UAE: Nativity feast celebrated at St Michael's Church, Sharjah - Album 1


Report: Preema D'Souza
Pics: Praveen Rodrigues

Sharjah, Sep 10: St Michael's Mangalorean Konkani Community Sharjah (SMMKC) celebrated Monthi Fest on September 7. Almost 700 children offered flowers to Mother Mary and nearly 2,800 Konkan Christians participated in the grand celebration.

Leading upto the day of the feast, a 9 day novena was held from August 29 to September 6, which included 3 days of Konkani Spiritual Retreat – the "Triduum". Fr Peter Mendonca led the community in prayer throughout the retreat and the 9 days of novena.

On Thursday, September 7, the evening celebration started with the traditional brass band, led by Ramiro Mascarenhas, playing melodious tunes of hymns in the church compound welcoming the people to the celebration. The grand celebration started with showering of flowers by children at the grotto of Mother Mary at 6:15 pm.

Fr Maxim Pinto led the prayer ceremony at the grotto and the children showered flowers to Mother Mary to the tune of "Moriyek Hogollsiyan". The traditional "Khanshi" was blessed at the grotto and then brought into the church in a procession by the priests, altar servers and members of SMMKC represented by Joachim Menezes, Roque Rego, Noel D’Costa and Anitha D’Souza. The statue of Infant Mary was carried ceremoniously by Nisha Lobo.

The mass which began at 6:45 pm was celebrated by Fr Peter Mendonca and co-celebrated by Fr Maxim Pinto – Spiritual Director of SMMKC and Fr Annie Xavier from St Paul’s Church, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. Lancy Carlo lead the choir during the holy mass, which was much appreciated and applauded by the entire gathering.

After the holy mass, cake and juice was distributed to the gathering while the brass band kept the audience entertained. Meanwhile the stage was being set for the much awaited cultural program.

The Cultural programme started with a welcome dance by little children which was choreographed by Prameela.
The welcome dance was followed by a short stage programme which saw felicitation to the priests, main sponsor, support sponsors and well-wishers. The main sponsor of the evening –Frank Lobo of Galaxy Electromechanical Systems LLC and all other sponsors were felicitated with flower bouquets.

Caesar’s Confectionary, Nestle Water Company and Nadec Food Company were specially felicitated and thanked for their valuable support to SMMKC by sponsoring Cake, Water, Juices, Biscuits, Croissants and other goodies to children during the novena days and on the feast day.

The committee also recognised and honoured Simon Rego, senior member of the Konkani community, who has served selflessly for the cause of the Church and the Konkani Community and still continues to do so inspite of his age.

SMMKC Co-ordinator Joachim Menezes welcomed everyone on behalf of the committee. Spiritual Director Fr Maxim Pinto addressed the gathering and congratulated the SMMKC Committee for organising such a wonderful and memorable celebration. Fr Maxim Pinto blessed the new corn mixed in milk and the same was distributed to the gathering.

The cultural programme continued thereafter and consisted of some amazing performances which kept the audience thoroughly entertained.

There was a total of 4 dances, 3 skits, 1 Goan Mando, 1 Medley, 1 Goan dance and 1 song on Mother Thereza. The dances were by – Carol D’Souza and group, Cresilla Rodrigues and group and Prameela and group (kids choreography and adults dance). 2 skits were enacted by Melwin Kalaakul and team and 1 skit was enacted by Deepak Lobo and team.

The Goan “Mando”, led by Ramiro Mascarenhas, was beautifully presented by the Goan team and won the hearts of the audience. The rendition was outstanding and was accompanied by the traditional ghumot, guitars and violins.

A beautiful medley of old Konkani songs was presented by the prayer group team, led by Anitha D’Souza, with Mstr. Claren D’Souza on the keyboard.

An upbeat Konkani dance number was performed by the little children from the Goan community, led by Queenie Braganza.

This was followed by a song about Mother Thereza sung by Lancy Carlo and team.

The programmed ended with a grand baila session by Band Open High which consisted of Joston Pereira, Kiran Rodrigues, Eldrich D’Souza and Preema D’Souza.

The cultural programme was ably compered by Godwin D’Souza.

The evening ended with a sumptuous buffet dinner of traditional "Novem Jevan" and everyone went home with fond memories of a grand celebration.

 

St Michael's Church, Sharjah - Album 2

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Jossie Mascarenhas, Bajpe / Dubai

    Thu, Sep 14 2017

    It was a highly enjoyable family feast at Sharjah Church. Everyone felt like a part of a big family. All credit goes to Fr. Maxim.

    The well arranged mass was fully complemented by the dedicated choir led by maestro Lancy Carlo and that his team of highly melodious voices comprising Crecilla, Preema, Sheela, Uttam and others. Lancy deserves a loud clap for his selfless yet relentless pursuit of finesse.

    The best part of the cultural show that followed was Goan Mando performed by Ramiro Mascarenhas and his super-talented musicians and singers. The highly passionate singing true to the spirit of Goan essence of culture and music, the apt musical instruments including Ghumat and the befitting ethnic costumes that the singers were attired in, took the spectators to a different level. A slight divergence to include Mangalorean counterparts turned the crowd ecstatic. And that's the creativity! Hats off to you sir.

    The dances, jokes and the Baila made the whole show indelible in one's memory while the Novem Jevan was way out delicious with Pathrade, Vorn and Roce. Dasprakash always does it best. We owe Joachim and his team big applause.

    So, next time if you are planning to go anywhere for the Monti Fest, don't.

    Just stick around in Sharjah !

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • THERESA LOBO, Mukamar,Sharjah - U.A.E.

    Tue, Sep 12 2017

    Happy Monthi Fest to each and everyone of you.
    Nice pics. Good coverage. Well Organized. Delicious food.
    God bless all of you Always.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Dsilva, Vamanjoor/UAE

    Mon, Sep 11 2017

    Liturgy, cultural event and arrangements to Nove Jovan, everything was well organised, big thanks to those who worked hard to make our Monthi festh more colorful and meaningful.

    Need to mention the special efforts of our Choir, it was awesome, loved singing of Ms.Crecilla, God bless you all.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: UAE: Nativity feast celebrated at St Michael's Church, Sharjah - Album 1



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.