Media Release
Vancouver, Sep 14: The Konkani Catholic community in Vancouver came together in faith, joy and fellowship to celebrate Monthi Fest (Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) on September 7, bringing together nearly 200 faithful for a memorable evening of prayer, tradition, food and community celebration.
The celebrations began at the grotto, where children, families and community members gathered for the traditional showering of flowers in honour of Mother Mary. The sight of little children joyfully offering flowers added a special charm to the celebration and beautifully reflected the essence of Monthi Fest.
Following the flower offering, the faithful proceeded in procession towards Immaculate Conception parish, carrying with them the spirit of faith and devotion. The Mass was celebrated with great reverence and devotion.
Fr Joseph D'Souza was the main celebrant, while Fr Venil D'Souza delivered the homily. Fr Sunil D'Souza and Fr Ron Sequeira concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, Fr Venil D'Souza reflected on the significance of the Nativity of Mother Mary and encouraged the faithful to follow Mary's example of humility, faith, obedience and complete trust in God. His inspiring message reminded everyone of the importance of keeping family, faith and Christian values at the centre of their lives.
The celebration was further enriched by the excellent choir, whose beautiful singing added solemnity and devotion to the Mass. The congregation participated wholeheartedly in the liturgy, making the Eucharistic celebration a truly prayerful experience. This year's mass was celebrated in Konkani including the Hymns sung by the choir.
The Vancouver community expressed its sincere gratitude to Fr Abundo Amador for generously providing the facilities at Immaculate Conception Parish for the celebration.
Fellowship and Celebration
Following the Mass, the community gathered at the Parish Hall at 5:30 pm for an evening of fellowship and entertainment.
A special feature of this year's celebration was the generous contribution of the sponsors and community members who helped prepare the food for nearly 200 guests. Their time, effort and generosity ensured that everyone could enjoy a traditional meal in the true spirit of Monthi Fest.
The hall came alive with laughter, music and applause as children and ladies presented entertaining dance performances. The performances showcased the talent and enthusiasm of the community and provided a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to celebrate together.
The evening also included fun games and music, bringing people of all ages together. The atmosphere was one of friendship, happiness and togetherness, reflecting the strong community spirit that has become an important part of the Vancouver Monthi Fest celebration.
While celebrating this year's Monthi Fest, the community also fondly remembered Fr John Pinto, who has been a staunch supporter of organizing Monthi Fest in Vancouver for seven years.
His absence was deeply felt by the community. Fr John played an important role in encouraging and supporting the annual celebration and was known for his spiritual guidance, hard work and dedication towards the community.
The organisers and members of the Vancouver Konkani Catholic community expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Fr John for his years of service and commitment to keeping the Monthi Fest tradition alive in Vancouver.
The successful celebration of Monthi Fest once again demonstrated the strong bonds of faith, family, culture and fellowship within the Konkani Catholic community in Vancouver.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to the clergy, choir, sponsors, volunteers, performers, families and every member who contributed time, effort and resources to make the celebration a memorable one.
As the community concluded the celebrations, everyone departed with grateful hearts, carrying with them the blessings of Mother Mary and the renewed commitment to preserve and pass on the rich traditions of the Konkani Catholic community to future generations.