Divya D'souza
Pics: Tony Augustine
London, Sep 9: The feast of Nativity was celebrated by Richard Lobo and Christine Lobo at their residence in London on Sunday September 7 at 12:00 PM. This feast was celebrated by their family consecutively for the 18th year in succession.
The celebration commenced with the welcoming of the guest by Stany Mendonca and Raj Francis Pereira who led the role of Master of Ceremonies for the entire event. They also specially welcomed the guest of accolade, the vigorous pillar of Konani Community, the Konkan Ratna Ronald Colaco who came all the way from Dubai to grace this occasion. Further to this they set the spirit of the feast amongst the assemblage on this occasion and also briefed about the agenda of the day.
Soon after this, the procession of Mother Mary commenced. This was led by Lobo and his wife. They were followed by their family members Andy Taylor and family and Keith Lobo and family along with the new corn, candles, bible, flowers and so on. All the children who brought the flowers with them to venerate Mother Mary took part in the procession. Altar servers Kevin Augustine, Raul Pereira and Gleston Mendonca along with Fr Agnel D'souza and Fr Vinod Charles followed the procession whilst the guest sang the hymn 'Sakkad Sanagatha Melieam.' After the procession the children venerated Mother Mary with the showers of flowers which they had brought with them to the hymn 'Morieak Hogalsieam.'
The new harvest was then blessed by Fr Agnel D’souza and Fr Vinod Charles. Dr Cheryl Lobo welcomed the assemblage. She gave a brief insight on the theme of 'The Nativity' and also highlighted the accomplishments of Ronald Colaco and his contribution to the Konkani Community. The festive mass then commenced in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The entire mass was uplifted by the Konkani Kutam Choir team with their melodious hymns led by Stany Mendonca of Sunderland UK.
The first reading was read by Keith Lobo and the second by Dr Cheryl Lobo Taylor. This was followed by the homily by Fr Vinod Charles. In his homily he summarized the puissance of prayer when you pray to Mother Mary. He said that his mother suffered from ill-health during his childhood days for a very long time and she was virtually in a critical condition. At this time his Mother had a vision of Mother Mary wherein she was instructed by Mother Mary to offer family prayers to her. On the advice of her mother, Fr Charles and his family members then offered the prayers to Mother Mary wherein his mother miraculously recuperated thoroughly from her sickness. Since then until today they have been a vigorous devotee of Mother Mary and all their prayers have been answered. He recommended the assemblage to perpetuate praying to Mother Mary with utmost faith and receive her benedictions.
The prayer of the faithful was prayed by Apoline Vas, Divya D’Souza, Gracy Mendonca, Helen Pereira, Sandhya D’Souza, followed by children Melanie, Sharon, Joshua, Silviya, Elisha, Elton and Cimona. The offerings for the mass were carried by the children Joycee, Jude, Justin, Renita and Rahul. Eucharistic Celebration was elated by the choir team. The melodious music of Alwin Dias uplifted the spirit and ecstasy of the feast which made the hearts of the congregation merrier.
Fr Agnel D’souza thanked Lobo, his wife and their family for being an instrument in amassing Konkani Catholics in and around London for the last 18 years. It is indeed an altruistic effort that we all need to apperceive he said. He also said that he was delectated to see a voluminous number of Mangalorean’s who have gathered at Lobo’s residence.
'Novem' was served to the gathering mixed with milk. All the children who brought the flowers, cut the cake and also received the gifts from Lobo and family. Richard Lobo then addressed the assemblage. He revealed that the feast of Nativity is celebrated due to the vision Christine Lobo had at the age of 12. Hence they wanted to give back to the community what Mother mary had blessed them with. Secondly it was the dream of Lobo to unite all Mangaloreans under one roof in London. He also said that he was impressed with the manifesto the Konkani Kutam has because they were very similar to his dreams. Finally he concluded that effective this year their family will award all the meritorious students who achieve a highest standards of excellence in GCSE and A’Levels every year.
Lobo then requested Coloco to speak a few words to the assemblage. Colaco said that he was overwhelmed to grace this occasion. He regaled the assemblage with his comical non stop comedy which left everyone with a pain in their abdomen. Whilst these regalement was on at one end the food was being served to the guests at the other. Matilda D'souza introduced the assemblage about KKL (Konkani Kutam London), its objectives, purposes and accomplishment. On behalf of KKL she announced that the National Level Competition is being held on November 16, 2014 and the Wilfy Nite will be held in London on July 4, 2015. For more details they may register their mobile number by sending a SMS to 07883024192 and the latest updates will be sent by the KKL team to you all from time to time.
As the delicious lunch was being served Stany Mendonca who has contributed ten Stan Musical nites and had also launched three melodious Konkani CD’s to the Konkani Community, sang a Konkani Song 'Diana Bai' to regale the guest. A mobile number game called 'Fastest Finger First' was organized by Raj Francis Pereira in which Rita Williams, Brazil Gomes, Zeena D’souza, Helen Augustine and Melanie Rodrigues won the prizes. This was followed by Housie Housie game conducted by Helen Augustine and Lloyd Desa. The prize winners in this game were Rita Williams (Jaldhi Five) Anitha Rodricks (Top Line), Simran D’souza and Diana Chettiar (Middle Line) Sharon Lobo and Shubert Dias (Bottom Line) and Ostin D’silva (Full House). These prizes were given by Lobo and his wife. Songs were played by DJ Melvin Rodrigues.
Five children were awarded for their meritorious achievements this year. Sharon Lobo (8 A stars and 3 A’s) and Austin D’silva (8 A stars and 4 A’s) in GCSE levels. They were awarded by Keith and Sushma Lobo. Lezia D’souza (4A’s), Kevin Augustine (4A’s) and Sonal Mendonca (3A’s) in AS levels (Stany Mendonca collected the award in her absence). They were awarded by Ronald Colaco and Andy Taylor and Dr Cheryl Lobo Taylor.
The vote of thanks was given by Keith Lobo. He expressed his gratitude and thanked everyone who directly or indirectly contributed to make this event a grand success. He gratefully expressed his special thanks to the KKL’s fourteen member’s team who worked arduous to make the event a successful. The programme concluded by singing the Laudatte led by Stany Mendonca and Christine Lobo.