Media Release
Sydney, Sep 12: It was a beautiful, albeit wet, spring day on Sunday 4 September 2022, when a large and record number of Mangalorean Sydneysiders, together with their friends celebrated the Feast of the Nativity (Monthi Fest) organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Association of Sydney (MCAS) Inc. The day began with Holy Mass conducted at the sprawling Good Shepherd Parish at Plumpton. The co–celebrants were Vincy D’Costa, parish priest of Plumpton, and Fr Peter Rebello from Coffs Harbour parish in the state’s north. The altar and the statue of Mother Mary were elegantly adorned with flowers, palms and sugar cane stalks. MCAS president Stanley D’Cruz provided an introduction and welcomed all the attendees.
The Mass was well supported by a melodious choir, whose members included Joylene Moras, Brendon Moras, Delcy Moras, Deena Moras, Dale Mascharenhas, Prima Pereira and Michelle Cornelio. In addition, Nireeksha D’Souza and little Eva Moras lent their voices in song. Sisters Crystal and Emma Pereira, daughters of Clinton and Prima Pereira, assisted as altar servers.
The first and second readings were delivered by Nicole Mascarenhas, daughter of Neil and Dale Mascarenhas, and Krissyn Mascarenhas, son of Dolphie and Neha Mascarenhas. Fr Peter Rebello delivered an energetic and highly inspiring homily, which was deeply appreciated by the attendees. He explained the gospel significance of the day and then extolled the various qualities and virtues of Mother Mary, which were humility, faith, obedience, prayer, mortification, purity, charity and patience.
It was heart-warming to see a great number of children participating actively during Mass, from coming up the aisle to present a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at offertory, to reading out the prayers of the Faithful.
At the conclusion of Holy Mass, Social Secretary Nelson D’Souza thanked the celebrants, Fr Vincy and Fr Peter, all the attendees, and the choir members for coming together and partaking of the service, helping to make it beautiful and meaningful. Children were then invited to gather at the grotto outside the Church to shower Mother Mary with flowers in keeping with the Mangalurean Monthi Fest tradition.
Despite being a day of wet weather, God blessed the congregation with a window of opportunity that allowed the large group of children to excitedly strew flowers amid the singing of Sakkad Sangantha Melyan and Moriek Hogolsian. It was a true display of devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Fr Peter Rebello then blessed the new paddy, specially brought in from Mangaluru by a thoughtful MCAS member Peter D’Mello especially for the Nativity celebrations. With the statue of our Blessed Mother enveloped in bright and abundant flowers, the attendees then made their way to the nearby school hall for festivities and a gala celebration. It was a sea of colour and vibrancy. The large hall at the Good Shepherd Parish was brimming to capacity, with over 300 people in attendance. Savio Monis and Adeep Rego ensured that the entry process was streamlined, and there was a smooth flow of patrons into the hall. Inside, the tables, stage and Mother Mary’s statue were expertly and elegantly decorated with flowers, palms, sugarcanes, balloons and lights, and exuded a festive and celebratory atmosphere.
To kick off the proceedings the two MCs, Nelson D’Souza and Roopa Menezes put on an entertaining entrance, and presented themselves in traditional Mangalurean attire, much to the amazement and delight of the attendees. Nelson and Roopa worked in sync as they compered the event in both Konkani and English. Before the formal session began, Joylene, Nireeksha and Nikita D’Souza led the congregation in singing “Showers of Blessings” to give thanks to God on the 15th anniversary of MCAS.
The commencement address was presented by the MCAS president Stanley D’Cruz. In his address, Stanley thanked the community for their steadfast support to MCAS for the past 15 years. He applauded the services of the past presidents & Executive Committee members. He also acknowledged the support provided by the NSW State government and informed the crowd that the NSW government had generously provided a grant for this event. Stanley proceeded to thank all the sponsors for this event.
Stanley introduced the rest of the MCAS committee, Rowena Sequeira, Nelson D’Souza, Adeep Rego, Savio Monis, Roopa Menezes and David Pinto, and complimented the committee for organizing two major events in a span of less than six weeks, including putting together a Souvenir to commemorate 15 years of MCAS. Stanley then introduced Mohit Kumar, representative of Kevin Conolly, who represented Mark Coure, Minister of Multiculturism, NSW Government. Mohit congratulated MCAS on its 15th anniversary and for arranging this grand event. He also touched upon the support given by the NSW government to community associations like MCAS.
Rowena Sequeira, vice president of MCAS and the Design Editor of the Souvenir, explained the significance and the salient features of the Souvenir, and announced that an E-Souvenir version would be made available to share with Mangalureans around the world. Rowena then invited Fr Peter Rebello to formally release the first booklet. The Souvenirs were then distributed among the attendees, and MCAS felt great pride as it was very well received and appreciated. MCAS General Secretary Adeep Rego presented Outstanding Service Awards to MCAS members who had dedicated over 10 years of support and service to MCAS: Stanley D’Cruz, Rowena Sequeira, Hubert Castelino, Savio Monis, (with a special mention for Savio’s wife, Kate Monis for her steadfast support), Michael & Valentina Fernandis as well as Peter D’Mello.
Nelson and Roopa conducted the cultural segment of the celebrations with gusto and in truly Mangalurean fashion. There was a full line up of performances and entertainment, including Konkani music, children’s dances, and children’s singing, as well as exciting games with plenty of prizes. Eva Moras, daughter of Brendon Moras, commenced the cultural element with her superb solo dance. A children’s group consisting of Nicole, Nikita and Nedine Mascarenhas, Krissyn and Kiara Mascarenhas, Nathan and Chloe Menezes, Lisa Machado, Danica Furtado and Eva Moras regaled the crowd with two songs sung beautifully in Konkani. MCAS sincerely thank the parents Brendon & Dina Moras, Joylene & Delcy Moras, Gerry & Sunitha Menezes, Rowena Sequeira, Ranjith Furtado, Roshan Picardo & Michelle Cornelio, and Neil & Dale Mascarenhas for their efforts in training the children for their singing and dancing roles.
As the event coincided with Father’s Day, Rowena Sequeira organized a special segment honouring all the fathers in attendance. Children were encouraged to lead their dads to the stage, where they hugged and thanked them for being such important part of their lives. A special blessing was bestowed upon them by Fr Peter Rebello. This was followed by energetic dancing by the kids with their dads, with prizes going to the best dancers!
Visiting parents were felicitated and encouraged to speak briefly about themselves. Scintillating music was provided by Joylene Moras, who kept the crowd entertained throughout the afternoon. Most attendees enjoyed the typical Baila dance which abounded with unending energy and excitement.
Joylene Moras, Richie Rebello and Glen Rego produced and enacted a short and hilarious Konkani skit, which was well appreciated by the audience.
Stanley D’Cruz applauded the major sponsors for supporting the 15th anniversary celebrations and the MCAS charity cause. He presented awards to: John Menezes, Andrew/Ashith Aranha, Joe Fernandes, Joaquim Mendes, Nelson Britto, Nigel Sequeira, Mira D’Silva and Lorraine/Aubrey Aloysius. He also thanked the numerous MCAS members, friends and well-wishers who contributed various advertisements for the Souvenir. He also mentioned the writers who sharpened their writing skills, to script articles of their warm memories of Mangalore, lending added colour to the souvenir. The Mangalorean food catered to the event was indeed outstanding and most attendees raved about the feast. The menu consisted of entrees of vegetable rolls and chicken 65, with the mains being bafat pork, coconut chicken curry, channa, beans, dhal, white rice, appams, shevio and vorne, and special Mangalurean pickle prepared by 91-year-young Matty Kamath (lovingly called Matty Bai)!
Praveen D’Souza and Clinton Pereira beautifully captured the memories of the 15th anniversary Monthi Fest event. Sincere thanks to volunteers Jeevan Tauro, Maxyl Lobo, Michelle Pinto, Niliya, Nireeksha and Nikita D’Souza, Ranjith Furtado, Clinton Pereira, Kate Monis, Akhil Menezes and Beryl D’Cruz who assisted the committee in the setup of the hall and the several attendees who helped in the final clean-up including Brendon Moras, as well as Jennifer and Vinod Tellis.
Overall, the MCAS Nativity Feast celebration in its 15th anniversary year was a grand and resounding success.