Media Release
New Delhi, Sep 25: On Sunday 13th Septemner 2020 The Kanara Cultural Association (KCA)(Regd), here, organized the celebration of Monthi fest at Ysuf Sadan, Sacred Hearth Cathedral campus, here.
This year’s Monthi fest, however, due to COVID-19 pandemic was celebrated by KCA in a restricted manner by observing all the government rules/regulations and social distancing.
The mini-celebration was held at the Yusuf Sadan Hall, Goldakhana, New Delhi. Seating arrangements for the celebration were done in such a way that everyone could maintain social distancing. In addition, all were tested with a thermal gun and provided with sanitiser at the entrance. All pandemic-related government rules, such as mask wearing and social distancing, were followed throughout the celebration.
The celebration began with Fr Rohan, the spiritual director of KCA blessing the novem after which, every person in the hall offered a rose to Infant Mary while the choir sang ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melya.’ The mass commenced immediately after that. Fr Olwyn Pinto from Agra archdiocese read the gospel and gave a beautiful sermon. Fr Rohan walked around the hall distributing holy communion to the faithful.
After the mass, Melwin, the KCA cultural sSecretary gave a short introduction to the day’s programme and requested everyone to settle down. Then the president of KCA, Pius Monteiro welcomed everyone and briefed about the various programmes conducted by KCA in 2019-20, such as mass for the soul of the departed members of KCA in November, Christmas celebration in January, Faridabad varado sahamilan. He also briefed the KCA plan for the year 2020-21 and assured the members that the audited accounts and balance sheet for the FY 2019-20 will be presented during the AGM of KCA in October 2020. He thanked the KCA members and all present.
One of the impressive highlights of the programme was honouring the young achievers in studies. Students from class 1 - 12 who did well in their studies were felicitated and a cash prize was given to each one. Fr Victor D'Souza, founder member and first spiritual director of KCA in spite of age restriction came to celebrate the Monthi fest. A warm welcome was extended to Fr Victor with a bouquet by Meldrid Pinto. Fr Vincent Crasta, Fr Sunil Crasta, Fr Alwyn Pinto, Fr Arun Lasrado, Fr Cyril Moras and all were thanked for concelebrating the holy mass.
Felix Fernandes, the KCA secretary distributed noven to all present and also gave away packets to be given to all the KCA families who could not make it. Fr Victor wanted laudete Domino song to sing to the end to continue the tradition and spirit of KCA forever.
Lastly, the delicious breakfast prepared by Simon was served bringing the celebrations to a close.
To compensate for the lack of traditional Mangalurean food during the meetup, KCA also hosted an online food competition so that everyone could share the food they indulged in. Many people sent in videos feasting on the food served on banana leaves while speaking about the dishes they made.