Flora D’Souza, Jerimeri
Mumbai, Sep 17: Almost 700 Catholic crowd gathered together on Sunday, September 11 at St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary (Monthi Fest).
This event was organized by Konkan Taram, a Konkani Association of St Jude’s Church, Jerimeri as being their 30th Monthi Fest. The ceremony began with showering of flowers by children and youth, followed by Mass in Konkani. The main celebrant was Fr Valerian Fernandes SVD, parish priest Fr Avin Franklin and assistant priest Fr John Britto.
Children and youth took an active part in liturgy like readings and choir and also in cultural programme they are Nesline, Jovila, Princia, Mischell, Melita, Henna, Swidel, Flacido and Nathan.
New corns specially flown in from Mangaluru was blessed on the occasion. Guest priest Fr Valerian, parish priest Fr Avin, assistant priest Fr John Britto, Br Naveen, Sr Seema, Sr Irene and Jean Gomes – principal of Michael High School & Merceline College, Kurla were honoured with flower bouquets.
Students who scored 70% and above in SSC during the academic year were felicitated with certificates, gift vouchers and flower bouquets. They were Aanuradha, Sanctis Hazel, Patrick Miranda, Rosita, Frezzel, Roshni, Mishal Sebastian, Judy Thomas, Mary Anthony and Nadar Jacob.
John Mascarenhas, Shaun Harris and the choir group presented melodious singing and music. John Mascarenhas compered the felicitation programme, Secretary Precilla Rodrigues thanked parish priest, sponsors, donors and all the parishioners for their support and cooperation. She also thanked Walter Monteiro-Belman, Markus D’Souza-Kallianpur and Joseph Quadros-Nallasopara for sending corns from Udupi.
The Konkan Taram Members distributed snacks, sweets, sugarcane (sponsored by Paschal Miranda) and notebooks (sponsored by Baby Eliane Fernandes, Mira Road) to the children and parishioners.
It was a great feeling to celebrate the feast after a gap of 2 years, a large number of devotees took part in the solemn Eucharist.
Novem Jevann and cultural programme was held in the evening. Programme began with the prayer dance by Konkan Taram members - Precilla, Mershin, Sevrin, Anitha, Melonie and Flora.
Juliana Mascarenhas was the chief guest. She inaugurated the function by lighting of lamp with other guests. Fr John Britto felicitated her with a flower bouquet. Merceline D’Souza, Trizza Concessio, Maria D’Costa and John Mascarenhas offered bouquets to Fr John Britto, sisters and KT president Walter D’Souza.
John Mascarenhas, Lewin and the choir group presented a welcome song with traditional Pan Fodd and Godd udak served by Melony and Anita Fernandes – cultural secretaries. Dance, skit, and songs were arranged by Flora D’Souza. Secretary Precilla Rodrigues thanked the 2 members of KT Flora and John Mascarenhas and Fr John Britto felicitated them with a flower bouquet for their highest collection of sponsorship. Blessed Novem mixed with Milk served to all.
Fr John Britto and Sr Seema appreciated the Konkan Taram team (44 Members) for this wonderful feast celebration followed by Noven Jevann by putting in all their hard work to make this event a great success.
Flora D’Souza thanked all one who supported and cooperated to arrange this Monthi Fest (Mass & Novem Jevan) like fathers, sisters, our donors, youth and children, caterers, DJ, photographer and others.
Princia Fernandes & Alisha D’Souza compered the programme. They entertained the crowd by conducting various sport prize games.
The programme ended with Laudate singing followed by mouth-watering delicious vegetarian Mangalurean dinner, which was served on banana leaves by Swad Caterers.