Media Release
Muscat, Sep 14: The birth of Mother Mary or the “Monthi Saibinnichem Festh” is one feast that is celebrated in great grandeur all over the world by the Konkani community of Mangaluru. It is a day when all reminisce the beautiful memories of celebrating this Nativity feast as a ‘family feast’ with our near and dear ones with much glory and Pomp.
Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community (GMCC) Muscat, Oman with the aim of preserving the rich culture and heritage of Mangaluru, held the Monthi Fest celebration on Saturday, September 9th at The Holy Spirit Church, Ghala. Thru the guidance of our Konkani Spiritual Director and Parish Priest of Ruwi, Rev Fr Stephen Lewis OFM Cap, concelebrated with Parish Priest of Ghala, Fr George Vadukutt and Fr Catalino Miranda the high mass began.
The main celebrant was Fr Joachim D’Souza, OFM Cap Presently superior of ASHA KIRAN de-addiction centre at Heroor, Brahmavar,under the Provincial of Karnakata Capuchins. The celebration commenced with a nine day themed Novena from 30th Aug – 7th Sep where Konkani community along with the children wholeheartedly participated in large numbers from near and far bringing fresh flowers to shower on Mother Mary. Novenas Included devotional Hymns, Gospel readings, spiritual Homily and Blessed dinner for the faithful everyday.
GMCC has been celebrating the feast of Nativity every year with the sharing of new corns and blessing of the fruits of people’s labor through the annual ‘Novem Jevann’. The festal celebration service began with the Rosary at Grotto, followed by a small procession was led by Stino & Sonal Pintocarrying the banbino and flowers were showered to Infant Mother Mary with the hymn ‘Moriyek Hogollsiyan’.
A large group of children across all ages offered flowers to Mother Mary in the church Grotto and a sizeable gathering participated in the Solemn High Eucharistic celebration.
The new Khanshi (rice corn), newly harvested was blessed at the Mother Mary Grotto.
The choir being an integral part of the celebration, added melody to the devotion. The vibrant choir team sang to the Glory of God and the congregation actively joined their voices for a meaningful participation. The choir team consisted of Naveen Mathias, Sachin Lobo, Triven Goveas, Renita D’Souza, Sandra Concesso, Joyal D’Souza, Suman Mathias, Hendrita Colaco, Joel Mendonca, Tressy Goveas, Larissa Goveas, Juvan Sequeira, Melroy Quadras, Reshma Pereira, Evan Mathias and Nathan D’Souza were on Keyboard. Violin was by Laura D’Sa and guitar Johan Mathias. Meera Saldanha handled visuals and presentations.
After the high Mass, khanshi (paddy corns) and Novem jevann were arranged to the gathering. Goody Bags were distributed to all children.
The highlight of this year was kobu(sugarcane) specially harvested for feast day and distributed to all faithful as a traditional treat.
Monthi Fest was a memorable one for Konkani Catholic community at Ghala. The community beautifully and devotionally experienced one of Mangaluru’s most revered tradition far away from home.
The readings by Praveen Serra and Meera Saldanha and prayers of faithful by Wilson Fernandes engaged the spiritual enthusiasm among the congregation.
The executive committee members who represent Ghala Mangalorean Community, Ghala, Sultanate of Oman are:
Prem Colaco: President
Ophelia Lazarus: Vice President- Finance
Praveen Serra: Vice President- Cultural
Wilson Kinnigoli: General Secretary
Stino Pinto: Finance Secretary
Loy Castelino: Cultural Secretary
Alex Noronha: Internal Auditor
Suneel Menezes: Sports Secretary
Lloyd D’Cunha: Community Services Secretary
Meera Saldanha: Spiritual & Choir Secretary
Selwin Lewis: Techno-Support Secretary
Monthi Festh “Novem Jevann” prepared by:
Moong
Melwin and Zeeliya D’Souza
Sunil and Lavina D’Sa
Naveen and Suman Mathias
Noel and Reema D’Souza
Karathe/Bitter Gourd
Steevan Reshma Periera and Family
Steevan Renita Quadras and Family
Ronnie Sahana D’Souza
Tressy Goveas and Family (Assisted by – Ashok Pinto, Savitha Pinto and Joyel Sequeira)
Alsande
Alwyn, Asha D'Souza and family
Prakash, Josline D'Souza family
Reevan, Reema D'Cunha and family
Rufina Fernandes
Karamb
Lancy & Gracy Barboza
Pickle
Lancy and Gracy Barboza
Sonhe/Channa
Blanny Pinto and Family
Ryna Rodrigues & Family
Vorn
Ignatius and Celine Lobo
Polov
Henry Gracy Castelino
Rice
Rara Kitchen
Goody bag sponsors
Avith Castelino & Family
Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOC
Lulu Group International
Muscat Pharmacy LLC
PRAN Foods
Sofan Trading
Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC
Nabil Biscuits
Nesto Hypermarkets
Al Jufair Industries LLC
Al Mudhish
Edward & Philomena Mendonca – Oman Refreshments Company
Al Bayan Water
Coca-Cola – Ignatius Castelino
Philomena Mendonca – Support Sponsor
Al Reef LLC – Thomas D’Souza
Bags for Goodys - Lulu -Courtesy Philomena Mendonca
Novena days meals/catering support & Water
Tawoos Industrial Services SAOG (Tawoos Caterers) – Courtesy Ravi Bulsara & Team
South Express Restaurant – Courtesy Lancy & Anita Lobo
RARA Kitchens Ruwi – Ref Ramananda Shetty & Team
Water – Al Bayan Water
Water – Courtesy Edward & Philomena Mendonca
Water – Courtesy Elias Cyril D’Souza & family & Della Rashmi Lobo & Family
Altar-Sanctuary Deco and Bambino - Leena David & Silvia Fernandes –
Flowers - Courtesy Mangalore Ghala Friends
Sugarcane
Rajesh, Prem Colaco, Suneel Menezes
Support sponsors
Event Photography: R T Crasto
Audio & Techno: TALENTZ Enterprises LLC - Sultanate of Oman
Visuals: PHOTOCENTRE AV Solutions – Sultanate of Oman
The GMCC wholeheartedly thanked each and every family who sponsored to help them, volunteers, ushers, coordinators, Eucharistic Ministries, altar servers, lectors who came forward to support them in making the Monthi Festh event a success at The Holy Spirit Church, Ghala.