News from the Province of St. Mary, New York- Monti Fest:
Away from Mangalore and already adapted
to western culture but nothing could stop us celebrating Monti Fest.
Under the leadership of the newly elected president of Mangalorean
Catholic Association of the East Coast (MCA ) Mr. Roshan Menezes, we
celebrated Monti Fest on September 6th at Our Lady of Fatima Church, New
Jersey. Nearly 300 people signed in for the celebration. Fr. Augustine
Claude D’Souza Ofm Cap., Spiritual Director for the Association presided
over the Konkani Mass. Fr. Augustine in his homily insisted the
importance of family life in the modern world and explained why do
Catholics call Mary the Ark of the New Covenant. Sakkad Sangatha Melyam
Konkani hymn helped us to reflect back our faith tradition, family bond
and culture of Mangalore. Little children offered flowers to Our Lady
with devotion and faith. After the Mass cultural Program and games were
held and a grand dinner was served with variety of vegetables. (Pothrade,Kuvalo,Tendli
Sono,Alsande Sukkhe,Veg Pulao, Payasam and for snacks Masala wada,
Plantain Pakora and Sheera for snacks). To emphasize the level of
tradition, everyone was served on banana leaves, as is the custom within
the villages in and around Mangalore.
Brother Orfin Menezes from St Antony’s province, Goa was with us. Who
came for summer help out at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Port Chester, New
York joined us for city sightseeing.
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