Media Release
Sydney, Sep 22: The Mangalorean Catholic Association of Sydney (MCAS) Inc hosted its annual celebration of the Nativity of Our Lady, popularly known as Monthi Fest on Sunday, September 14. Blessed with radiant spring sunshine and perfect weather, nearly 300 members of the community gathered at the Roselea Community Centre, Beecroft, for a day of prayer, tradition, and festivity.
The celebrations commenced with a solemn Mass, beautifully enriched by an altar adorned with flowers, palms, and sugarcane. The grotto of Mother Mary was also gracefully decorated, setting the tone for reverence and devotion. Fathers Velerian D’Souza, Cyprian D’Souza, and Dolphy Serrao presided, with altar servers Emma Pereira and Michelle Saldanha assisting. Readings were delivered in both Konkani and English, while the prayers of the faithhful were delivered in a heartfelt day by members of the community. In his homily, Father Dolphy inspired the congregation by reflecting on the three 'Mothers' close to every Mangalureans' heart: Mother Mary and our own mothers, our mother tongue Konkani, and our beloved motherland, Mangaluru.
The choir’s powerful singing elevated the service, their harmonies deeply moving all present. The Mass concluded with the children’s choir leading a heartfelt rendition of Namo Namo Moriye, a touching tribute to Our Lady sung in our mother tongue.
Following the Eucharist, the traditional flower-showering ceremony took place outside in the spring sunshine. Children carrying plates and baskets of flowers gathered around the statue of Infant Mary, while the congregation joined in Konkani hymns including Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriek Hogolsian. Led by Father Velerian in prayer, the vibrant petals cascading around the statue created a moment of profound devotion and joy.
The celebration then moved indoors, where the hall buzzed with energy and colour. Felix Pais welcomed all the attendees, and the master of ceremonies Onita Saldanha guided the programme seamlessly in Konkani and English. The lighting of a ceremonial diya by the priests and committee members symbolized Mother Mary’s blessings over the day’s proceedings. MCAS president Savio Monis addressed the gathering with heartfelt gratitude, reflecting on the community’s support over the past 17 years and acknowledging the efforts of the committee members. He also expressed appreciation for the generosity of sponsors and the hard work of volunteers who came forward to cook up a feast, set up the hall, serve food, and contributed immensely to the day's success. The MCAS committee members were introduced, including Onita Saldanha, Rowena Sequeira, Darryl D’Souza, Felix Pais, Lavina D’Souza, Rakesh D’Souza, Arpith D’Souza and Adeep Rego.
The cultural segment enthralled the audience, with a cultural mashup showcasing the talents of the boys, girls, women and men, beautifully choreographed by Darryl and Lavina D’Souza. The performers were met with enthusiastic applause. The segment concluded with the presentation of gifts and certificates of appreciation to the participating children, honoring their contributions in adding to the festive atmosphere.
An icebreaker game, brimming with laughter and energy, set the tone for a lively and inclusive atmosphere, especially for newcomers to Sydney or first-time attendees of the MCAS Monthi Fest. A humorous Konkani skit performed by Lexy Saldanha, Austin Goveas, Celine Goveas, Arpith D’Souza, Savio Monis and Kate Monis, had the entire audience in stitches. Meanwhile, Nelson D’Souza and Ranjith Furtado engaged attendees with a trivia challenge on the online platform Blooket, testing their knowledge of Monthifest and Mangalorean traditions. DJ Darryl D’Souza kept the energy high with vibrant music, ensuring that the crowd stayed entertained throughout the event.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the MCAS Youth Group which is more than just a gathering - it is a space where the young people of the community connect with their roots, celebrate traditions, and build confidence while creating a strong sense of belonging for the future.
This year also saw the recognition of participants and winners of the second digital MCAS Got Talent competition, which had drawn a wide range of entries earlier in the year. Trophies and certificates were presented to celebrate the diverse skills of community members. The judges were also acknowledged and thanked for their dedication and fairness in selecting deserving winners from each age group.
The much-anticipated lunch was a feast of authentic Mangalurean flavours. Volunteers and worked in perfect synchronization to serve a lavish spread of delicious entrees, followed by a buffet feast of homemade Sannas, pork bafat prepared by the community, chicken chettinad, a variety of vegetarian dishes, rice, accompaniments, and the traditional dessert Vorn. The meal received glowing appreciation from all guests.
The afternoon continued with the energetic raffle and housie hosted by Roopa Menezes and Felix Pais with gusto. As always, the proceedings concluded with the joyous strains of Baila, which had everyone on their feet. Behind the scenes, a large team of volunteers ensured the day ran smoothly, while Roshan Picardo and others captured the memories of a wonderful day with stunning photos and videos.
The 2025 Monthi Fest was a resounding success, blending faith, culture, and fellowship. It rekindled memories of celebrations in Mangaluru and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to preserving cherished traditions in Sydney. MCAS looks forward to carrying this legacy forward for generations to come.