Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 9: St Peter's Konkani Kutam (SPKK)celebrated Monthi Fest, at St Peter's Church, Rustam Bagh, Off Old Airport Road, Bengaluru on Sunday, September 8, with a Holy Mass in Konkani, to a crowded gathering of devotees.
The main celebrant for the event was Fr Rahul Dexter D’Souza, main celebrant and accompanied by Fr Adrian Mascarenhas, Fr Jayaraj (parish priest) and Fr Deril Ruzar Fernandes (assistant parish priest) as concelebrants. The solemn programme started with the blessing of Novem (new paddy) near Oxford House. This was then carried in a procession along with the beautiful infant Mary’s statue with the choir singing the Konkani hymn ‘sakkad sangatha melyan’, while the children led the procession holding plates of colourful flowers into the church.
Fr Rahul Dexter D’Souza started the solemn service in church. Emilian D’Souza, President of SPKK then addressed the gathering and made a brief introduction. Throughout the Mass the melodious Konkani choir led by Joe Mascarenhas played a major role in enriching the spirituality of the event.
Before the end of the service, Janet Rego, secretary of SPKK in her note of thanks, appreciated the efforts of all those who had put in all their time and energy in decorating the church and all other associated activities therein. The SPKK felicitated the high achieving students of the Kutam for the academic year 2023-24 with a plaque and a cash gift. The parish priest, Fr Jayaraj well appreciated the efforts of SPKK in celebrating Monthi Fest in such a grand manner at the parish. Novem was distributed to all at the conclusion of the Mass.
At the grotto, after a brief prayer, as the choir sang the beautiful Konkani hymn, 'Moriyek hogolshiyam', the children and adults who had gathered around the infant statue of our beloved Mother Mary to honour Her, showered colourful flowers on the statue of our dearest 'Infant Mary'.
Novem mixed with roce was served in true Mangalurean tradition style thereafter. The gathering then engaged in fellowship and it was great to see radiant smiles everywhere. Children were perked up with the excitement around and there was an atmosphere of joy and happiness all around. This was followed by a sumptuous traditional Mangalurean meal. Sugarcane was distributed at the end and the children and adults alike were thrilled to carry it with them back home.
Around 140+ members and guests gathered for this and they cherished every moment of this celebration as this event reminded everyone of their good old days in Mangaluru.
Earlier, during the regular Mass the previous Sunday, for the benefit of the larger parish community, SPKK organized a ‘flower shower’ at the grotto which saw a huge gathering joining in and celebrating the beautiful occasion. Children were treated to chocolates.