Oman United Pangalites Celebrate Nativity Fest

By Lavina D’ Sa
Pics: Sunil D'Sa

Muscat, Sep 21: The feast of  the nativity of our Blessed Virgin Mary, “Monti Fest” has always been a feast to look forward to, for the people of Pangla Parish because, it is not only an occasion for family reunions but also a feast that celebrates the brotherhood among the parishioners  by organizing  a day filled with programmes at the St. John Evangelist   church premises.        

The Pangalites in Muscat met on the  19th of September 2008 at 7p.m. at the Queen’s restaurant in Al-Khuwair  to recreate the same magic of this feast with memories of the celebration that they had  at home .

The programme began with Stany Jovin Menezes welcoming the gathering and introducing them to the theme of the day. He then called upon Melwin Menezes ,the compere for the day to take in-charge of the programme. The devotion to our Mother Mary commenced with the singing of a Marian hymn followed by the Angelus lead by Dalphine Saldhana an elderly guest who had come from Mangalore. A special prayer was offered by Violet Lobo for peace in our hometown .The children then showered flowers to the beautifully decorated statue of bambino while the elders sang “moriyek hogolsiya” .They were presented with gift packs for showing such great devotion to our heavenly mother.

The Novem , the blessed first harvest paddy sheaves were distributed and served with milk later on. The children  and adults wholeheartedly enjoyed the games that were conducted. All the little children danced to various songs that were played and entertained the crowd.  A grand raffle draw was also conducted  by  Prakash D’sa .

Valerian Noronha a senior member among the Pangalites offered “jevnak uday” thereby inviting the gathering for the meal.  The parishioners   along with their friends and relatives then had a rare opportunity to savor the traditional vegetarian family meal prepared by the committee members and served on banana leaves.

The programme came to and end with Sunil D’sa proposing the vote of thanks and all the members going back home saying “ fest gammat jalem”.