Muscat: Nativity Feast Celebrated by Ghala Mangalorean Community
By Arun Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network
Muscat, 11 September 2011: The tradition of Mangalore celebrating the nativity Feast of Mother Mary was organized the Konkani catholic community of The Holy Spirit Catholic Church – Ghala, on Friday, 9th September, 2011 at 5.00 PM.
The celebration began with recitation of Rosary at the Grotto, blessing of “Novem” hand-picked from the paddy fields of our homeland followed by showering of flowers to infant Mary by children. The Eucharistic celebration was held at the Basket Ball Court By Rector of St Joseph’s seminary – Jeppu, Mangalore. Fr Albert D’Silva, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church – Ghala was the co-celebrant. Children carrying as concelebrant. Mr. John Gonslaves, The Representative of Mangalorean Community to the Parish welcomed the congregation for the Eucharistic celebration and thanked Mother Mary for her abundance blessings on the Mangalorean community during the past years.
The Holy Eucharistist celebration was made more meaningful with the melodius Konkani hyms sung by the Konkani Choir Group of Ghala Church led by Mr. Oswald Dsouza and Avil Cutinho on Key board. Little children with their tender voices gracefully sang “Monthi Saibhin Aajh Jalmalya” hymn to commemorate the Birthday of Our Heavenly Mother. Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis, in his Homily conveyed the most important message of the role of Mother everybody’s life and gave example of St Monica who prayed for the conversion of Her Son St Augustine and Husband. He also highlighted the love and sacrifice of our earthly mothers in taking care of their children may be good or who are difficult to be cared. Finally he concluded with the Mother Mary Love for her children in this earth. He emphasized that we all must remain faithful to God as well as to each other to safeguard our moral values with a view to build strong family ties and create a better society.
Fr. Albert D’Silva - the Parish Priest instrumental in keeping the Mangalorean flock together cohesive like a well knit fabric, expressed his feeling on this happy occasion to the gathering and thanked each & everyone responsible for making the celebration most beautiful & meaningful. Michael Goveas the core committee member of the Mangolorean community of the parish proposed the vote of thanks.
The congregation was systematically guided by the volunteers throughout the celebration of the Holy Mass and thereafter for the cultural Show. After the Mass, the blessed Paddy Corns (Novem) and the holy pictures of Mother Mary were distributed to all adults and all the children received goody bags with items sponsored from different companies of Oman.
Soon after the Holy Eucharistic Celebration , a fun filled cultural programme was organized by the mangalorean parishioners and their children of Holy spirit Church Ghala. The cultural programme was inaugurated By Rev. Fr. Joseph Martis Along with the core committee members and organizers by releasing the white Doves which marked the significance of carrying back the message of Peace and Love to our Home Country. He also symbolically blessed the traditional food items prepared by the Community to mark the feast of Nativity as a Family reunion. Mr. Stany Menezes in a traditional way ( Chombu with Panpod in a tray ) raised the toast and welcomed the gathering to partake the Meal. While the serving was on, the cultural programme entertained the gathering and added fun filled atmosphere to the lip smacking vegetarian delicacies served on the Banana Leaf in a traditional way.
The cultural show had various traditional Konkani Songs sung by famous Konkani singers of the mangalorean community of Ghala Parish The famous songs “Anjelina”, “Bosi Bhorun Vaad, “Sobith Ek Ghar Kelah”, “Jivithanth re Mumshya”, “Eka Disa Eka Cholyan Maka Dolho Modilo” “Kenna Kenna”and the current Global fever of “Mobile” were melodiously sung by the singers. The Children and adults entertained the gathering with mesmerizing dance performance both spiritual, Odyssey and folk including Hindi Fusion Dance numbers. The Dance was choreographed by Ms. Glenda Castelino and Molly Pinto. In addition to the songs and Dance numbers the crowd was entertained with skit and suspense of Raffle draws and spot prizes.
The whole cultural show was marvelously compeered by Nirmala Goveas and Lavina Dsa’. Finally the Band group - Robert D’souza, Sunil D’Sa, Rony Mathew and Zino Saldanha, set the stage on festive mood giving their fine music for the songs and Baila at the end. The whole programme was successfully organized and staged by the efforts of all the members of the mangalorean community of Ghala Parish making it a memorable event for the eyes of Children and all adults gathered. Mr. Edward Mendonca and his team made necessary seating arrangements and guided the gathering for mass and meal. Mr. Sylvester Alva along with his team took over in organizing the Food arrangements.
It was indeed a cooperative effort of the whole community who worked hand in hand taking up various responsibilities of arrangements, collecting sponsors, cooking, organizing the cultural show etc to make it indeed a memorable occasion for all.