Mangaloreans, Goans in Calgary, Canada Celebrate Monthi Fest
Report: JerryMoras.com
Pics: Steven Lobo
Calgary, Sep 12: Mangaloreans and Goans living in Calgary, Canada celebrated Monthi Fest for the third time at St Mark’s parish, 5552, Madigan dr NE, Calgary, AB, Canada on September 10 at 6 pm. There were also guests from Banff, Edmonton and Lake Louise.
Monthi fest is also known as birthday of Mother Mary, feast of new first corn and very close to children as they offer flowers to Mary. There are only two birthdays celebrated in the catholic church other than Jesus Christ: One is John the Baptist and other is Virgin Mary. Church celebrates on December 8 conception of Mary and exactly after nine months, on September 8 catholic church celebrates birthday of Mother Mary.
Mangaloreans and Goans celebrate this feast of Mother Mary in unique way by honoring her as Mother of creator of life and with bountiful of new crops of the season through her unique blessings.
Feast Mass was presided by Fr Malcolm D’Souza, pastor of St Marks’s Parish. In his homily Fr Malcolm D’Souza spoke about reconciliation and healing. He invited to be reconciled by healing the wounds of sin and division.
Fr John Pinto, OCD blessed the new harvest (novem). The recital of 'Sokkad Sangathan Melyam' and Morieak Hogolceiam hymn was accompanied with offering of flowers to Mary. This was followed by the traditional Novem Jhevan at the Parish hall. Fr Gabriel, OCD also joined fellowship, Novem Jhevan. Mr. William Andrade aged 95 yrs the eldest member of the community shared about history and origin of Mangaloreans.
The choir sang hymns under the leadership of Cheryl D’Souza in both Konkani & English language and this time choir really made the difference with all musical instruments players. This time, we had formulated children’s choir. Jerry Moras, took initiative to arrange liturgy for the mass – new first corn, fruits and vegetables were offered during the mass. Augustine Perriera took in charge of master of ceremony for entertaining the guests in the parish hall.
Food was blessed by Fr William Monis and everyone enjoyed the authentic vegetarian food with sannas idlee, paisam, channa, ambar and many others which was cooked by the community members – Moras fly, Lobo fly, Mendonce fly, D'Souza fly, D’Cunha fly, Pinto fly, and many others contributed to make great meal enough for more than 200 people.
Priya and Neal conducted games and prizes were distributors instantly. Community enjoyed singing Konkani songs and Mando.
The programme concluded at 11 pm and all the community members made this Monthi Fest a grand success.