Community News

Konkani Catholics of Brampton (KCOB) celebrated their 7^th Annual Monthi Fest on Saturday, 7th September 2019 at Queen of Peace Church, Norval, Canada and was overwhelmed by the response and support of the Konkani community.

The religious celebration at the church, started with a welcome speech by Priya Fernandez followed by the grand Eucharistic celebration in Konkani by Rev Fr. Henry Alva, Rev Fr. Andrew Lewis, Rev Fr. Baptist Rodrigues and Rev Fr. Denis D’Souza. The church resonated with the melodious Konkani choir led by Wilson D’Souza who was ably accompanied by singers Benedicta D’Souza, Clara D’Souza, Colette & Stan Goveas, Ingrid Pereira, Josephine Soosay, Juliet D’Souza, Lara & Paul Rebello, Lavina Saldanha, Nancy & Max Mendes, Nancy & Walter Lobo, Priya Fernandez & Viyona D’Souza, complementing the choir group were guitarist Johny D’Souza and pianist Joshua Leung.

Nancy Mendes, thanked the gathering for their participation at the church and asked the congregation, to follow in a procession to honor Mother Mary with their flower offerings and then to proceed to the hall for the cultural celebrations.

The congregation & the children with their flower offerings assembled in the sprawling lawns to venerate our dear Mother Mary (Fula Udonche) while singing Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriyek Hogolsiya. The children were treated with goodie bags sponsored by Ingrid and Mavy Pereira. It was indeed very touching and heartwarming to watch the enthusiasm of both the young and old as they took part in this tradition.

Naveen D’Souza welcomed the guests with the customary welcome speech.  Thereafter, all the sponsors, committee members, donors & priests were called on stage and Fr. Henry Alva, blessed the delicious traditional Novemn drink, a concoction of coconut milk and jaggery, prepared by Colette Goveas. This blessed drink was then distributed to all the guests present.

The Program was impeccably handled by Emcees Max Mendes and the young & dynamic Meghan Pereira, together they did a fantastic job in keeping the guests entertained with their charm and humor.

The evening’s cultural activity was loaded with dances, hilarious skits & standup comedy acts and melodious singing.  The welcome dance on the famous Konkani Hymn “Ophir Bhangara”, was performed by Celina & Serina Newton, a tribute to Mother Mary, followed by Contemporary & Jazz dance by Amelie Lobo, Standup comedy and skits by Nancy Mendes, Max Mendes, Wilson D’Souza, Nancy Lobo, Juliet D’Souza & Naveen D’Souza. An energetic and vibrant group of youth, Glen, Fabina, Alton, Tivona, Wesley, Anushka, Rewis, Leon & Johan did a fusion of Bollywood and Konkani dance performance.  Lara Rebello, Glen and Fabina enthralled the guests with their melodious singing. 

The kids were excited to take part in the Children’s game and gleamed with happiness, as even the ones who did not win, were gifted with chocolates. As always there were tons of gifts, spot prizes, door prizes, 50/50 draw prize and much more.

On behalf of KCOB Stan Goveas, felicitated Joshua Leung for diligently and consistently helping the choir with his musical talents since the last 4 years, all the committee members joined him on stage and Walter Lobo presented him with a token of appreciation for his contribution to KCOB.

Nancy Mendes, recognized the contribution of all the volunteers at this and past events and called them on stage.  In her speech she summed up their contribution by a famous quote by Sherry Anderson “Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” 3 Lucky draw prizes, two for the youth and one for the adult were drawn, to gift the volunteers.

KCOB celebrated by cutting a cake and called on stage all those who shared Mother Mary’s birthday.

The traditional authentic Novenm Dinner catered by Konkan Delite was served on time by the ever so helping volunteers. The aroma and the taste of Mangalorean food brought back nostalgic memories of back home and serving of delicious Vorn sealed the dinner with a great Mangalorean experience.

Post dinner, DJ Mario’s foot tapping music made it hard for the guests to resist the dance floor and witnessed some energetic dance moves by all.

All these beautiful moments were captured by Sunil Bantwal and Jack Barbosa on their camera lens.

It goes without saying that to organize such a grand event and still keep it affordable to the community, the support of our sponsors is of paramount importance.

KCOB thanks the generous contributions received from Sponsors & donors:

Royal Lepage Terrequity :  Max & Nancy Mendes

Brampton Monuments

/Mississauga Memorials     :   Stan & Collette Goveas

Trinity Auto            :   Ravi Fernandes

Ipro Realty               :   Vikas Hamroll

Sun Life Financials     :    Flavian & Miriam Pinto

Sun Life Financials     :     Manoj & Rashmy D’cunha

Green PI Inc.      :     Jack & Ophelia Barbosa

Right Fit Blinds :     Felix & Jessy Serrao

Royal Lepage Realty   :     Deepak & Ashu Gupta

Sonwil Financials        :     Wilson & Viyona D’Souza

Canadian Canara Vision Inc.

DONORS & WELL WISHERS:

Albert & Josephine Soosay

Alwyn & Ivy Correa

Boniface & Sharon Veigas

Glen & Fabina Saldanha

Mavy & Ingrid Pereira

Naveen & Priya D’Souza

Nelson & Veena D’costa

Peter & Werrel Lobo

Lest we forget the dedication, hard work, months of planning and practices by our very own KCOB families who have successfully organized the Monthi Fest for the last 7 years and every year taking it a notch up. A big thank you to the organizing committee: Anita & Sunil Bantwal, Collette & Stan Goveas, Ingrid & Mavy Pereira, Nancy & Max Mendes, Nancy & Walty Lobo and Priya & Naveen D’Souza.

Once again, we the managing committee members of Konkani Catholics of Brampton (KCOB), wish you and your family a Happy Monthi Fest.