Media Release

Salalah, Sep 19: The Konkani Catholic Community of St Francis Xavier Church, here, celebrated Monti Fest on Friday September 14 with great pomp and joy. It was a great day indeed as the celebration brought back memories of home.

Fr Marian Miranda was the celebrant for the Konkani mass.

The celebrations began with the recitation of holy rosary by Winnie Sequeira after which the congregation with plates of flowers gathered in front of the grotto to sing the melodious hymn ‘Sokkad Sangatha Melyam’. It was a grand scene with the statue of baby Mary beautifully decorated and ably sheltered by four attendants with a canopy.

Fr Marian blessed the new paddy and the faithful showered flowers while the faithful moved to the church in procession as the choir sang ‘Moriek Hogollsiyam’.

The mass was truly grand with its meaningful liturgy and the melodious choir, led by Victor Moraswith Michelle Moras at the keyboard. Michael Machado and Odi Fernandes organized a colorful offertory procession by small children and adults.

In his homily, Fr Marian explained how Joachim and Anna, parents of Mother Mary, went childless for a long time. They were hard working farmers and the offering of the yield from their field was liked by God and they were blessed with a child. Today, farmers bring the best yield from their farm as offering during Monti fest mass. The congregation was also reminded of their childhood days when the best flowers were plucked to be showered upon mother Mary during the nine day novena.

Immediately after the mass, people gathered at The Curry Restaurant hall, where short cultural and entertainment programmes were organised. The hall was decorated by the Goan community and melodious music was played by DJ Joseph.

Fr Antony, the parish priest, graced the occasion along with Fr Marian. The president of the Mangalurean catholic community, Kevin D’Souza welcomed the audience. Tyrone Suares welcomed the priest with a flower bouquet. Two children Nissi D’Souza and Andreanna Pinto were felicitated for their academic achievements. The cultural programme began with a beautiful hymn in Konkani by the little children and followed by an English song sung by the elder children with Zara on the guitar. It was co-ordinated by Flurelle D’souza.

Creative games for children as well as adults were conducted by Flurelle D’Souza and Loy Mendonca. A comedy skit 'Mobile Recharge' staged by Kevin, Samantha and Joyal, regaled the audience.

Allan D’Costa was requested to carry out the traditional task of grinding the blessed paddy and adding it to the ‘vorn’ to be consumed on the day. A Lucky Draw was conducted and attractive prizes were distributed to the lucky winners. The day’s programme was emceed by Victor Moras.

The traditional sumptuous meal served after grace by Fr Marian was enjoyed by everyone. It was a great meal, especially because some of the items were prepared by the community members under the leadership of Peter Sequeira and Latha Suares.

The organization of all the events was appreciated as all of them were timed well and coordinated efficiently by the tireless work put in by the committee members. The committee members for the year are Tyrone Suares, Victor Moras, Michael Machado, Loy Mendonca, Valerian Rego, Naveen Serao, Flurelle D’souza and Latha Suares.

The new coordinator of the community, Kevin D’Souza thanked everyone who had worked tirelessly to make the day a memorable one. The programme drew its curtains down with a baila dance.