HAPPY FEAST TO ONE AND ALL
Konkani Catholics of Brampton (KCOB) celebrated Monthi Fest on September 7, 2013 for the first time ever at St. John Fisher Church in Brampton, Canada and was amazed to see the response and support of our very own Mangalorean community. The crux of celebrating the fest was to adore Monthi Saibin and pray to her to grant us everlasting harvest to feed every single living being on this earth.
Stan Goveas welcomed and thanked the congregation in the church. The event started with a grand celebration of Konkani Mass by Rev Fr. Andrew Lewis, Rev Fr. Henry Alva, Rev Fr. Francis Noronha & Rev Fr. Simon Fernandez, Melodious Konkani choir by Lara, Priya, Prisca, Savanna, Ingrid, Samantha, Collete, Juliet, Brian, Joanne, Nirmala, Nancy, Max, Stan with musician Noelin and Eugene. After the holy mass, the clergy led the procession along with the young children and the congregation to shower flowers to Mother Mary (FulaUdonche) with the melodious choir of Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriyek Hogolsiya Hymns being sung all through the procession. Children were so enthusiastic and full of energy to offer the flowers to Mama Mary who were given Kobu and Chocolates as treats, the sight was breathtaking as these moments took us down memory lane of the feast being celebrated in our hometown Mangalore. It is so evident that Mangalorean tradition and culture is nowhere near extinction in fact would only get stronger and spread around the globe. Thanks to the community and dedication of many Konkani cultural ambassadors around the world.
After the Mass, members were welcomed into the church hall by Max Mendes, in his speech he mentioned that the objective of initiating monthi fest in Brampton was to propagate the faith and celebrate the birth of our dear mother, promote culture and for the convenience of new immigrants and people who could not travel to other cities to attend this feast. He assured full support to the people who would want to initiate monthi fest in neighbouring cities and spread the joy and celebration of the birthday of Mary just like in Mangalore. He then opened the floor to the Emcees of the evening, Santosh D'Souza and Priya Fernandez who ran the show flawlessly with their subtle comedies and interaction with the guests. Fr. Andrew Lewis, blessed the novemn and the same was consumed in the milk, with reverence by the entire community. The evening was packed with hilarious stand up comedy by the duo Santhu& Monthu and jokes by Flavian& Donald, group dances by Samantha, Savanna, Nancy, Joanne, Brian & Priya and melodious singing by Lara. The icing on the cake was the standup comedy by the well renowned comedian Francis Fernandes Casia of Matharo Chorbela fame. There were gifts galore right from door prizes, email draw prizes, kids prizes and spot prizes for the young and old.
Blessed authentic Novemn vegetarian Dinner was served with yummy Vorn catered by Konkan Delite.
After the dinner, DJ Don, enticed the crowd to the floor with his non stop Konkani Baila music. Every enthralling moments were snap shot by young photographers Melden and Webster.
Naveen in his vote of thanks, thanked the generosity of all the sponsors Tony Correa, Harjinder Challal, ShafeekResha, SukhdeepBrar, Brampton Skin Care Academy, ParamjitKaur of Global Insurance, Royal India, Joyson D'Souza, Max Mendes, Mavy Pereira, Stan Goveas, Walter Lobo and Naveen D'Souza and the community members without whom this event would not have been so successful.
This meaningful, funfilled and joyous event was planned and executed due to the untiring work and dedication of the organisers of KCOB Nancy & Max Mendes, Nancy & Walter Lobo, Ingrid & Mavy Pereira, Collete & Stan Goveas and Priya & Naveen D'Souza and all the volunteers who helped out throughout the days running up to the event.
Tumka somesthank Dev Boren Dis Deevn
