By Prescilla Menezes
Photography: Joachim D’souza
“Sobith Phulaam, Mogaal Kalzaam, hadun aaylyaavm Monthi Maye…”always
sung in jubilation by the congregation at the season, was befittingly proved to be a huge family feast as structured and lead by the Nativity Feast Committee of Mangalorean Community under the eminent spearhead Mr.Valerian Peres. Comprehensive planning and execution by all the seasoned seniors of the committee proved proficient in their own expertise, aptly supported by MCCP 25th team, and thus effectuated this spiritual ceremonious event of the year 2016, flawlessly at the Parish.
All getting ready….
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The celebration of Monthi Fest 2016 in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi commenced with 9 days Novena from August 30 to September 7, 2016, everyday with Holy Mass, spiritual amelioration sermon and offering of flowers to Mother Mary. Enrichment in spirituality through sermon was imparted to the huge congregation in Konkani, by Fr. Naveen Santosh D’Souza – OFM cap, the visiting priest from Ujire-Udupi District, currently serving as Asst. Director for the Postulant students for the first two years of Seminarian Vocation at Ujire.
The theme of the year ‘Virtues of Mother Mary’ was the basis of sharing by Fr. Naveen who broke the Word based on the theme that well connected with family values and modern life, a food for thought which touched upon every stage of life being lead today. The insight educated the congregation on parent-child relationship, evidently and eminently necessary today to lead a happy family life. Treats were distributed everyday to the children, as sponsored by the humble faithful of the Mangalorean community, in all their humility, with a feeling of thanks giving for all the favours they received. The grotto was illuminated in graceful white and blue combination which uplifted the celebration mood.
Thursday, September 8, 2016, the grand day of our Mother Mary’s Birthday, a voluminous crowd of Konkani Catholics gathered to celebrate Monthi Fest in all its spectacular glory, demonstrating great devotion to our beloved Mother. Continuing the rich tradition, in honour of our dearest Mother Mary, the children of the Parish carried baskets of colourful fresh flowers, all excited to shower them on Mother Mary’s Bambino placed at the beautifully decorated stage. This part of the ceremony and 9 days Novena was meticulously managed by the proficient committee members in co-ordination with the Ushers and Catechism ministries. Novem (Paddy corns) was brought from India for the Occasion by an ardent faithful Winston Peres, which was sufficiently catered to all the four Churches all over Oman. An ardent talented youth Wilson D’souza, anchored this part of the event methodically. Especially the children in festive attire gathered in record breaking number spreading the excitement of birthday celebration of our Mother Mary, set the mood right for the congregation to involve deeply.
Showering of the flowers ceremony at the outdoor stage started sharp at 8.30pm, as the gathered faithful sang the traditional melody ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melyaam” with the choir and the procession heading in reverence lead by Mrs.Prescilla Menezes the Parish Council representative of Mangaloreans at the Parish, carrying the Bambino, followed by the new corn carried by Mrs. Wilma Peres and Mr. Winston Peres. Holy Pictures for the blessing was carried by Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Philomena Saldanha. The Alter servers, Eucharistic Ministers and the Celebrant Priests joined the procession for onward ceremony and blessing in poise and devotion.
Flower Showering Ceremony….
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Solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the church was led by Fr. Naveen Santosh as the main celebrant with Fr. Marian Miranda as co-celebrant. At the start, Mr. Dilip Correa, President of the Mangalorean Catholic Community of the Parish (MCCP) welcomed the congregation on behalf of Mangalorean community. The Holy Mass was enhanced by the Choir lead by Maestro Apolinaris D’souza with Dale Dantis on the Grand Piano on all the days, well supported by Irene the budding talent of the Parish. The choir rendering the new Konkani spiritual melodies composed by the Music Maestro Apolinaris D’souza for the occasion enabled the entire congregation join in praising The Almighty and Mother Mary, especially on the feast day, and thus inculcated the ambience in pious and joyous feeling of praise. The treat of yester spiritual melodies was also rendered by the Choir involving the congregation participation in full motion, during the Novena Days. The euphonious Konkani choir group: Valerian Peres, Lovelyn Rego, Stany Menezes, Anitha Lobo, Prescilla Menezes, Philomena Saldanha, Freeda Suares, Wilma Peris, Flavia D’souza, Cyril Danthi, Anitha Danthi, Victoria Suares and Flavia Castelino.
The ‘Prayer of the Faithful’ by the youth was prayed fluently in Konkani which proved that Konkani Language has royally continued in its legacy and is catching up the popularity amongst the young generation, whether they live in or away from the roots. The innocent tiny tots till the teens, offered gifts at the Altar which brought more meaning to the offering and enhanced the Eucharistic celebration.
Fr. Marian Miranda – Asst. Parish Priest and the Spiritual Advisor of Konkani Community, proposed vote of thanks, remembering the Parish Priest Fr. Raul Ramos, Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Bijo for their whole hearted support and prayers. He also appreciated and thanked the organizing Nativity Feast committee led by Mangaloreans, steered by Mr. Valerian Peres, also well supported by the President Dilip Correa & Executive Committee of MCCP Oman, the Choir, the Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, the Ushers, the Decorators, the Sponsors, the Church staff and all who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration of Monthi Fest 2016, in its utmost gaiety and grandeur. Fr. Naveen Santosh who was already popular and loved for his orating skills filled with humour through daily homily, reciprocated to the gesture of all who have made his stay in Muscat a memorable and comfortable one.
Holy Eucharistic Celebration….
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The Liturgy preparation, supervision and execution on all 9 days, as well as on feast day was predominantly handled by Committee Members – Mariete Fernandes and Monica Dantis; Valerian Peres supported by Naveen Mascarenhas for Choir co-ordination & Stanley Suares for Media presentation; Clita Crasta preparing the children for readings and offertory; Helen Lobo and team for flower arrangement and management of offering / showering on all 9 days Novena and on feast day; are to be applauded for methodical & systematic poised disposal.
Essentially, members of the committee : Stanley Fernandes, Henry Martis, Henry D’souza, Peter Misquith, Prescilla Menezes, Lancy Lobo, Dolphy Frank, Michael Pasanna Prabhath Alva, Paul, and MCCP Executive Team, along with other dedicated volunteers of Nativity Committee, did not leave a stone unturned to present this Mangy Traditional event in an extraordinary exuberant manner. At this moment, the organizers along with Spiritual Advisor, thank each and every sponsor for supporting the cause in cash or kind, and prayed the blessings of Mother Mary to shower upon them and their families.
Beautiful Holy Picture of Mother Mary with a meaningful prayer to our beloved Mother, as a souvenir was distributed on the occasion. The highlight of the celebration was a gift of fellowship in divinity by the Nativity Feast Committee, through blessed ‘traditional Novem Jevan’ & Vorn which was served to the entire 1300 people who attended the Holy Mass and Divine Mother’s birthday celebration. Sugarcane and bag of goodies were distributed to all the children gathered.
Community Family Fellowship….
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At this occasion, dedicated veterans Mrs. Genevieve & Mr. Alwyn Saldanha, and Mr. Henry D’souza were felicitated befittingly with a memento for their dedicated valuable support and service over the years, to the community. The leaders of the community and priests shared the dais. This swift and short program was meticulously anchored by eminent Anchor & the President (MCCP) Dilip Correa.
The entire Mangalorean community of Ruwi Parish along with other community faithful and also from neighboring parishes, flocked together as one family of the mother church to celebrate the Nativity of our Mother / Family Feast, which proved to be a magnificent jubilant “MONTHI FEST 2016” celebration.