Flora D’Souza, Jerimeri
Mumbai, Sep 25: Almost 600 Catholic crowd gathered together on Sunday, September 14 at St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary (Monti Fest). This event was organized by KONKAN TARAM, a Konkani Association of St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri as being their 34th Monti Fest. Ceremony began at 6.45 am with showering of flowers by children and youth, followed by Mass in Konkani, main celebrant was Fr Prem Prakash D’Souza, redemptorist priest, parish priest Fr Alias D’Souza, assistant priest Fr John Britto (principal – St Jude’s High School).
Children & youth took an active part in liturgy like readings & choir and also in cultural programme.
Musician John Mascarenhas and the choir Group presented melodious singing and music.
New corns specially flown in from Udupi was blessed on the occasion. Guest priest Fr Prem Prakash D’Souza, parish priest Fr Alias & assistant priest Fr John Britto were honoured with flower bouquets by John R Mascarenhas, Leo Fernandes and Juliana Olivera respectively.
Flora D’Souza compered the felicitation programme and thanked parish priest, Sponsors, donors and all the parishners for their support and cooperation.
The Konkan Taram members distributed snacks, sweets, sugarcane (sponsored by Paschal Miranda) and notebooks (sponsored by Miss Eliane Fernandes, Mira Road) to the children and parishioners.
A large number of devotees waiting anxiously every year to celebrate this Monti Fest and taking part in the solemn Eucharist.
Novem Jevann & cultural programme was held in the evening. Programme began with the prayer dance presented by members of the association Mercin, Precilla and Anitha.
Parish priest Fr Alias being the chief guest, inaugurated the function by lighting of Lamp with guest of honour Fr John Britto, Sr Seema, Sr Joanna & president Walter D’Souza.
Traditional pan phod and godd udak served by president Walter D’Souza and John Rodrigues.
Students who scored 70% & above in SSC during this Academic year were felicitated with certificates, gift vouchers & flower bouquets. They are Miss Karkera Pearl Samatha (95%), Pinto Janice Jerome (92.60%), Lewis Shawn Patrick (92%), Godinho Joanna Joaquim (80%), Anushka Ravi Bharati (76.40%), Chirayath Samuel Thomas (76.40%) & Rodrigues Placido Patrick (74.80%),
Precilla Rodrigues conducted this felicitation programme and also thanked the members of the KT – Flora, Juliana Mascarenhas & John Rod and Fr Alias felicitated them with a Gift for their highest collection of sponsorship.
Gracy, Sevrin, John Rod & Clayton presented a Konkani Skit “PIRKIS” and Mercin, Precilla, Anita, Maria and Flora presented their energetic performance to the tune of “Choi choi choi tho render Maddar chodta/Hem Manglur amchem”. Youth of the Parish Clayton, Venecia, Rasila, Revin, Melita, Helson, Placido and Fiona also presented Mando Dance and Royston and Alisha presented a comedy. All these performances made the crowd happy by their spectacular performance, leaving everyone wanting an encore.
Blessed novem mixed with milk served to all.
Fr John Britto & Sr Seema appreciated the Konkan Taram Team for this wonderful Feast celebration followed by noven jevann by putting in their hard work to make this event a great success.
Flora D’Souza thanked one and all who supported & cooperated to arrange this Monti Fest (Mass & Novem Jevan) like Fathers, Sisters, donors, parishners, youth & children, decorator, DJ etc., specially for all the members for their hard efforts in making these events a grand success.
Jovila compered this programme in fluent Konkani and she too entertained the crowd with her jokes and conducted Lucky Draw games.
Programme ended with Laudate singing followed by mouth-watering delicious vegetarian Mangalorean dinner, which was served on banana leaves prepared by John Meals.