Report: Victor Moras
Photos: Santhosh and Leron
Muscat, Sep, 13: The Konkani Catholic community of St Francis Xavier Church, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, celebrated Monthi Fest on Friday, September 9 in a traditional way. Fr Marian Miranda was the celebrant of the Konkani Mass.
The day’s liturgy began with the blessing of the new paddy as the choir led by Loy Mendonca and Michelle Moras sang the melodious hymn, ‘Sokkad sangatha melyam’. This time baby Mary was showered by beautiful red roses provided generously by Abilash Sequeira. Odi and Sandra Fernandes had decorated the altar. The liturgy was made special and more meaningful as it was done by the community children themselves. Angel Pinto and Leron Suares did the readings. Roylin D’Silva sang the keerthan and Prayers of the Faithful were read by Nathan, Alisha, Anshu, Riyona, Avril and Salomi. The children had practiced well under the guidance of Anitha Moras.
An hour long cultural programme that included a prayer song, duet songs, dance, games and a comedy skit was coordinated by Victor Moras and Flurelle D’Souza and emceed by Anitha Moras. Fr Johnson, the parish priest, along with Fr Marian, graced the occasion and gave away the prizes. Latha Suares (current president) proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Marian led the prayer while Alphonse and Winnifred Lobo ground the new grains. The audience sang ‘Laudate’ to mark the end of the programme.
The speciality of the day was the delicious meal cooked by the community members. ‘Not a grain of rice was wasted’ was the general comment heard among the people. Community ladies such as Latha Suares, Margaret Serrao, Anitha Moras, Sunitha Vas, Flurelle D’Souza, Helen Pinto, Samantha Noronha, Winnifred Lobo, Gladys, Sandra, Clara Pinto and Reshma D’Silva helped in cooking the meal. Shreya Osta and Kevin D’Souza were thanked for the stage decoration and providing the traditional sugar cane and Naveen Serrao for arranging the music.
The tireless work coordinated behind the scenes made the programme a success. Victor Moras, Michael Machado, Rajesh Suares, Santhosh D’mello, Nelson Pinto, Abilash Sequeira, Odi Fernandes, Alwyn Vas and many others had worked for many days to make the ‘Monti Fest-2022’, traditionally beautiful.