Dubai: USWAS Celebrates Monti Fest
by Denis Gomes
Dubai, Sep 20: UAE’s St Mary's Welfare Association of Shirva (USWAS) under the leadership of president Oscar Rego celebrated Monti Fest or Nativity Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary at The Karama Hotel Banquet Hall on Friday September 17.
The celebration was a memorable one with enormous gathering of over 200 Shirva Parishners.
The traditional celebration of Monti Fest took place with a procession headed by kids carrying flowers and three newly married couples Melston & Rashmi pinto, Roudolf & Renita Menezes, Joel & Lavina Tauro carried the statue of the infant Mary along with ‘blessed Novem’, which was specially flown from Shirva parish for the occasion. Short prayer was conducted by Merline Fernandes a senior shirva parishioner followed by showering of flowers to Infant Mary by children and elders as they sang the hymns ‘Sakkad Sangatha Mellyam & Moriyek Hogolsiam’. Novem mixed in milk was served to all. Children were offered sweets.
The cultural programme began with a lovely dance from Karen Corda and Clerisa for "Dinga Re Dinga" Konkani song followed by electrifying performance from Selwin Mathias for “Munni Badnam” , Cleon & Micol D'Souza for "Ranga Ranga”, Lisha & Cleon D'Souza for a tamil song and Ginel D’souza for “Lattu Lattu” . Canute Mathias, Joy Almeida, Uttam Menezes sang some wonderful Konkani song supported by Arun Carlo with his excellent music.
Manoj Menezes, Sharan D’Souza, Denis Mathias, Cloud D'Lima and Joy Almeida presented short skits which left the audience thoroughly entertained.
The Program was conductd by Loyel Pinto a young talent from shirva.
USWAS welcomed Simon D’Souza , President of St. Mary’s Old Student Association Shirva who came specially for this occasion.
USWAS thanked Mr.Francis Lobo, GM of Karama hotel for his support extended towards us.
Various games were conducted for kids and adults. The programme concluded with Housie-housie followed by Bila dance. Being away from Shirva, members of USWAS again were united as a family to celebrate Monti Fest.