by  Dolly M Sequeira 
Photographs by Dilip Correa 
Daijiworld Media Network - Oman 

Ghala, Sep 12: The Monthi Fest has tremendous significance to the Catholic community residing in the costal parts of India, as it celebrates not only the birthday of the mother of Jesus Christ but also the new harvest. It is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in the Christian calendar. A day of thanks-giving by our farmers for the crop they have cultivated and for the showers they have received. Harvest time in Mangalore is the busiest months for our farmers, where they yield the new crop for the rest of year. Once the rain recedes they cultivate vegetables in the same soil,   fruits, vegetables and flowers are offered first in church and then an assortment of odd numbered vegetable dishes are prepared and served in catholic homes and thus it’s a moment of thanks giving to the almighty.  

The Parishioners of Holy Spirit Church, Ghala in the Sultanate of Oman celebrated the Nativity and the harvest festival on Friday, 11th September 2009 with devotion, pride and splendor. Angelic children, dressed colorfully carrying flowers walked to the grotto in a procession to honor our Mother to the accompaniment of 'Sokkad Sangatha Melyan" and “Moriyek Hogolsiyan".  With the blessing of the new crop of grain, the congregation walked eagerly in a procession to the open area. 

The Solemn Eucharistic celebration started at 5:45 pm and Fr. John Harry D' Souza OFM (Chief Editor of Kutmacho Sevak – Mangalore ) being the main celebrant along with Fr. Albert D' Silva, Spiritual Director of Konkani Community in Oman and Fr. John Fernandes, parish priest of Holy Spirit Church - Ghala joined as the concelebrates. In the homely Fr. Harry stressed on the importance of patience and role of women in the family.  The celebration was made more meaningful with the tunes of the choir members as they sang lovely hymns and refreshed the festival spirit among the participants.

As Monthi Fest is an occasion for get-together of families, Ghala Parishioners, organized an entertainment programme. It was heartening to see the community under one roof truly immersed in the event.

 
Fr. John Harry, Fr Albert and Fr. John Fernandes were escorted to the podium by Hubert D Souza, Michael Goveas, Nirmala Goveas and John Gonsalves and were then honored by the little children of the parish. Fr. Albert D Silva conducted a prayer and blessed the food specially prepared by the community people of Ghala. Children dressed in Blue and white attire walked up the stage and released balloons signifying festive mood in the gathering. A spiritual skit on the life of Sts. Joachim and Anna was illustrated by Leena and David Fernandes. Traditional Bolaiki was raised by Tracy Goveas 

As people relished the Mangalorean delicacies spread on banana leaf, a cultural program was staged to entertain the crowd, which had a mix of songs, dance and skits. Keeping up with the spiritual aspect of the event, the program commenced with a spiritual dance by Laraina Mendonca, Priyanka Mendonca, Michelle Gonsalves, Shavina Menezes and Janice Racheal Fernandes and was choreographed by Molly & Tanya Pinto. 

Vivian and Reena Fernandes sang a mind blowing song Ujwad Chandremacho,  It was then time for our talented team of actors to stage a skit.  The skit was enacted by Deepak DSouza, Lionel Castelino and Lancy Lobo.  This wonderful skit was directed by Konkani Kalakar Muscat.              

The next event was a treat for everyone as tiny tots of our community  dressed in red and black danced to the tune of Mama Mama Chandra Mama, the dancers were Meghan D Souza, Melina Goveas, Stacy Vaz, Chelsia Dsa, Lizie Barboza and Liza Dsa . The dance was choreographed by Glenda Castelino and supported by Sonia DSouza. It was a pleasure to see our budding talents. 

Priyanka Mendonca came rocking to the stage performing a dance to the song Ye Go.  Another rib cracking skit, which had the audience in splits, was conducted by Shalet Noronha, Helen Sequeira and Alwyn Pinto. This skit too was directed by Konkani Kalakar Muscat. 

To bring back the memories of Mangalore during the Monsoon, a melodious song Shirandariso Pavs, was sung by Shalet Cutinho and Peter DSouza. 

A duet dance on Eh chedva tujo mog haven kela was performed by Tanya Pinto and Deepak DSouza. This dance was choreographed by young talented artist of Muscat, Deepak DSouza. Hubert D Souza and Vivian Fernandes sang Nach Baye Nach. To depict the cost of Mangalore a dance was performed by the adults on Mogorayore.  The dancers were Nancy Vaz, Sylvestor Vaz, Nirmala Goveas, Avinash Menezes, Molly Pinto and Melwyn Lobo and this dance too was choreographed by Deepak Dsouza.

The third skit with the theme being Shikari was conducted by Edward Mendonca and Salu D Souza. This skit too was directed by Konkani Kalakar, Muscat.  A song Khel India Khel was sung by Hubert D Souza, Ronald Lobo , Peter D Souza and Vivian Fernandes. It truly depicted the team spirit of the Indian team.

Vote of thanks was proposed by John Gonsalves to the entire committee who was engaged in making this event a grand success.  The Bonanza draw was conducted Sunil, Lavina Dsa and Flavy Menezes. The program was anchored by Tanya Pinto, Glinda Castelino, Lionel Castelino, Anshul Pinto, Edel Andrea D’ Souza, Alston Moras and Lenita Lobo. Kudos to the organizers, choir members, ushers, lay ministers, altar servers, children and the entertainers who made this day a memorable for all.

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