Doha: Sea of Devotees Gather For Our Lady of Rosary’s Feast with devotion

By Jerald DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Doha, 10 Oct 2016: The catholic community in Doha Qatar celebrated the (Parish Feast) annual feast of Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Friday, 07th October 2016 with great devotion and fervor. Evening as a sea of devotees gathered round the Altar in praising and thanking Lord for the gift of Our Lady of the Rosary as the patron of the parish. Thousands of expatriates from various nationalities joined the celebration and made this event a memorable one.

 

The celebration began at 2.30 pm with Living Rosary in the Main Church followed by Festal Solemn High Mass in English at 3.15 pm. The chief celebrant was Rev. Fr . Paul Koenig OFM Cap superior of Order of Capuchin Friars Minor(Custos)of Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia & Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia Gulf with Concelebrated by the residents Priests and as well as visiting Priest which included Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Selvaraj and Assistant Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Anand George Castelino, Fr. Rally S. Gonzaga,Fr. Joy William, Rev Fr. Hugh Gillespie.

 

The festal celbrations were preceded by nine-day novenas beginning from September 28 to October 06 as preparation for annul afeast to the Guest preacher Rev Fr. Hugh Gillespie took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days His homilies and preaching during the novena days was appreciated by one and all present for the novenas as the subjects of preaching were made interesting and interactive through stories, real life examples and demos. He took the devotees on a spiritual journey during these nine days with his powerful and touching reflections on the Theme: “Our Life, Our Sweetness and Our Hope: The Rosary, Treasury of Mysteries of Mercy”.  On 6th October (Thursday) After the Novena Mass there will be candle Light procession at the Parish Grounds followed by Eucharistic procession.

 

Our Lady of the Rosary Church Qatar Choir songs,Novena prayer English Handbook release .

 

After two years  allowed to put food stall in Qatar church. From 5:30pm to 10:30pm Food and Games stalls were opened by various communities and prayer groups Most of the food was prepared at home by parishioners which included various kind of dishes of all communities. It was also the time to tune up the taste buds as the feast also provided platform for the food fiesta and food stalls by various communities were right places where Doha foodies experienced the enriched tastes of the various cuisines.

 

 

The stall of Konkani Speaking Community comprising Mangaloreans and Goans. The Konkani speaking community food stall was the centre of attraction with traditional sanna-maas, quite of few south Indian chicken, mutton delicacies coupled with yummy desserts such as xira, khir etc. Ever enthusiastic Vivian D’Souza in cooperation and coordination with the Konkani Speaking Committee president and members put in efforts in putting up the food stall Especially those who are single here in Doha and depend on hotel food had an opportunity to taste some of the home made dishes.

 

It was a beautiful evening of feast and everyone had a fun filled day, which was entirely due to the efforts of the organizing committee, community leaders, volunteers, all people who worked hard for this event and surely it would not have been possible without the support and encouragement from the Parish Priest Fr. Peter, Fr. Anand and all the other Priests.

 

Mahesh Prabhu from India  and Radge from Filipino Community  the compere for the evening as usual was at his eloquent best keeping the gathering entertained with his witty comments and spot-on observations on the performances.Short skits, dances, songs along with spot games that were the part of the cultural evening kept the audience glued to their seats to the end.

 

Culture programs organized by under leadership of Vivian D’Souza in cooperation and coordination with Joseph from Filipino Community and Ika from Indonesian communities. Votes of thanks given by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Selvaraj.The programme came to an end with the traditional bingo organized by Nerry Alfonso.

 

The church was decorated with beautiful festive lights. The church choir made the event even more beautiful with the melodious hymns. There were food counters that provided an opportunity to taste various delicacies. Music program was an added entertainment.