Mumbai: Konkani Community of Marol parish celebrates Monti Fest

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 18 Sep 2016: Nostalgia was in the air, for the Konkani Catholic community of St John the Evangelist Church, Marol, here on Saturday September 10. St John Konkani community and Couples for Christ (CFC) jointly celebrated ‘Monti Fest,’ feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary.

 

Festivities began at 5.00pm with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Konkani, by Fr Abraham D’Souza followed by a procession by the flower-bearing children to the school Auditorium. Flowers were showered on Infant Mary, to the accompaniment of hymns.

 

 

Stage was set for the presentation of the cultural programme. Ida Pinto welcomed the guests. Claude Monteiro and Veena Monteiro offered the traditional Paan-Pod-God-Udhak (beetle leaves and arecanuts, jaggery and water) to the guests.

 

Cultural extravaganza included a prayer dance by Riona Pinto, Jenifer Pais and Sara D’Souza, action song by a group of small children, followed by a group song by the St John Konkani choir group. Three comedy skits were presented by Walter Lasrado, Augustine Soares, Thomas Pereira, Hilda Pereira, Sunita Soares and Rita D’Souza sending peels of laughter among the audience. Eighteen children performed a beautiful group dance and a team of 4 Konkani Youth Miss Andrea Soares, Asmita Soares, Hezita Pereira and Annarel D’Silva had the audience sway to the tune of ‘Aaz Mhozo Ugdas Patim Patim Veta’ (Down the Memory Lane).   

 

Fr Abraham D’Souza SVD, guest of honor, explained the importance of Monti Fest, Konkani culture and traditions.

 

Fr Clement D’Lima, parish priest appreciated the community spirit of the Konkani Catholic community of the parish.  

 

Fr Glen blessed the food with the prayer of ‘Grace Before Meals.’ Augustine Soares, CFC head and president of St John Konkani community proposed the vote of thanks. Wilson Pinto compered the programme. Fr Alban D’souza was present for the programme.

 

The program was a grand success with the active support of the members. The contingent included Augustine and Sunita Soares, James and Telma D’Sa, Thomas and Hilda Pereira, Walter and Leena Lasrado, Claudy and Veera Monteiro, Gretta and Dennis D’Silva, Ida and Wilson Pinto, Mary Fernandes, Jessy Fernandes, Clifford D’Souza, Rita D’Souza, Alice D’Souza, Pramila S D Almeida, Rosy D’Souza, Violet Lobo, Regina D’Silva and many others.