Nativity Feast : St Peter and Paul Charuch, Ruwi , Muscat
Report by Dolly M Sequeira
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Oman
Muscat, Sep 10: A land surrounded by mountains and the feelings of living in a desert was forgotten last night September 8th 2010, when the feast of nativity was celebrated here at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi Muscat for the 23rd year. It was an evening to be cherished; everyone looked resplendent in their festive attire, there was eagerness on the faces of the people and the sight of little children carrying the platter of flowers, all bloomed and collected here in the land, was a moment of joy to all present there. People from different parishes from the costal region of India gathered here in a huge numbers to celebrate the Monthi Festh in a grand way. As the hymn 'Sakkad sangathan melyam' (Let us all gather together) was sung, it was a pleasure moment for all gathered there at the grotto of Ruwi Church.
What made Monti Fest celebration this year truly special and distinctive was the presence of Most Reverend Bishop Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum who had specially flown to Muscat to attend the celebrations. A Novena of Nine days (from 30th August 2010 to 7th September 2010) in Konkani language was conducted by Fr. Canute Barboza – Parish Priest of Mundkoor Parish and attended by the Konkani Community of the Parish in large numbers. Treats were distributed to children after the Novena.
The celebrations commenced with a procession was led by Nelson D Silva, current Mangalorean Representative to the Pastoral Council of Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi and active community leader along with Clifford and Lydia Santis, a prominent businessman of the community, and Henry Gracy Castelino – Barka carrying the corn trays and Holy Pictures Trays respectively. As the choir sang the Hymn 'Sokkod sangathan melyam', children walked in procession carrying flowers and showered flowers to the hymn of "Moriyek Hogolsiam” (Let s praise Mother Mary). The Paddy grains on stalks were flown in especially for the occasion from Mangalore. The flower showering ceremony was efficiently conducted by Suraj Rebello – past president of MCCP.
After the showering of the flowers, the Solemn Eucharistic celebration started at 8.15 p.m. The main celebrant of the high mass was Most Rev. Bishop Peter Machado. Fr. Raul Ramos – Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi, Fr. Albert D Silva – Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church - Ghala, Fr. Canute Barboza – visiting Parish Priest of Mundkoor Parish, Fr. Caithan D Souza of Belgaum Diocese were the co-celebrants.
The Mass commenced with a welcome note by Monica Dantis, the current President of MCCP and the holy readings were presented by Henry Martis, Savia Fernandes and Savitha Rebello. The community children Fiona Castelino, Anisha D Souza, Evon Sequeira, Shawn D Silva, Melissa Nazareth and Alston Moras presented the offertory readings and the offertory participants were Glenmark Rodrigues, Reena Menezes, Clinton , Lenita Lobo, Simona Pereira, Melaine Crasta, Giselle Fernandes, Chris Soares, Beverly Quadros, Adventina Rodrigues, Relina Vaz, Vihaan Pereira, Shane D Souza and Amanda Pinto.
The choir under the leadership of the expert choir master Apolinaris D' Souza was really brilliant.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the organizing committee distributed the blessed corn, holy pictures to all gathered and a bag of goodies and sugarcane to the children. The committee made arrangements to serve the faithful, ladoos and cool drinks. Truly this evening was another memorable for all present there.