Konkani Catholic Association - UK celebrates Monti Fest

By Vinod Barboza
Bellevision Media Network

Manchester/UK, Sep 15, 2014: Konkani Catholic Association (KCA) - UK, a well known Konkani association in United Kingdom celebrated Monti Fest at Gandhi Hall, here on Saturday September 13.   

 

The Konkani speaking families from different parts of UK gathered on time as one family to celebrate this joy. This thrilling support from the guests not only renewed the spirit of happiness to this feast but also inspired to carry on this feast in a typical Mangalorean culture, custom and tradition.

 

 

The celebration commenced with the introduction by Marina Monis Warrington. This was soon followed by the showers of flowers by the children and the adults as an offering to Infant Mary to commemorate her birthday; whilst the choir simultaneously sang the hymn ‘Morieak Hogolxieam.’

 

Fr Agnelo B De Souza from London offered the Holy Mass. The first reading was read by Jyothi Mendonca Sunderland and the second by Laveena Monis Birmingham.

 

Fr Agnelo in his homily stressed the need for unity and respect for traditional customs.

 

The choir uplifted the spirit by the melodious singing by the Choir group led by Stanislaus Mendonca-Sunderland.   The Eucharistic Celebration was elated by the choir team and by the melodious music of Sujith Rodrigues and Mukesh from Manchester, which uplifted the spirit amd joy of the feast and made the hearts of the congregation merrier.  

 

Earlier, Harshiya Pereira - Manchester offered thanks to Fr Agnelo, the Choir group and all the people for their devotional participation during the Holy Mass. The elderly people who were amongst the assemblage were invited to the dais to actively participate in mixing the blessed corn with the milk which was later shared with all the guests. Their presence made the guest to remember their family members back in home town and also their near and dear ones.

 

After the Holy Mass Lisa Barboza-Liverpool, arranged and served the soft drink to all the guests. Joseph Sequiera-Warrington and Vinod Barboza – Manchester, the comperer brilliantly took the lead to channelize the events for the rest of the day.

 

KCA-UK president Ronald Lobo Manchester extended his warm welcome to all the guests. Sonal Mendonca from Birmingham welcomed the guest with the traditional classical dance. 

 

This is followed by Ronald Lobo who completed his term along with his team members on this day handed over the responsibilities to the newly-elected president Santosh Pinto, who now took over the charge with his newly elected team. The newly elected Committee which will now render its services for the next 2 years from today September 12 2014 till September 2016 comprises Santhosh Pinto as the president, Raj Francis Pereira as the vice president, Charlotte  Barboza as the secretary, Ronald Lobo as the  treasurer, Harshiya Pereira as the cultural secretary and  Marina Monis as the communication co-coordinator.

 

After the embarked ceremonial procedure was concluded, the cultural activities commenced with a melodious song by Melisha Barboza Manchester.

 

Traditional meal with 7 different types of delicious vegetables, including sanna, rice and vorn were prepared by KCA UK members which were later served to the KCA-UK guests. KCA-UK specially thanked Martin Saldanha, Alwyn Butello and Richard D’Silva for their dedicated work and also for their planning and co-ordination in arranging the food for all guests in time.

 

In the post lunch session KCA UK Kids performed ‘KCA UK Got Talent -2’ and entertained the guests with their outstanding performances.   There was increased participation from kids, which is one of the highlight of the show.

 

The events of the day further continued with performances, hilarious skits and dance by Ronald Lobo, Stany Rodrigues Vinod Barboza, Melrina Pereira and Shimona Pinto.

 

The entire dais and back stage activities were coordinated by Steven Ivan Coelho London. Raj Francis Pereira – Carlisle dedicated himself to cover the entire day’s photography.

 

Benson Moras from Leeds and Santhosh Pinto Manchester was the DJ for the event also responsible for the sounds systems for the day.

 

Ronald Lobo Manchester carried out a fund raising event for the Association in the form of auctions of items specially brought from Mangalore. The fund collected from this auction will be used towards the day’s expenses.

 

 

Joseph Sequeira Warrington conducted the Bingo where the prizes were awarded to the winners.

 

Vinod Barboza Manchester thanked everyone who directly or indirectly supported to make the event a grand success. He also conveyed special thanks to the people who worked behind the screen for days to make the event a very success.

 

The organizers thanked the members of MUKA – Nottingham, SKA – London and KKL - London for their active participation in a big number and unconditional support during the event.

 

The event was concluded with a tea followed by Lau-da-te Domino and the floor baila dance.