Qatar KSC holds competitions in preparation of Monthi Feast

Press release

Doha, 09 September 2011: The Konkani-speaking Community (KSC) of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church of Doha has been preparing in full swing for the feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be celebrated with grandeur on Thursday September 8 evening. As part of the celebration a 9-day novena has already begun and renowned preacher Fr V J Menezes from Bangalore has been assisting the devotees in their spiritual quest.
 
Further as part of the annual Monthi fest celebrations, the Konkani-Speaking Community (KSC) organized drawing as well as Konkani hymn singing competitions for the devotees in the last week.The drawing competitions were held on Friday August 26 evening at the Seraphic hall within the Catholic Church premises. The competition drew a huge response as enthusiastic children and elders took part in big numbers. The participants were divided in four age-group categories. Edward Sequeira was the judge for the drawing competition. The competition successfully brought forth some hidden talents and also offered platform for aspiring artists.

 

 
 
On Friday September 2, 2011 KSC organized the much-awaited hymn singing competitions at the Seraphic hall. Again the competition level was quite high as competition received a very good response. The completion was held in four separate groups for both male and female participants. The evening began with the keynote address by Fr Anand Castelino, OFM Cap, the spiritual director of the KSC.
 
Guest priest Fr V J Menezes who is a musician himself, well-known artist, director, versatile actor, and compere Eddie Sequeira and Goan musician, well known violinist, John Fernandes were the judges for the evening. The solo, duet and group categories witnessed a tough competition as the audience kept cheering the participants. It was heart-warming to see the children participate with great enthusiasm and in large numbers too. Even the seniors’ category proved to be a tough draw and the end result suggested that competition was indeed fierce and winners had to be selected based on finesse and minute details.
 
Eddie Sequeira who spoke on behalf of the judges stressed on the necessity of participation more than winning and expressed his pleasure in judging such a good competition. KSC president Veena Rebimbus Pais announced the results at the end amidst huge cheering and anticipation both from the participants as well as the audience. The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks proposed by Fr Anand Castelino. John D’Sa was the compere of the evening.
 
Results:
Drawing Competition: 
Below 6 years Colouring the given picture of Mother Mary
 
1st   Nikita Rego
2nd   Joshua James Mathias
3rd   Nicole Mary Goes &  Waylon Mendonca
 
Above  6 to 10 years Draw and Colour any picture that illustrates Mother Mary
1st   Astra Julia Pinto
2nd   Aaron Avith D’Souza
3rd   Joshua Elvin Pinto
 
Above 10 to 16 Years Draw and Colour any picture that illustrates Mother Mary
1st  Swizel Pereira
2nd  Mitchelle Xavier Machado
3rd  Sanchia Beryl Fernandes &  Ashlyn Gail D’Souza
 
17 Years and above Draw and colour any Biblical incident depicting Mary
1st   Prabha Rego
2nd  Fathima Vello Dacosta
 
Hymn Singing Competition
 
Category  
 
5-10 Years - Girls Solo 
1st Ceanna Aranha
1st Astra Julia Pinto
2nd Elena Sandra Noronha & Reona Malaika Lobo
 
5-10 Years Boys Solo 
1st Joshua Elvin Pinto
2nd Nevan Kayne D’Souza
3rd Waylon Mendonca
 
11-16 Yrs Girls Solo 
1st Sanchia Beryl Fernandes
2nd Candida Rodrigues
3rd Elreena Pinto
 
11-16 Yyrs Boys Solo 
1st Arvin Marshall Pais
2nd Elroy  Velankan Pinto
 
17-40 Yrs Female Solo 
1st Caroline Aranha
2nd Eva Wilma Pinto
 
17-40 Yrs Male Solo 
1st Naveen Pinto
2nd Alphonse D’Silva
2nd Naveen D’Souza
 
Above 40 Yrs Female Solo 
1st Jane Pinto
 
Above 40 Yrs Male Solo 
1st John Desa
2nd Patrick D’Souza
 
Below 16 Years Duet 
1st Cybil D’Souza & Venal Rhea Castelino
 
Above 16 Years Duet 
1st Rupert Lobo & Kirthan Rodrigues
2nd Eva Wilma Pinto & Naveen D’Souza
 
5-10 Years Group 
1st Elroy Velankan  Pinto & Group
Clarissa Pinto
Astra Pinto
Aldon D’Souza
Ashel D’Souza
Sheryl PintoGishal Cordeiro
2nd Ceanna Aranha & Group
Naysa D’Souza
Nevan D’Souza
Sharon Fernandes
Shaun Fernandes
 
11- 16 Yrs Group 
1st Elreena Maria Pinto & Group
Christle Pinto
Linitha Pinto 
Richelle Andrade
Jessica D’Souza
Emilita Martis
Joylyne D’Mello
Nadine D’Souza
 
17 yrs & above Group 
1st Lona Pinto & Group
Lavina D’Souza
Jane Pinto
Emilda Pinto
Rinku Saldanha
Wilfred Crasto
Joslyn D’Mello
Denis D’Silva
2nd Namita D’Souza & Group
Venal Rhea Castelino
Cybil D’Souza
Anisha Lobo
Namita D’Souza & Group
Arthur Pais
Kirthan Rodrigues
Rupert Lobo
Remy D’Souza
 
3rd Queen of Peerless Majesty Group
Candita Fernandes

Fatima Velho Da’Costa

Valentina Gomes

Natalia Goes

Clessy Olivera

Gracy Quadros

Renna Pereira 
 
 
The Konkani-Speaking Community under the leadership of spiritual director Fr Anand Castelino and Vivian D’Souza Bondel has been rendering yeoman’s service towards the spiritual and social welfare of the large number of Konkani-speaking diaspora spread across the length and breadth of Qatar, the tiny oil-rich country of the Arab peninsula. Konkani mass on every Friday morning, celebrations of feasts such as Christmas, Easter, Monthi Fest etc on large scale, family gatherings etc have well been appreciated by the expats who mostly hail from Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai and form the crux of Konkani-Speaking Community of Doha.