Pune: Mangalorean Catholics in Pune Celebrate Monthi Fest

News and pics: Harold Richard Lobo
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)

Pune, Sep 15: The Mangalorean Catholic community in Pune celebrated the traditional annual festival, Monthi Fest, on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Our Lady Consoler of The Afflicted Church in Pimpri in the city. The gathering was charged with gaiety and devotion.

The programme commenced at 9 am with the showering of flowers on the grotto of Mother Mary, followed by the blessing of the new corn by Fr Paul Melvyn D’Souza OFM.

The concelebrated Eucharistic celebration in Konkani that followed, was headed by Fr Joe Mathias SJ, director NVSC, and spiritual director of MCA. The co-celebrants were Henry D’Almeida SJ of Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth in the city, Paul Melwyn D’Souza OFM, and the parish priest of OLCA Church Pimpri, Fr Leo D’Monte.

The lilting choir was led by the SVD Brothers, while Henry D’Almeida preached a stirring and inspiring homily, dwelling on the subject of how, by God’s gift, Sts Joachim and Anne, at a very late age, became parents of our Blessed Mother, and how our Blessed Mother became a beacon of hope for the mankind by being called upon to be the mother of our Saviour. He also dwelt upon Catholic Christians’ devotion to our Blessed Mother, recalling the famous Marian pilgrimage centres around the world and the churches dedicated to her in our own Mangalore diocese.

The cultural programmes that followed, commenced with a prayer dance performed by talented youngster Senorita Rodricks. Aloysius Saldanha welcomed the gathering and the chief guest. Ronald Menezes, secretary, read out the annual report. This was followed by the highlight of the programme, a hilarious Konkani mini play titled, ‘Amkan Lottery Uttlya’, directed by Bro Maxi D’Souza SVD and performed by other SVD brothers and member artistes.

Rudolph Sequeira, managing director of Ferrero (I) Pvt Ltd, and his spouse, Jeffrina Sequeira, were the chief guests of the day. They felicitated youngsters with academic excellence. Rudolph spoke of the unique identity and connection between Mangalorean Catholics spread across the world and the celebration of Monti Fest.

John Carvalho, cultural secretary, proposed vote of thanks.

The programme was well compered by inimitable emcee, Steven Lobo.

Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza said grace over the meal (Novem Jevann), and all the invitees enjoyed a sumptuous seven-course meal prepared by Francis Noronha.  About 300 members and their guests were present.