Dubai: Over 5,000 Attend SMKC’s Monthi Fest Celebrations
Pics by Ramcy Fernandes
News from Jovin D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network—Dubai (CN)
Dubai, Sep 10: The Konkan community of St. Mary’s Church celebrated Monthi Fest, a feast of the nativity of Virgin Mary, together with a unique Mangalorean traditional harvest feast on Friday September 10.
The St Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) organized the grand celebration where an enormous crowd of over 5,000 gathered in and around the church to venerate Mother Mary on this blessed day. As the Holy Mass in Konkani began with melodious singing by Konkani Choir, a grand procession commenced with priests, SMKC leaders, altar servers, and lay ministers.
The main celebrant Fr Frank Gomes, the newly-appointed spiritual director of SMKC, in his festive mass sermon, described Mother Mary’s birth together with God’s will in fulfilling the prediction of the coming of Jesus into this world. He participated in a solemn Eucharistic celebration in Konkani along with Fr Robert Lasrado, a Capuchin priest, on a visit from Mangalore.
As per the traditional practice during the Mass, new corn flown from India was blessed and distributed to the congregation at the end.
Paul Coloco, spiritual co-ordinator, SMKC, applauded the efforts of all volunteers, especially those from St Mary’s Volunteers Sodality under the leadership of Rony D’Cunha, who ensured discipline throughout the celebration.
SMKC is also conducting ‘Konkan Showers 2010’, an annual fund raising musical show, on Thursday October 14 at Al Nasr Leisure Land, here.
After the conclusion of mass, the whole congregation, including vibrant and young children with flower baskets, proceeded towards the grotto in the church compound and venerated Mother Mary to the accompaniment of hymns ‘Sokkad Sangatha Melyan’ and ‘Moriyek Hogolsiyan’.
SMKC newsletter ‘Uzwadd’ was released and distributed to all. Cake and cold drinks were also served to the children.