Monti Feast at St Peter’s church by SPKK Bangalore

By Simon Lasrado
Bellevision Media Network

Bangalore, 09 September 2011: St. Peter’s Konkani Kutam (SPKK)Bangalore, celebrated Montifest, the feast of Nativity, in St Peter’s Church, Rustum Bagh, off Old Airport Road here on Thursday, September 8, with a Holy Mass in Konkani at 8.30 am in the presence of a large gathering of devotees.

 

Fr Praveen Pinto OCD (Carmelite) celebrated the Mass. Earlier children gathered around the statue of Mother Mary at the entrance and honoured her with flowers. As the choir sang the Konkani hymn, ’Moriyek hogollsiyam’, the children showered flowers. Fr Praveen led a prayer which was followed by the blessing of the new corn (’novem’).

 

SPKK secretary Matilda Lasrado proposed a vote of thanks. Breakfast was served along with ’novem’ mixed with coconut milk outside the church. In true Mangalorean tradition, sugarcane was also distributed to all those who attended the Mass.

 

 

The ’novem’ was arranged by Capt Monis of Infant Jesus Church, Viveknagar. Flowers for the altar and sugarcane were brought by William D’Souza and Kevin Colaco. Flowers for the altar were contributed by Felix Saldanha and Robert Lewis. Many members contributed generously towards the expenses. Notable among them was Chitra Aiyappa. She also decorated the vases in the church. The choir which sang with enthusiasm throughout the service was conducted by Joe Vinod Mascarehnas and his dedicated team.

 

SPKK president Joachim Saldanha expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed and actively took part in the celebration. On the whole, SPKK could celebrate the feast in a very grand and traditional way with the support of all the members and their relatives.