Media Release

Toronto, Sep 26: The Konkan Organisation of Toronto (KOT) once again celebrated its seventh annual feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with holy mass at St Thomas The Apostle Church in Markham, ON.

The eucharistic celebration commenced with a melodious choir, accompanied by talented musicians, singing the entrance hymn ‘Sonthos Bhorith Kaalzan.’

The main celebrant was Fr Edwin D’Souza who concelebrated the mass with deacon Terence Rebello. The offertory procession included corn stalks, baskets of vegetables and fruits in keeping with the theme of the new harvest.

Following mass, the Knights of Columbus honor guard led the congregation in a procession around the premises of the church grounds. The choir sang the traditional 'Sokkodd Sangata Melleam' and 'Moriek Hogollsiam' as everyone sang praises to Mama Mary, while carrying her statue. The children honored the statue of Our Lady with the showering of flowers. Following the showering, everyone received a treat of ‘chana and coconut’ in keeping with tradition from back home.

The cultural programme was followed immediately at the church hall which was packed to capacity of about 250 guests. The evening commenced with a warm welcome extended by our very gracious master of ceremonies, Nelson Vaz. He introduced the executive committee with grandeur as they snaked their way through the enthusiastic crowd and danced all the way to the center stage.

Mona Menezes, the vice president of KOT, welcomed the guests, which was followed by a message by the vibrant president of KOT, Melwin Lobo, who very briefly spoke about the objectives and goals of the Konkan Organization of Toronto.

Thereafter, the celebrations continued with the blessing of the new harvest (Novem) by Father Edwin D’Souza. As done in past years, one member from each table was invited to come forward and take a jug of 'Novem' (a delicious sweetened milk drink containing crushed powdered paddy) to share with other members at the table.
Snacks and soft drinks were provided at each table. Diana Serpes had the guests singing and clapping as she kicked off the entertainment programme and enthralled the audience with her rendition of 'Bandra Festak'. Keeping the tempo going, everyone participated in a group game and built up their appetites, before reciting the grace. An authentic traditional vegetarian Mangalurean buffet was prepared by none other than Hubert D’Mello of Udupi Palace Restaurant fame in Toronto.

Throughout the evening, the emcee engaged the audience with Monti-fest trivia questions and handed out loads of spot prizes, raffle prizes and door prizes.

This year’s KOT scholarship award of $250 was generously sponsored by Dr Carol Castelino to a student either attending/beginning university this fall. The recipient of the 2018 KOT Scholarship Award was Mitch Lobo.

Diana Serpes once again continued to entertain the guests with a Konkani song, followed by a comedy skit performed by Melwin Lobo, Antony Castelino and Myra D’Souza, that left the audience in splits.

The evening drew to a close as the guests hit the dance floor to the foot stomping music provided by DJ Savio D'Souza, thus concluding the 2018 Monti-fest celebrations here in Toronto.

A big God bless to the Konkan Community around the world from the executive members of the Konkan Organization of Toronto.