Report: Prescilla Menezes
Pics: Joachim D'Souza
Muscat, Sep 12: "Sobith Phulam, Mogaal Kalzam, hadun aiylyavm Monthi Maye…" sung with one voice by the congregation, is a tradition followed for the past 28 years in Muscat. As every year, this year too the feast of Nativity of Mother Mary proved to be a huge family feast as formatted and led by the Nativity Committee of Mangalurean community under the able leader Henry Martis. Thorough planning and execution by all the seasoned seniors of the committee proved proficient in their own right, aptly supported by MCCP 24th team, accomplished this spiritual ceremonious event of the year, flawlessly at the parish.
The celebration of Monthi Fest 2015 in Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi commenced with 9 days Novena every day with Holy Mass novena, spiritual amelioration sermon and offering of flowers to Mama Mary, from August 30 to September 7. Enhancement in spirituality through sermon for the soul was imparted to the huge congregation in the church gathered as one family with Eucharistic celebration in Konkani, by Fr Mariyan Miranda – OFM cap, the visiting priest from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, currently serving as the parish priest at his service parish. On all 9 days, Mother Mary was honoured with offering of flowers in traditional manner accompanied by the melodious Mangalurean choir and Novena prayers. Treats were distributed to the children and faithful, as sponsored by the humble faithful of the Mangalurean community, in all their humility, with a feeling of thanks giving for all the favours they received. The grotto was illuminated in graceful white and blue combination underthe guidance and supervision of Veteran Henry D’souza,which uplifted the celebration mood.
Tuesday, September 8 on the grand day of our Mamma Mary’s Birthday, a voluminous crowd of Konkani Catholics gathered to celebrate Monthi Fest in all its spectacular glory, demonstrating great devotion to our beloved Mother. Continuing the rich tradition, in honour of Mother Mary, the children of the Parish carried baskets of colourful fresh flowers, all excited to shower them on Mama Mary placed at the beautifully decorated stage by Lancy Lobo and Sunil D’souza. This part of the ceremony and 9 days Novena was meticulously led by Helen Loboin co-ordination with the Ushers and Catechism ministries. Novem(Paddy corns) was brought from India for the Occasion by an ardent faithful, which was sufficiently catered all over Oman. Dilip Correa an ace Konkani anchor person well supported by an ardent youth Aileen Saldanah, managed this part of the event methodically. Especially the children in festive attiregathered in big number spreading the excitement of birthday celebration of our Mother Mary, set the mood right for the congregation to involve deeply in the celebration.
Solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 8.30p.m was led by Fr. Mariyan Miranda as the main celebrant with Fr Wilson Rumaoand Fr Sunil D'Souza, visiting guest priest from India as con-celebrants. John Gonsalves, President of the Mangalurean Catholic Community of the Parish(MCCP) welcomed the congregation on behalf of Mangalurean community. The Holy Mass was uplifted by the Choir lead by Maestro Apolinaris D’souza with Lanston Pinto on the Grand Piano, well supported by Dale Dantis and Venessa Rego the budding talents of the Parish. The choir rendering the Konkani golden spiritual melodies of yester years. The euphonious Konkani choir group: Valerian Peres, Dilip Correa, Loveline Rego, Issac Peter, Stany Menezes, Reena D’souza, Anitha Lobo, Prescilla Menezes, Philomena Saldanah, Freeda Suares, Wilma Peris, Florine D’souza, Flavia D’souza, Jessy Castelino, Jacintha Serrao, Victoria Suares and Flavia Castelino.
Fr Mariyan proclaimed the Gospel and the homily based on family values, a food for thought which touched upon every stage of life and the insight educated on parent-child relationship, which is most important today to lead a happy family life.
The ‘Prayer of the Faithful’ by the youthwas prayed fluently in Konkani which proved that Konkani Language has royally continued in its legacy.. The innocent tiny tots till the teens, offered gifts at the Altar which brought more meaning to the Eucharistic celebration.
Fr. Wilson Rumao – Asst. Parish Priest and the Spiritual Advisor of Konkani Community, proposed vote of thanks,remembering the Parish Priest Fr. Raul Ramos, Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Biju for their whole hearted support and prayers.He also appreciated and thanked the organizing Nativity committee led by Mangalureans, steered by Henry Martis, also well supported by the Executive Committee of MCCP Oman, the Choir, the Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, the Ushers, the Decorators, the Sponsors, the Church staff and all who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration of Monthi Fest 2015, in its utmost gaiety and grandeur.Fr.Mariyan reciprocated to the gesture of all who have made his stay in Muscat a memorable and comfortable one.
The Liturgy preparation, supervision and execution on all 9 days, as well as on feast day was predominantly handled by Mariete Fernandes and Monica Dantis; Valerian Peris for the Choir co-ordination & Stany Suares for Media presentation; Clita Crasta & Shalet D’souza preparing the children for readings and offertory; are to be applauded for methodical & systematic poised disposal.
Essentially, senior members such as Stanley Fernandes, Peter Misquith, Prescilla Menezes, and MCCP Executive Team, along with other dedicated members of Nativity Committee, did not leave a stone unturned to present this Mangy Traditional event in an extraordinary exuberant manner. At this moment, the organizers along with Spiritual Director, thank each and every sponsor for supporting the cause in cash or kind, and prayed the blessings of Mother Mary to shower upon them and their families.
Beautiful Holy Picture of Mother Mary with a meaningful prayer to our beloved Mother, as a souvenirwas distributed on the occasion. Blessed ‘Novem’, traditional Vorn, Laddus, Sugarcane and bag of goodies were distributed to all the faithful gathered.
The entire Mangalurean community of Ruwi Parish along with other community faithful flocked together as one family of the church to celebrate the Nativity of our Mother / Family Feast,which proved to be a magnificent jubilant Monthi Fest 2015 celebration.