Sharjah: Monthi Fest Celebrations by St Michaels Mangalorean Konkani Community

By Cynthia Goveas
Pics by Lovelyn Vincent DMello
Bellevision Media Network

Sharjah, 15 Sep 2014: The Konkan Community of Sharjah St.Michaels Church celebrated the Feast of Nativity on Thursday, 11th September 2014 with religious fervor, traditional cultural show and fellowship.  More than 2500 strong community members joined hands together to celebrate the feast which is widely known as Monthi Fest.

 

Leading up to the feast day, A 9 day’s novena including 4 days of Konkani spiritual retreat was arranged by the Konkani communitysupported by Konkani Prayer group.  Fr.AnilFernades,of Divine call center Mulki, Mangalore the SVD priest who came from Mangalore left no stone unturned to keep the community members in prayers and spiritual wellness.

 

On Thursday, 11th September 2014, the event started with showering of flowers by children at the grotto of Mother Mary.   Fr.AnilFernades lead the prayer ceremony and the children showered the flowers to the tune of “SokkodSangathaMelyaan.”  Later the children and the celebrant priests along with altar boys entered main church hall With Brass band for the holy mass.

 

Holy mass was co-celebrated by the guest priest Fr.AnilFernades, Parish Priest of Sharjah Church Fr.Annie Xavier, Konkan Community spiritual director Fr.Rodson and resident priest Fr.Felicio.  Lancy Carlo, Ramiro Mascarenhas& team lead the choir during the mass and nearly 2500 community members attended this mass.

 

       

       

       

       

 

After the holy mass, snacks were distributed to the gathering and the Brass band played during the break while the stage was set for the much awaited cultural program.  Master of the ceremony of the evening Mr.GodwinDSouza took the stage and welcomed the gathering to start the cultural proceedings.  Prayer Dance was performed by parish children. Then it was the time for facilitating the sponsors who had contributed to the feast.  Mr&Mrs. Lawrence Dsouza the Directorsof AlRaien Metallic Const.Ind.LLC, Mr.Franky Lobo of Galaxy Star Mechanical works, Mr. Joachim Menezes of Felix Security Systems, Mr.&Mrs Rock rego of Arabian Falcon,Mr.OliverD’Mello of Al MunasibBldgMat.Trdg LLC.andMrs.Cynthia RonieGoveas were felicitated by Fr.Annie Xavier.

 

Parish Priest Fr.Annie Xavier thanked the community members for their support in church activities.  Fr.Anil Fernandes blessed the new corn mixed in milk and same was distributed to the gathering. SMMKC Asst.coordinaor Mrs. Cynthia Goveas, thanked the priests, community leaders and the sponsors for their support and also delivered vote of thanks.

 

A song “Novensjeevansuruzatanovemjevanjevta” dance depicting meaning of nativity feast of Mother Mary was enacted by Our Parish Children. Honoring Mother Mary, A Konkani song sang by our parish tiny kids was Outstanding. Preema DSouza, And Cressilla Rodrigues, sang melodiously Konkani numbers, while Godwin D Souza &Arun Carlo rendered popular Konkani numbers to the much appreciation of crowd.  The young Joyston& Team, Qini Braganza and team(Goan Dance) enthralled the crowd with two group dances.  SannuMonis & Team enacted Jokess, made the Crowd to enjoy more.

 

The program was ended with traditional “Novem Jevan” fellowship.

 

Nativity Feast  2014 - around the world