Media release

Dubai, Aug 16: Like previous successful years, St Mary’s Mangalorean Community (SMMC) Dubai, a favourite Mangalurean Konkan organization of St Mary’s Catholic Church has made preparations for the upcoming popular Mangalurean family feast ‘Monti Fest’ with nine days Novena from Tuesday, August 29.

Every day’s Novena service will begin with Konkani Mass in the evening at 8 .00 pm, thereafter Novena and flower strewing ceremony by children to Ballok Mori at 8.45pm in front of the Grotto.

Spiritual director Fr Robert Lasrado informed that tradition of preparation of celebrating Mother Mary’s Nativity feast with Novena and flower strewing brings excitement for the children and nostalgic memories of feast celebration in Mangaluru for parishioners. Fr Robert has encouraged all the Konkan parishioners to attend all nine days Novena which gives an opportunity to express love and devotion to Mother Mary.

On Thursday September 7, on the Nativity feast day, veneration to Mother Mary will begin in the evening at 8.00 pm with flower strewing ceremony in front of the main entrance of the church and thereafter feast Mass inside the church. After the Mass, there will be traditional dinner ‘Novem Jevann’ to all. Fr Anil D’Costa OFM Cap from Mangaluru will grace the Novena and feast Masses.

Mother Mary's Grotto

Following day on Friday, September 8 evening, a cultural programme has been organized in the Main Hall of St Mary’s Church.

SMMC also has organized some competitions for children to mark this delightful event, details as follows:-

1. Fancy Dress competition (Solo for 2 minutes)

Any Biblical/Saintly character in the following categories:-
6 to 10 years & 11 to 15 years

2. Singing competition (Solo for 3 minutes)

Any Konkani song in the following categories:-
6 to 10 years & 11 to 15 years

If any parishioner is interested in participating above competitions, kindly register by sending email to montifestdubai@gmail.com on or before Friday August 25. Also forms are available in Fr Robert’s office and after the evening Konkani Mass of August 24. Forms can also be handed over to Fr Robert at his office.

SMMC Event Core Committee will send elaborate details of completion to the participants by email or SMS. Limited entries will be considered on first come first serve basis.

Competitions will be held in the St Mary’s Church premises on September 2 Saturday afternoon between 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm in the Mini Hall of the Church.

More details about Monti Fest celebration and competitions will be available on the Konkani notice board at St Mary’s church premises.

SMMC is an established organization of St Mary’s Church Dubai that caters the spiritual and cultural requirements of vast Mangalurean Konkan Community of St Mary’s Parish Dubai. Fr Robert Lasrado, the Spiritual Director of SMMC with the core committee successfully accomplishes various endeavors every year like Konkani dramas, sports events, retreats and other activities to keep the Mangalurean community of St Mary’s Church Dubai always united.