from Ancy D’Souza
for Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SM)

Mumbai, Sep 24: Konkani association of St Louis Church, Dahisar here celebrated Monti Fest on Sunday September 23.

Fr Ivan D'Souza, parish priest of Girim Church, Vasai offered the solemn mass. Fr Lawrence Almeida, parish priest of Dahisar church told the importance of this feast.

Poet Ancy Paladka was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion he said “Monti Fest reminds us of our Indian culture. Our fore fathers always preserved their language and their culture, even during the resistance from Portuguese. When they could not practice their culture in Goa they either ran away to the south or to the north. Hence Monti Fest today is not seen in Goa, but it exists in the coastal Karnataka and coastal Maharasthra regions,” he added.

Various cultural were organized on this occasion. Children honoured Mother Mary by showering flower petals. Novem was blessed and distributed among people. Finally everyone had novem Jevonn together.

Veronica Noronha welcomed the gathering and. Wilfred Mendonca proposed the vote of thanks.