Report: Melwyn Machado
Pics: Vigil Fernandes

Houston, Sep 14: The Nativity of our Mother Mary, Monthi Fest to Mangalureans was celebrated by TIPCA (Texas India Pakistan Catholic Association) on Sunday, September 13 with traditional fervor, devotion, zeal and grandeur at the church of St Thomas Aquinas, Sugarland, Texas.

TIPCA is an association of Catholics who immigrated from India, Pakistan and Africa and based in and around Houston, Texas.

The devotion started with the recitation of the Holy Rosary. The Eucharistic celebration began with Mass by Fr Santy Kurian, MSFS, parish priest. The readings were read by Samson D’Silva and Sheryl Machado. The psalms were sung by Amanda Bush. In his homily, Fr Santy emphasized the importance of Mother Mary as the centre of the Church and our family. Prayers to the faithful were said by Frank Saldanha. The TIPCA Choir gave an extreme spiritual grandeur to the celebrations.

Anand Pinto gave a brief history on how the feast was celebrated over the years, first by the Goans and later by the people of coastal Kanara. After the Mass, the Bambino of Our Lady and the new crop (Novem) were blessed. The community led by Chris Pinto with the Bambino of Our Lady, then proceeded in procession to the Aldridge Hall at the back of the Church, singing Konkani hymns “Sakkad sangatha maeleyan, sakkad lagin sariyan.....” and "Moriak Hogolsiyam" and showering of petals and venerating ‘Balok Mori’ (Infant Mary).

'Novem mixed with milk' was distributed to all followed by the delicious homemade food prepared by the Mangalurean community of Houston. Tendli, kuvalo, chane, moog, karamb, chicken, bread etc were some of the mouth-watering dishes served. Vorn was served at the last to the delight of all those gathered there.

It was indeed a great instance of beautiful celebration for Mangalureans and all Catholics present there evoking nostalgic memories of age-old traditional fellowship evident at the time of this festive season in our native homeland.