News: Kevin Dsouza
Muscat, Sep 23: The Konkani Catholic community of St Francis Xavier Church, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman celebrated Monti Fest on Thursday September 19. Fr Marian Miranda was the celebrant for the Konkani mass.
The celebrations began with the congregation gathered in front of the grotto with the melodious hymn ‘Sokkad Sangatha Melyam’ in the air, children as well as adults with plates of flowers. 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 choir sang ‘Moriek Hogollsiyam’. The faithful moved to the church in a procession with the hymn still being sung. The mass was truly grand in the newly built church with the meaningful liturgy and the melodious choir, led by Victor Moras with Michelle Moras at the keyboard. Wilson Pinto and Alwin D’Siliva organized the colorful offertory procession by small children and adults.
In his homily, Fr Marian explained the birth of Mother Mary and the inception of Monti fest. We were reminded by the priest of our childhood days when we all gathered as one family with the elder placing the blessed grains on the altar. Then adding the crushed grains in milk and distributing to all the family members and then all the family gather for a delicious meal with different variety of vegetables served on banana leaves.
Immediately after the mass, people gathered at the Catechism Hall, where short cultural and entertainment programmes were organised. The music was played by Kiran Dsouza. Pictures were taken by Joyal Almeida and videography was done by Santhosh Dmello.
Fr Antony, the parish priest, graced the occasion along with Fr Marian. The cultural programme began with a beautiful Konkani prayer song by the little children, coordinated by Kevin Dsouza. The president of the Mangalurean Catholic community Kevin D’Souza welcomed the audience. Tyrone Suares and Seby D’Siliva welcomed the priests with a flower bouquet. We felicitated Greeshma Rosario for her outstanding academic achievement. Prizes were distributed for the Marian Quiz which was conducted on the occasion of Monti fest. Total 33 members participated, out of which we had 14 correct answers and Naveen Serrao won the Grand prize. There were creative games for children conducted by Flurelle D’Souza and Reggie Rosario. A comedy skit 'Sach Ka Samna' was staged by Kevin Dsouza, Samantha Noronha, Kevin L D’souza and Joyal Almeida, regaled the audience. Thomas Noronha, was requested to carry out the traditional task of grinding the blessed paddy and Sharmila Suares 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. Loy Mendonca emceed the day’s programme.
The traditional meal was served after the grace by Fr Marian. The sumptuous meal was served by our lady members under the leadership of Latha Suares and Sunitha Mendonca. Everyone enjoyed the meal.
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 coordinator Kevin D’souza, members Tyrone Suares, Victor Moras, Michael Machado, Loy Mendonca, Valerian Rego, Naveen Serrao, Flurelle D’souza and Latha Suares. Victor Moras proposed the vote of thanks and the coordinator thanked the sponsors, volunteers and everyone who had worked tirelessly to make the day a memorable one.