Pics: Rakesh Pinto

Muscat, Sep 8: The Konkani speaking Catholic community of the Konkan region of the Holy Spirit Church, Ghala under the guidance of Fr Albert D'Silva, Spiritual Director of the Konkani Community and the leadership of Michael and Nirmala Goveas and their team, organized a fascinating spiritual ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Heavenly Mother, bless the new harvest corn flown from Mangalore and then, share the traditional Novem Jevann (vegetarian meal of the Nativity Feast ) of Monthi Fest.

The ceremony started at the Grotto with the recitation of the holy rosary at 4 pm. At 4.30 pm, beautifully dressed children gathered arround the grotto with baskets of various flowers. The blessing of the Bambino (Statue of Infant Mother), new corn brought from Mangaluru and holy pictures was performed by Fr Sunil D'Souza, Fr Marian Miranda and Fr Albert D'Silva, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church. When the choir sang “moriyek hogoll’shiyam” hymn children joyfully showered flowers and honored Infant Mary.

After the showering of the flowers, the Holy Mass celebration was held in the church. Fr Sunil D'Souza, visiting priest of the Mangalore Diocese was the main celebrant. Fr Albert D'Silva and Fr Marian Miranda were the concelebrants.

The Konkani Choir, led by Canon D’ouza and Shalet Cutinha, presented some of the traditional hymns and gave an extreme spiritual grandeur to the celebrations.

After the mass, holy pictures, blessed corn and snacks were distributed to all the faithful and treat packets were given to all the children.

The program commenced at the basketball court with a beautiful tableau – titled “Mother Mary’s Birth; Salvation to the world” which was formulated, directed and script written by Leena Fernandes and Leena Baretto. The tableau had beautiful dances choreographed by Glenda Castelino. The participants were :

Angels main dancers - Melina Goveas, Lizy Barboza, Shanon Dcosta, Rebecca Pinto, Rhea Olivera, Kane Dsouza, Tablaue famers : Nathan, Clarita, Siona, Tanish, Ransley, Walwin, angels in supporting roles - Jeslin, Laura, Cheryl, Gloria, Ashwitha, tiny farmers - Ranish, Clarita, Rolwin, Shaina, Jonathan, Cleona, Nathan, Tanya, Macniel, Michelle, Reiner, Kavin, St. Anna Joachim - Tripti and Nelson Almeida, Infant Mary - Larissa Saldanha, Angel - Lawrence Dsouza, Adam and Eve - Raveena and Denis Cutinho, Mother Mary - Sunita Furtado, Chief Priest - Sunil Furtado - supported by Alwyn Fernandes; singers who supported the anchor -Keerti Sequeira / Joyal D'Souza
Music support was given by Trivan Goveas. Tableau performance was fully supported by Arif Gill, Sabrina Pinto, Cynthia Saldanha, Gracy Barboza, Jacintha Pereira, Praveen Sera, Peter Prakash Fernandes - Neil Fernandes,Richard- Talentz Electricals, Clarence Pinto, Wilson Kinnigoli, Allan Dsouza, Cynthia, Raveena Dsouza, Leo Saldanha, Lancy Saldanha, Philomena Mendonca, Meera Saldanha, Robert Saldanha, Loy Castelino. A brass band supported the program and the artistes were Jaison Pinto, Preetham Dsouza, Dalton Passanna -Trumpet, Lancy Saldanha – Bas Trumpet, Sandesh Dsouza – Bas drum, Melwin Lobo – Side drum, Joyson Barboza – Symbol, Sunil D'Souza – Tamki

Nirmala Goveas, an ardent supporter of Konkani Culture and Tradition in Oman, ebullient singer and well known Konkani writer, was the main anchor of the evening supported by Lavina D'Sa, Peter Fernandes and Peter Serra.

Jawahar Pinto, president of the Ghala Mangaloreans, escorted Fr Albert D'Silva and Fr Sunil D'Souza to the dais. On behalf of the organising committee he extended a warm welcome to the gathering. Traditionally dressed gurkars of the community, Michael Goveas, Stany Menezes, John Gonsalves and Edward Mendonca were welcomed to the stage by the anchor.

A beautifully decorated mother Mary statue was carried in a procession to the stage by the present Executive Committee of the Ghala Mangaloreans namely, Canon d’Souza - Vice President, Praveen Serra – Treasurer, Peter Fernandes - Cultural Secretary, Ruby Fernandes- General Secretary, Helen Sequeira - Liturgical Secretary, Philomena Mendonca - Coordinator, Joseph D’souza - Coordinator

A grand opening ceremony was held by releasing a rosary formed with blue and white balloons.

Eleven traditional delicacies were presented on the stage by Ranish, Clarita, Rolwin, Shaina, Jonathan, Cleona, Nathan, Tanya, Macniel, Michelle, Reiner, Kavin dressed in traditional farmers attire and delicacies were blessed by Fr Sunil D'Souza.

Philomena Mendonca, a prominent Mangalorean of the parish and gurkarn of the community, invited the gathering for the Novem Meal with Udhak and Pan Pod.

Praveen Serra and Peter Fernandes gave the audience rib tickling comedy and Lavina D'Sa carried out the ceremony of honoring of the children in the community.

Helen Sequeira presented a superb act of Mother Teresa which mesmerized the audience
The Konkani speaking community had prepared delicious Novem Jevaann with various vegetarian delicacies. People enjoyed the traditional meal and joyfully wished each other – Bhagi Monthi Fest Tumkam.

The Ghala Konkani community leaders Michael Goveas, Nirmala Goveas, John Gonsalves and many others had worked hard to organize such a grand function in their parish.