Nativity 2014 : Abbasiya Families, Kuwait

Report & pics by Wilson Saldanha Shirthady, Joyston D'Souza & Joy Roshan D'Silva.

Kuwait, Sep 12: Abbasiya Families Kuwait of St Daniel Comboni Parish Abbassiya celebrated the feast of nativity on Friday 12th September 2014 at Integrated Indian School premises.

The program started with general welcome by Deepak Andrade and Falen Castelino. The statue of Mother Mary was brought in a procession to the stage by Gurkars of the day Lancy Mendonca and Shanthi Lobo along with paddy grain and dates. Children carrying fresh flowers along with Fr. Noel Almeida, Fr. Xavier Marian D'Souza, visiting priest, Fr. Paul Melwyn D'Souza, Fr. Robin Lopez and Deacon Sylvester D’Souza went on procession to the Altar. Hymns were sung by the choir members lead by Konkani’s Golden Voice Ronny D’Cunha and Jasmine D’Cunha.

Flowers were offered and showered by a record number of kids in a very traditional way. After the feast message from Parish Priest Fr. John padipurackal, Mass in Konkani was offered during the celebration. Mangalore’s harvest Paddy grain and dates were blessed during mass and distributed to the gathered. Children were overwhelmed with rarely seen ‘sugarcane’ (Kobu) which gave complete enjoyment and excitement of feast.

A theme dance on Mother was the attraction of the day. Gurkars of the day day Lancy Mendonca and Shanthi Lobo invited everyone to have blessed traditional vegetarian dinner in Mangalorean traditional way by offering water in ‘Chembu’. Deacon Sylvester D’Souza lead the grace before meal. There were a row of entertainment programs like dances, hymns, songs, Jokes etc while the guests were served the traditional feast dinner prepared by M & M caterers on Banana leaves which was appreciated by every one for its unique taste with Typical Mangalorean Flavor. Various hymns were sung by the Choir group under the guidance of Rony D’Cunha. The Program was well compered by Deepak Andrade and Falen Castelino.