Pics by Sunil Bantwal
Konkani Catholics of Brampton (KCOB) celebrated the birthday of Mother Mary (Monthi Fest) on September 6, 2014 at Loafer’s Lake Community Centre, Brampton, Canada for the second time and was overwhelmed by the response and support by the Konkani community.
Nancy Lobo, welcomed the clergy and the congregation for the Eucharist celebration. The celebrants of the Konkani Eucharistic celebration were Rev Fr. Francis Noronha, Rev Fr. Andrew Lewis and Rev Fr. Henry Alva. This celebration was accompanied by melodious Konkani choir led by Priya Fernandez, Ingrid Pereira, Stan, Collette, Samantha & Savanna Goveas, Naveen, Brian & Joanne D’Souza, Nancy & Louis Lobo, Michael Serrao and lead guitarist Johnny. Savanna Goveas thanked the clergy, choir and the congregation for attending the service and making the feast a meaningful and memorable one.
Soon after the mass the young children, clergy and the elders went in a procession out into the beautiful breathtaking loafer’s lake facility where children adorned and showered colourful flowers on our dear mother with the choir singing the beautiful hymn of Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriyek Hogolsiya. Not to miss the hometown tradition, the Children were treated with Kobu (sugar cane) and goodie bags after this blessed ceremony.
The cultural event commenced with Max Mendes welcoming the guests and handing over the floor to the emcees of the evening Santosh D’Souza and Priya Fernandez, who entertained and compered the event flawlessly with their snippets of humorous poems (shayari) and witty riddles for which the participants with the right answers were gifted with spot prizes.
Fr. Andrew & Fr. Fredrick D’Souza blessed the delicious concoction of the novem prepared in the traditional style with coconut milk and Jaggery by Collette Goveas. All the sponsors were called on stage and gifted with candles.
The highlight of the event comprised of hilarious jokes played by Flavian Pinto, Donald Alva, Max & Nancy Mendes, group dance by Brian & Joanne D’Souza, Elizabeth & Carol Veigas and Tamera Mendes, songs by Linton Pinto accompanied by his brothers, Lloyd Pinto –Guitarist and Larson Pinto on the keyboard, and two impromptu performances, a bollywood dance by Laura & Andrea Castelino and a Konkani song by Melanie Crasta the showstopper of the event was MJ’s dance by Varun Bantwal.
There were gifts galore comprising of one night stay in a Niagara hotel, Revlon gift hamper and spa treatments gifted throughout the evening as spot prizes and a housie game.
To satiate the palates was the authentic Mangalorean food catered by Konkan Delite. There was an array of nine traditional dishes: Cucumber (karam), pickle (lonchay), rice, bimbli saar, pathrade, moong with bamboo, channa sukka, long beans (alsande), baby potatoes, and the lip smacking vorn for dessert.
The lively and foot tapping music for the event was provided by DJ Nigel. After dinner he played the Mangalorean Baila and the latest English music, which made the crowd hard to resist to come on the dance floor.
Naveen D’Souza thanked all the clergy, guests, participants, sponsors, photographer, DJ, volunteers and caterers in his vote of thanks.
All these precious moments were captured in real time by Sunil Bantwal.
We are very thankful to our sponsors:
Archana Medekar- Barrister & Solicitor
Flavian Pinto - Sun Life Financials
Francis Fernandes Cassia
Gurdeep Hansra - Tropicana Inn & Restaurant Niagara
Ingrid Pereira
Max Mendes - Broker, Royal Lepage Terrequity Realty
Naveen D’Souza
Patto Sweets and Catering
Shafeek - Home Improvements and Contractors
Stan Goveas - Brampton Monument Works
Sukhdeep Brar - Brampton Skin Care Academy
Suman Ahuja - Barrister & Solicitor
Walter Lobo
Wilson D’Souza - BMO mortgage specialist
An amazing evening of tradition, fun & frolic would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the KCOB organisers Collette & Stan Goveas, Ingrid & Mavy Pereira, Nancy & Max Mendes, Nancy & Walter Lobo and Priya & Naveen D’Souza along with their children.
Tumka somesthank Bagi Monthi Sabineyche Fest.
