Report by: Cynthia Goveas
Pictures by: Lovelyn Vincent Dmello
Sharjah, Sep 19: The Konkan Community of Sharjah St Michaels Church celebrated the Feast of Nativity on Thursday, 11th September 2014 with religious fervor, traditional cultural show and fellowship. More than 2500 strong community members joined hands together to celebrate the feast which is widely known as Monthi Fest.
Leading up to the feast day, A 9 day’s novena including 4 days of Konkani spiritual retreat was arranged by the Konkani communitysupported by Konkani Prayer group. Fr Anil Fernades,of Divine call center Mulki, Mangalore the SVD priest who came from Mangalore left no stone unturned to keep the community members in prayers and spiritual wellness.
On Thursday, 11th September 2014, the event started with showering of flowers by children at the grotto of Mother Mary. Fr Anil Fernades lead the prayer ceremony and the children showered the flowers to the tune of “SokkodSangathaMelyaan.” Later the children and the celebrant priests along with altar boys entered main church hall With Brass band for the holy mass.
Holy mass was co-celebrated by the guest priest Fr Anil Fernades, Parish Priest of Sharjah Church Fr Annie Xavier, Konkan Community spiritual director Fr Rodson and resident priest Fr Felicio. Lancy Carlo, Ramiro Mascarenhas and team lead the choir during the mass and nearly 2500 community members attended this mass.
After the holy mass, snacks were distributed to the gathering and the Brass band played during the break while the stage was set for the much awaited cultural program. Master of the ceremony of the evening Godwin D'Souza took the stage and welcomed the gathering to start the cultural proceedings. Prayer Dance was performed by parish children. Then it was the time for facilitating the sponsors who had contributed to the feast. Mr and Mrs Lawrence Dsouza the Directors of AlRaien Metallic Const Ind LLC, Franky Lobo of Galaxy Star Mechanical works, Joachim Menezes of Felix Security Systems, Mr and Mrs Rock Rego of Arabian Falcon, Oliver D’Mello of Al Munasib Bldg Mat Trdg LLC, and Cynthia Ronie Goveas were felicitated by Fr Annie Xavier.
Parish Priest Fr Annie Xavier thanked the community members for their support in church activities. Fr Anil Fernandes blessed the new corn mixed in milk and same was distributed to the gathering. SMMKC Asst coordinaor Cynthia Goveas, thanked the priests, community leaders and the sponsors for their support and also delivered vote of thanks.
A song “Novensjeevansuruzatanovemjevanjevta” dance depicting meaning of nativity feast of Mother Mary was enacted by the parish children. Honoring Mother Mary, A Konkani song sang by our parish tiny kids was outstanding. Preema D'Souza, and Cressilla Rodrigues, sang melodiously Konkani numbers, while Godwin D Souza and Arun Carlo rendered popular Konkani numbers to the much appreciation of crowd. The young Joyston and Team, Qini Braganza and team (Goan Dance) enthralled the crowd with two group dances. SannuMonis and Team enacted jokes, made the crowd enjoy more.The program was ended with traditional “Novem Jevan” fellowship.