Sharjah: St Michael’s Mangalorean Konkani Community Sharjah (SMMKC) celebrated Monthi Fest on Thursday, September 8.
The festive day saw around 2600 Konkan Christians participating in the celebration with almost 600 children offering flowers to Infant Mary.
A 9-day Novena was a held from August 30 to September 7. Rev Fr Darrel Fernandes, Editor of Sevok Monthly Konkani Magazine, Assisi House, Bejai, led the devotees in prayer for all the nine days.
The celebration began with the traditional brass band, led by Jackson Mascarenhas. Children offered flowers at the grotto of Mother Mary. Fr Darrel Fernandes led the prayer and children showered flowers to the tune of “Moriyek Hogollsiyan”. The traditional “Khanshi” was then blessed at the grotto and brought into the church. Memebers of SMMKC Joachim Menezes, Roque Rego, Mark Denis D’Souza, Peter Paul D’Souza and Nisha Lobo accompanied the priests and the altar servers in the procession.
The mass was celebrated by Fr Darrel Fernandes and co-celebrated by Fr Maxim Pinto – Spiritual Director of SMMKC and Fr Felicio. In the homily, Fr Fernandes stressed upon the importance of empowering women. The choir led by Lancy Carlo and Arun Carlo was lauded by the gathering. Soon after, mass cake and juice was served among all.
Thereafter a cultural programme was organised and priests, sponsors and well-wishers were honoured. The main sponsors Joachim Menezes of Felix Security Systems, Roque Rego of Arabian Falcon, Frank Lobo of Galaxy Electromechanical Systems LLC along with other sponsors were felicitated.
Some of the dedicated members of the community Maxim Menezes, Deepak Lobo, Leena, Claren D’Souza, Peter Paul D’Souza, Lancy Carlo – Choir Master, Cedric Gomes – President of Goan Committee and Joachim Menezes – President of SMMKC were felicitated for their selfless service.
SMMKC President Joachim Menezes welcomed the gathering. Parish Priest Fr Varghese Chempolly thanked SMMKC Committee for organising the memorable celebration. The new corn mixed in milk was blessed by Fr Maxim Pinto and was later served among all.
Historical drama “Badlavan” by Kushal Kalakaar with the direction of Melwin Kalaakul was presented on the occasion. The background music for the drama was rendered by Rohan Kalaakul. Arun Raj Rodrigues has written the play and was enacted by Shashiraj, Joylyn, Melwin, Nishell, Santhosh, Sandeep, Ivan, Jenith and Melwyn D’Souza. Sannu Monis and Darrel Vamanjoor supported the team. The cultural programme concluded with a performance by Goan youth and a melodious song by Joshua D’Souza.
Committee Secretary, Anitha D’Souza proposed vote of thanks and the entire programme was compered by Uttam Menezes. The celebration ended with traditional “Novem Jevan”.
