News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Sep 9: The birth anniversary of Mother Mary was celebrated on the morning of Saturday September 8 at St Joseph’s Church, Mira Road popularly known as Mini Mangaluru.

Carmelite congregation Karnataka and Goa regional superior Fr Charles Serrao (OCD) offered high mass and gave a sermon. He blessed the new yield of rice grains, cereal grains and vegetables brought by farmers.

In his sermon, Fr Charles Serrao said "Mother Mary is a creator of family bond and the Mother who fulfills the prayers of devotees. Her birthday is a natural celebration filled with diversity. The value of family life is unique and respect to the mother is prominent among them. Family life is important in India. The respect to women is the ultimate respect to Mother Mary. Everybody should be bound by the life of coexistence. Let us celebrate the feast by expressing our gratitude to our mother," he said.

Guest priest Fr Mark Furtado, assistant parish priest Fr Joachim Rodrigues, Fr Diogo Proenca, Fr Roshan D’ Souza, Fr Lancy Mendonsa, Fr Daniel Christian, Fr Denis Misquith participated in the holy mass and
showed their respect to the mother. Donors and sponsors were presented candles as a mark of respect. Chief parish priest Fr Melwin D’Cunha conveyed his wishes on the eve of the feast.

Fr Charles Serrao later distributed the blessed corn to the devotees present. Thousands of devotees took the statue of Velankanni Mother Mary in procession into the nearby streets.

The feast under the direction of Konkani Welfare Association spiritual director Fr Melwin D’Cunha, association president John Crasta, vice president Sofie D’Sa, secretary Arun Noronha, treasurer Lawrence
Mathais, joint secretary Gaigo Rodrigues, joint treasurer Richard Mathaias and other office bearers and members was celebrated as per the tradition of Konkani Catholic community of the coastal region.