Media Release
Houston, Sep 9: Houston Konkan Catholic Association (HKCA) celebrated Monthi Fest on Saturday September 7 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City, Texas.
The mass was celebrated by Fr Joy James OSH assisted by Deacon William Seifert.
Infant Mother Mary, beautifully arranged on the altar by Lidwin Machado, was blessed at the start of the mass.
After mass, the community went in procession singing 'Sokkodd Sangata Melleam' to the adjoining parish hall to offer flowers to Mother Mary. 'Moriek Hogollsiam' was sung while flowers were offered by one and all.
As the attendees settled, they were treated to a delicious marble cake (made by Sandra D’Souza) and vegetable puff (pattis) along with tea (chai) and lemonade.
The evening commenced with blessing of Novem by Fr Sunny Joseph OSH and the community partaking in the blessed Novem.
Sheryl and Roschelle D’Souza welcomed the members and guests in Konkani. Kids from Woodlands performed an entertaining dance arranged by Nikita D’Souza and Sian Lobo. They were followed by another group of energetic children choreographed by Mariet Coutinho.
HKCA members from Sugar Land, led by Denver Pinto on the guitar, sang a number of traditional Konkani songs like 'Hanv Saiba Polthodi Vetam', 'Ami Doghi Sezara', 'Ye Ye Katrina', etc which brought back nostalgic memories of Mangaluru and Mumbai. Their rendition was so melodious that the audience joined in. Singing was accompanied by entertaining enactments by Sheryl Machado, Blendon Sequeira, Basil Kenny, Frank Saldanha, Valerian and Shalini Lobo. Commentary was provided by Anand Pinto while song selection was by Lidwin Machado and Denver Pinto.
The ladies from Katy performed a graceful dance choreographed by Jennifer D’Souza.
The Pinto family (Anand, Meryl and kids) performed a surprise family song and dance act.
President Vivian Madtha updated the HKCA members and guests on how the association is growing and future events. This was followed by grace before meals and dinner was served.
All the food was authentic Mangalurean dishes cooked by members from the food preparation team coordinated by Elveera Pereira. There was a sumptuous vegetarian spread consisting of rice, Kuvallo Curry (Ash Gourd), Karathe (Bitter Gourd also known as Karela), Tendli with Moy (Gherkins and Cashew nuts), Kadgi Sukkem with Chana (Tender Jackfruit with black chick peas), Kele Sukkem (Dry Plantain Curry), Alu Dento (Colacasia stems and leaves), Kolyaphoul, Pachwee Chana, Batate (Cauliflower with potatoes and green peas), Karamb (Cucumber salad with coconut) and pickle. Delicious veggie pasta was also served. For dessert, Vorn, a traditional Mangalurean sweet dish, was served.
After a hearty meal, the entire community stood and sang Laudate Dominum led by Lawrence Mascarenhas.
Evening entertainment continued with Katy members singing Konkani songs like 'Hanv Yetam Go Ghati Devonn', 'Shegunnachi Soon' and the golden hit 'Ajeeb Dastan'. Song selection was by Michael Moras and Maureen Crasta. Michael Mora splayed the guitar and Nicole D’Souza was on drums.
Denver Pinto and Leslie Mathias enacted an original Konkani skit called 'Souza’s Mobile'. Acting and dialogue were hilarious and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
HKCA event director Leslie Mathias delivered the vote of thanks and expressed appreciation and gratitude to the various members who participated to make this event such a great success.
The evening was compered by Denver Pinto and assisted by Leslie Mathias who kept the audience entertained and engaged the entire evening.
DJ Aaron Mathias provided foot tapping music and had a lot of people dancing.
Maxi Pereira provided homegrown sugarcane to take home, as people left after an enjoyable evening together.
The event was covered by photographers Katelyn Lobo and Roshan D’Souza.
Kudos to the organisers and participants pouring in on the Whatsapp group. Indeed it was a delightful celebration of the birthday of mother Mary.