from Alwyn Menezes
Pictures by Michael Andrade & Darryl Albuquerque
Hyderabad, Oct 1: Members of the Kanara Catholic Welfare Association (KCWA), Hyderabad celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Nativity (Monthi Fest) belatedly on Sunday September 21, 2008 at St Francis Girls High School grounds, Secunderabad.
Members from all over the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad gathered at the venue in full festive spirit – a home away from home.
An idol of Infant Mary was taken out in procession with children showering flowers all the way and singing ‘Sokkod Sangata Melleam’.
The gathering also had the privilege of having three Mangalorean priests to celebrate Holy Mass, Fr V J Menezes from Bangalore, Fr Walter Pinto, chaplain of St Theresa`s Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad and Fr Lancy Menezes, a diocesan priest based 75 km away from Hyderabad. The KCWA Konkani choir rendered melodious hymns.
After the mass, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association was held where members discussed important issues of concern. Students who performed well at the Board exams were publicly honoured. A cultural show followed, showcasing the talents of our young ones and some not so young ones. The gathering was treated to a sumptuous Mangalorean lunch, catered by Evelyn and Fredric D’Souza. The gathering wrapped up the day’s events with an enjoyable game of Tambola and singing the ‘laudate’.
Commenting on the occasion, Rex Thomas Prabhu, president of KCWA Hyderabad, said ‘the association has been blessed all along with dedicated and selfless members who have given their valuable contribution in terms of their time and resources to the steady growth of the organization’.
Kanara Catholics in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are a spirited lot. Though there was no regular Association or Organization by name, old folks of the community here tell of the fond memories of the community members getting together for occasional pot-luck parties and picnics since early 70s. KCWA was set up and registered as a ‘Welfare Association’ in Andhra Pradesh in November 1998. It completes 10 years in November this year. Having grown into a strong and vibrant Association, the KCWA is now ready to extend wings to wider horizons and welcome more members. Kanara Catholics based in Hyderabad and desirous of joining the KCWA as members should contact Capt. Alwyn Menezes (Retd), General Secretary of the Association at alwynalwyn@rediffmail.com.