem Jevan).