Jebel Ali : Monti Fest celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church with grandeur

By Ignatius Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Jebele Ali/Dubai, 08 Sep, 2013 :  Grand ‘Monthi Fest’ was celebrated at St Francis of Assisi Church on Friday September 6.  The feast was organized by the Jebel Ali Assisi Konkani Community (JAKC)

JAKC had compromised to alter their tradition of having Monti Fest on September 8 due to various factors. However, the Friday attracted more participants than on a working day. Moreover, it was a traditional lunch than dinner that made it more meaningful.

 

 

 

Rev. Fr Clifford Fernandes, visiting priest hailing from Honnavar parish celebrated the high mass to an overwhelming congregation of full Church capacity.

To prepare spiritually for the Monthi Fest, a three-day retreat in Konkani was preached by Fr Clifford from September 2 to 4 in the Church main hall.

 

JAKC also spiritually prepared the congregation with a preparatory nine-day Novena in preparation for the Monti Fest from August 28 to September 5.

Children offered the showering of flowers to Mother Mary to the hymn of ‘Moriak Hogolsian’ at the conclusion of the Mass.

John Monteiro, president of JAKC thanked all the donors, choir group, those who helped directly or indirectly and contributed to the success of the feast. Especially thanked Fr Clifford for his two-and-a-half months stay in Jebel Ali.

Scrumptious buffet vegetarian lunch in Mangalorean cuisine with sweet vorne served by Canara Restaurant, Dubai was liked by all.