Nativity Feast at St. Anthony of Padua Church Ras Al Khaimah

By Alex Crasta
Pics by Ebin Mathew/Noel Castelino
Bellevision Media Network

RAK, 17 Sep 2014: The Konkani community of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Ras Al Khaimah, celebrated the Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, September 12 in the new Church at Al Jazeera with great religious fervour.

 

Over 200 faithful gathered including 30 children. The children along with the elders offered flowers to our beloved mother by singing ‘moreak hogolsiam’ hymn reverberating the premises of the new Church. The devotees along with priest marched in procession to tune of “Sokkad Sangaatha Melyaam ……”

 

The festal high Mass was celebrated by Fr. Maxim Peter Pinto. The choir group lead by Agnes Roche and Deepak Almeida with Carol Mathias at the key-board sang some beautiful hymns to add splendour to the mass. Fr. Maxim in his  homily explained the importance of  family  in our  day-to-day life by  linking  it  to the family of  Mother Mary and her parents  Joachim  and  Ann.

 

 

A lively entertainment programme followed immediately after the mass which was compared by the Parish youth lead by Ryan Mathias, Freeda Lobo and Errol Lobo. Fr. Maxim welcomed the guests and Mrs Anna Lobo proposed the vote of thanks. The entertainment programme included competitions and spot prizes which created a family atmosphere where all the oldest and the youngest participated and enjoyed.

 

Fr. Thomas Ampattukuzy, Parish Priest, Fr. Maxim and all the guests enjoyed the sumptuous vegetarian meals with the traditional curries, pathrode, alu-dento etc. served on the banana leaves. This tradition was kept by Venus Restaurant as in previous years that also generously sponsored food for all.

 

Laudaathe was sung after the final serving keeping the traditions alive.

 

The celebration ended with a popular housie game conducted by Ramona Fernandes.