Report and Pics: Naveen Frank, Sharjah
Daijiworld Media Network
Sharjah, Sep 9: The feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary (Monti Fest) was celebrated at St Michael’s Parish, Sharjah with great devotion on Thursday, 08thSeptember. The programme started at 6 pm with little children showering flower petals amidst the beautiful hymn “ Sakkadsangatamelyam”
The faithful then went in procession into the Church hall. A solemn Konkani mass followed. Fr Franklyn D’Souza was the chief celebrant. The concelebrants were Fr. JB Crasta, Fr Ani Xavier, Fr Rodson Goes and Fr Bijoy.
Fr Franklin delivered a touching homily on the values of family life. He sent out a powerful message to the congregation on the dwindling values of family life. Fr Franklin gave numerous examples of old and infirm parents being abandoned by their own children. He urged the faithful to respect the elders and take care of them during their old age.
Ramero Mascarenhas and Lancy Carlo together conducted the church choir that added to the solemnity of the liturgy. The new corn ( Novem) was blessed during the Holy Mass.
Soon after the Holy Mass, a cultural programme followed. The Master of ceremonies Roshan D’silva welcomed the clergy on the stage where they were felicitated by bouquet of flowers. The patrons and benefactors were also recognized and thanked for their continued support to the parish and the Konkani community in particular.
On behalf of the parish, Fr Rodson thanked the St Michael’s Konkani speaking community, the coordinator, core committee members, volunteers, the church choir for organizing the day’s programme.
After the felicitation programme, a cultural programme followed. Little children began the show with a welcome song and a prayer song. There were lots of other events of song and dance, both from the Goan and Mangalorean communities. Dances from the little ones and teenagers along with the Mando added charm to the programme.
Uttam Menezes, Chief coordinator of the St Michael’s Konkani speaking community thanked the Parish priest, other priests for their support. He also thanked his core committee members,volunteers, stage artists and their trainers, the choir, the patrons and benefactors and all other volunteers for helping him bring out such a beautiful programme.
Vincent Fernandes of Mogachi Lara and Arun Lobo were particularly thanked and appreciated for their tremendous effort in training the children and adults in the song and dance programmes.
Baretto’s band of men with their brass band kept the audience enthralled by playing at regular intervals their popular tunes and Konkani mando .
Fr JB Crasta blessed the milk, a tradition with which new corn is mixed with the milk and drunk before the festival meal. A sumptuous vegetarian dinner followed where all parishioners partook.
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