Abbasiya Families Kuwait, Konkani Community Celebrates Monti Fest

By Remy Fernandes – Piusnagar
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 19 Sep 2016: Abbasiya families, Konkani community, Kuwait celebrated Monti Fest at Integrated Indian School auditorium, here on Friday September 16.

 

The programme began with general welcome by Deepak Andrade and Susan Saldanha. The statue of Infant Mary was brought in a procession to the stage by the sponsors of the festal Mass along with new paddy sheaves, candles and dates.

 

The children carrying fresh flowers along with Abbasiya parish priest Fr Noel D’Ameida, guest clergy Fr Fredrick Brags and Fr Antony Lopez, deacon Sylvester D’Souza in a solemn procession honored Infant Mary.

 

The children showered the flowers in honor of Infant Mary with the singing of ‘Sakkad Sangata Melyan,’ by parish Konkani choir led by Morvine.

 

Fr Fredrick concelebrated the festal Mass in Konkani along with other clergies and blessed the new paddy sheaves that were distributed to the gathering.

 

The sugarcanes were distributed to the children as a tradition.

 

 

Abbasiya families and Konkani community president Ronnie welcomed the gathering.  The parish children presented a welcome dance.  A skit and a tableau was presented as tribute to recently beatified St Theresa by the Konkani community of parish.

 

After grace before meal by Fr Noel, Ronnie invited everyone to have traditional Mangalorean vegetarian dinner by offering water.  Konkani community members entertained the gathering by foot-tapping dances, skits, jokes, songs etc presented by the smallest kid to the oldest which won the hearts of the gathering.  The traditional dinner prepared by M & M Caterers was served on banana leaves, enjoyed and appreciated by all.

 

The vice president Gladys Noronha proposed the vote of thanks.  Deepak Andrade and Susan Saldanha compered the programme.

 

Over 1,200 people were present through the celebration that will be cherished by the gathering.