Media Release by Denis Gomes
Dubai, Sep 27: UAE’s St Mary's Welfare Association of Shirva (USWAS) under the leadership of president Vincent Corda celebrated Monti Fest or Nativity Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary at The Karama Hotel Banquet Hall on Friday September 25.
The celebration was a memorable one with enormous gathering of over 150 Shirva Parishners. In the beginning of the programme, Vanitha Menezes, a USWAS member briefed the gathering about the importance of ‘Montifest’.
The traditional celebration of Monti Fest took place with a procession headed by two of visiting native Shirva parishioners Alice Mathias and Prescilla Danthi. They carried the statue of the infant Mary along with ‘blessed Novem’, which was specially flown from Shirva parish for the occasion. Short prayer was conducted by Paul Menezes followed by showering of flowers to Infant Mary by children and elders as they sang the hymns ‘Sakkad Sangatha Mellyam & Moriyek Hogolsiam’. Novem mixed in milk was served to all. Children were offered sweets and juice.
The cultural programme began with a lovely dance from Karen Corda for "Dil bole hadippa" followed by electrifying performance from Selwin Mathias and Lisha D'Souza for "Twist' from Love Aaj Kal, Micol D'Souza danced for "Do it Well" from Jennifer Lopez , tribute to Micheal Jackson was paid by Cleon D'Souza, who danced for the song, “Dangerous". Canute Mathias was the DJ and also sang a wonderful Konkani song.
Manoj Menezes, Sharan D’Souza, Denis Mathias, Cloud D'Lima and Ruby Menezes presented short skits which left the audience thoroughly entertained.
USWAS Welcomed Daijiworld Weekly team Walter Nandalike, Micheal Castelino and Dayan D’Souza. Dayan spoke about the importance of community print media which will publish local, national and international news and issues.
Various games were conducted for kids and adults. The programme concluded with Housie-housie. Being away from Shirva, members of USWAS again were united as a family to celebrate Monti Fest.