from Freddie Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network – Sydney (GA)

Sydney, Sep 12: The Mangalorean Catholic Association of Sydney (MCAS) proudly celebrated The Nativity Feast of our Lady on Sunday September 7 at Christ the King Church, North Rocks, Sydney.   Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr Lancy D’Souza and Fr Joseph Rebello which was complimented by an excellent choir group headed by Marsha Rodricks and well coordinated by Joylene Moras.   The readings and the prayers of the faithful were all read by the youth.  For the offertory a set of fresh vegetables and fruits were offered.

The event at the parish hall commenced with the introduction by the MC Dwayne Fernandes. The welcome speech was delivered by the president Stanley D’Cruz.  He welcomed all the members, the new members & their families. He also gave a brief run down of future events being organized by the MCAS, that is, The  ManGo Cup cricket match between MCA and Goan youth teams with a picnic to be held in October 2008 and the Christmas dance to be held on  November 29.

Thereafter the event commenced with the blessing of the new harvest (Novem) by Fr Lancy and Fr Joe.  All the members present in the hall then proceeded to take part in the celebration by consuming the traditional ‘roce’ with the novem.  The children then lined up with flowers and went in a procession to shower the flowers on Mother Mary’s statue, the tradition which is still followed in Mangalore.

Entertainment and games followed soon after which was superbly complimented by songs and music played by Craig Dickinson, Since Australians were also celebrating Father’s Day, the gathering involved all the fathers in a Musical Chair game which was widely appreciated by all present.  The fathers were also entertained with classical Australian wine.

Authentic Mangalorean cuisine buffet lunch was then served, which was cooked by the various members of the association. The food was blessed and then grace was said by Fr Joe.   The menu consisted of baffat pork, sorpotel, lamb khorma, sannas, channas, jeera rice, cucumber salad, assorted pickles and the traditional sweet dish vorn. 

Music continued and the members kept dancing on the floor enjoying themselves. Joylene Moras, youth coordinator then entertained the crowd with his Konkani baila non-stop songs for over an hour. Other activities included raffles and door entrance prize draws.

Social Secretary Freddie Pereira proposed the vote of thanks.  He then called all the new members on the floor and welcomed them into the association and also called all the volunteers who cooked the sumptuous food on the floor and specially thanked them for their excellent contribution.