Sydney: Mangaloreans Celebrate Nativity Feast With Gaiety 
By Stanley D’Cruz
Daijiworld Media Network—Sydney (RD/CN)
 
Sydney, Sep 22: Under the auspices of the Mangalorean Catholic Association of Sydney (MCAS), a large number of Mangaloreans in Sydney celebrated Monthi Fest on Sunday September 19 at the Harrington Hall, Our Lady of Dolours parish, Chatswood, here.
 
Fr Joseph Rebello, the only Mangalorean priest in Sydney, celebrated the Holy Mass in the church.
 
The Holy Mass was complimented by excellent music and a choir group led by Marsha Rodricks and Joylene Moras. The choir also sang traditional Konkani hymns.
 
Fr Rebello, in his homily, spoke about the virtues and significance of Mother Mary in the Catholic Church and Her role in the family.

Scripture readings and the prayers of the faithful were read by the youth.  The little children presented a bunch of fresh vegetables and fruits as offerings.
 
Thereafter, the celebrations commenced at Harrington Hall.  The children showered flowers on Mother Mary’s statue, a tradition that is still followed all over the world. 
 
Fr Paul Finucane, parish priest of OLD, blessed the freshly processed coconut milk and new paddy sheaves especially flown in from India. 
 
All the attendees lined up in a procession to partake of these offerings.
 
MCAS president Stanley D’Cruz introduced Amit Dasgupta, the Indian Consul General in Sydney, to the gathering. 
 
Dasgupta thanked D’Cruz and the committee for the development of MCAS into a strong and vibrant organization and urged MCAS to promote itself in the wider local community by way of tradition, culture, and food.
 
Entertainment and games followed soon after, and these were superbly complimented by songs and music played by Craig Dickinson.  The highlight of the celebrations was the enactment of the short and hilarious Konkani skit ‘Dolla’.  Joylene Moras, Ryan Sequiera, Michael Rodrigues, and Reon Rebello, acted in this skit. This was well appreciated by the audience.
 
The authentic Mangalorean cuisine buffet lunch was then served.  The members of the association had cooked this food. The menu consisted of ‘Baffat’ pork, chicken curry, ‘sannas’, ‘pulao’, sprouted ‘moong’, beans, salad, cabbage, assorted pickles, snacks and traditional sweet dish ‘Vorn’. 
 
The music continued and the members kept dancing. Craig and Joylene then entertained the crowd with Konkani Baila music. Other activities included ‘Housie’. Talent and fancy dress contests for children were also held and many children participated in these events.
 
D’Cruz welcomed the gathering and explained the significance and the history of Monthi Feast and requested Mangaloreans to strengthen MCAS further.  Ryan Sequeira compered the programme.
 
Social secretary Freddie Pereira then proposed the vote of thanks; he thanked everyone who made this event a great success as well as  all the volunteers who cooked the sumptuous food.