News and pics: Victor Sequeira
Daijiworld Media Network – New York (SP)

New York, Sep 9:  Belle parishioners, along with their friends and well wishers in USA, celebrated Monti Fest in the city on September 6 with deep devotion and dedication to Mother Mary. About 75 people, who came from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, Texas and Chicago, gathered here to celebrate the birth anniversary of Mother Mary as per the customs observed by the Konkani-speaking Catholic Christians from coastal Karnataka.

In his introductory address, Fredrick Fernandes, president of Bellevision USA, stressed the need to follow the culture and traditions of one’s native place, even when one lives in a foreign land.
   
All the people present, along with the children carrying flowers, participated in a procession, singing ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melya’, and offered flowers to  Mother Mary by singing ‘Moriyek Hogolsiya’.
   
A solemn High Mass was celebrated with Fr Maurice D’Souza CSC (Main Celebrant) with Fr Henry Richard Vaz and Fr Norbert D’Mello, who concelebrated the mass. Fr Maurice, in his homily, touched upon the core family values that one should imitate from Mother Mary.  He also insisted upon reciting the daily prayers together as a family. ‘A family that prays together stays together’, was his message to everyone.