SKA London Celebrates Feast of Mother Mary (Monti Fest)
Report & Pics by : John Mascurenus
SKA London celebrated its 35th anniversary and the Feast of Mother Mary (Monti Fest) on 7th September 2014 in a grand style at the All Saints Catholic Church filled to capacity. It almost looked like a fairy tale with a large number of devotes of Mother Mary and supporters of SKA LONDON turning up. The flamboyancy of the guest priest, Father Orlando with his introductory words mixed with succinct and witty anecdotes kept the audience spell bound in the beautiful church to the background of the melodious music. The Mass was traditional and the hymns also were in Konkani. It was home from home to a lot of Mangaloreans. This is the first time SKA London has ever undertaken to celebrate the Feast of Mother Mary in such a grand style in all its history of 35 years. The flower throwing by children, the blessing of the new corn, the offering of garden produce, the orchestrated choir (Olivia, Elizabeth and team and Elvira on the keyboard - all gave the look and feel of a celebration that started well and ended well. Everything was meticulously planned and aptly executed.
President Ron Rodrigues gave his heartfelt thanks firstly for the entire audience for attending the celebration of the Monti Fest. He specially thanked the choir singers for their effortless and melodious singing of hymns which accompanied the Mass Service. He also extended his profound thanks to all who helped to organise the entire event. He urged the devotees to continue attending the Feast of Nativity (Monti Fest) every year in the future.
The lunch that followed again planned for bringing the traditional flavour back to the community and consisted of no less than 7 types of vegetables (Thendli and chane, Karathen, Alun Dento, Korumb, Bhenda, Sango, Gosalen) beautifully spiced up and accompanied by boiled rice and sannas (steamed over a thondor). The dessert that signalled the end of the lunch was really out of this world, was Vorn mixed with cardamoms and cashew nuts. The seasonal and traditional sugarcane was not forgotten and some really showed the strength of their teeth by gnawing through them just like they do in Mangalore. A god quantity of garden produce which was donated by well wishers was auctioned off the American style, in the dining area. Mary Rodrigues was the successful bidder and won the table-full of vegetables for just £1.00 under the American Auction. The volunteers, committee members and office bearers seen happily busy with their own assigned tasks were conspicuously wearing the distinctive SKA LONDON badges on their lapels.
