Report / Photo: Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Sept 14: The St John Konkani Samudai (SJKS) celebrated the birthday of Mother Mary, Nativity of Mother Mary Festival 2025, with great devotion and joy this Sunday at St John Evangelist Church, Marol, Andheri.
The celebration began with Fr Andrew Roshan Alva, assistant parish priest of Vincent Pallotti Church, Marol, delivering the sermon. He conducted the thanksgiving mass, veneration of Mother Mary, and formally inaugurated the Monti Fest with traditional religious rituals, marking the Nativity of Mary as a coastal Karnataka festival.
Fr Roque Pinto (Shirthady) from the Diocese of Mangalore and SJKS spiritual director Fr Herald Quadros were co-celebrants at the mass. Prayers were read by Royston Fernandes, Leena Lasrado, Clevena Monteiro, and Priya Kanoji.
This year’s new harvest paddy stalks, grains, and vegetables grown by farmers was blessed by the priests and distributed among the faithful. Children offered floral tributes to Mother Mary at her shrine while singing hymns. Later, the Monti Fest was celebrated with cultural programmes at St John Evangelist School auditorium.
The programme was held under the leadership of SJKS president Sunita A Soares. Distinguished guests included Fr Andrew Roshan Alva, Fr Roque Pinto (Shirthady), Fr Herald Quadros, Fr Armstrong (assistant parish priest, SJC), Br Alwyn Correa, and social workers Leo Fernandes Jerimeri, Cyril Castelino, Diana Castelino, among others. Founder president Mary Fernandes cut the cake along with office bearers to mark the 10th Anniversary of SJKS.
The gathering began with condolence prayers for late Stephen Lewis, Fr Edward Lobo and others, with Lawrence D’Souza (Kemmannu) delivering the condolence message. Later, musician S Kingston, prize-winning children, members, and sponsors were honoured by the office-bearers.
Office-bearers present included vice president Jessy Fernandes, general secretary Lavina Padinjaratal, treasurer Thelma D’Sa, joint secretary John Lobo, joint treasurer Jaya Veera C. Monteiro, legal advisor Lawrence D’Souza (Kemmannu), and executive committee members Edwin Augustine Soares, Thomas Pereira, James Prakash D’Sa, Alice Baptist D’Souza, Claudy Francis Monteiro, Gretta Denis D’Silva, Hilda Victor Mathias, Violet Aulis Lobo, Prema Prameela Yalangi, Joy Mendes, Glen Dias, Sebastina Soares, and many others.
The event began with music by children. Throughout the evening, members and children presented group dances, songs, various cultural dances, masala dance, skits, and traditional performances. A short play titled "Express Love", directed by Lawrence D’Souza (Kemmannu) and enacted by John Lobo, Agnes Lobo, and Glen D’Souza entertained the audience.
Victor Mathias and Hilda Mathias extended traditional hospitality by offering betel leaves, areca nut, jaggery and water. SJKS vice president Hilda Pereira delivered the welcome speech, Joe D’Silva compered the event, and Sunita A Soares proposed the vote of thanks.
The vegetarian festive meal prepared for Monti Fest was blessed by Fr Roque Pinto. The celebration concluded with the traditional community meal.