Mumbai, Sep. 10: St John Konkani Community&Konkani Couples for Christ (CFC) jointly celebrated ‘Monti Fest’, feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary at St. John Evangelist Church, Marol, Andheri(E).

Rev. Fr. Prakash Moras Siddakatte, offered thanksgiving mass and blessed the paddy spikes and also blessed the devotees by distributing the paddy spikes. Fr. Glen D’Mello participated in the Holy Mass. Rocky D’Silva and Nancy Louis offered prayer. Later, the decorated idol of Mother Mary was taken in a procession to the Evangelist School Auditorium.

In the program, organized at the auditorium, Rev. Fr. Clement D’Lima- Parish Priest of St. John Church, Rev. Fr. S. Lonappan- Assistant Priest, Rev. Fr.Patrick D’Mello, Fr. Glen D’Mello, Ananta Ammembal- Executive member of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra, Godfrey Pimenta- Social worker, Julie Shinde of Marathi Association, Prashanth Seravo- Musician, Sebastian Fernandes, Savio D’Souza, Peter Lopes, Stephen Louis were present as guests of honor.

Rev Fr. Prakash Moras explained the importance of Monti Fest, culture and traditions in his speech and blessed the traditional vegetarian food that was prepared.

Augustine Suaris - president of the St. John Konkani Community organization, vice-presidents- Sunitha Suaris and Jessy Fernandes, Mary Fernandes- Secretary, Thomas Pereira- Joint Secretary, James D’Sa- Treasurer, Clement D’Silva- joint treasurer, members of the executive committee- Ida Pinto, Rubin Rodrigues, Rita D’Souza, Claud Montero Modankapu, Thelma D’Sa, Leena Lasrado, Wilfred Mascarenhas, including Tonse Lawrence D’Souza, Sunitha A. Suaris, Br. Lawrence D’Souza Marol, Elias Fernandes and others were present at the program. Guests of honor felicitated the talented people and the organizers of the program by offering bouquets and congratulated them.

Riona Pinto, Jenifer Pais and Sara D’Souza performed Prayer dance. Children exhibited Prayer songs and dance performances. Female and male members of the organization performed group dances. Pramila D’Mello welcomed the gathering. Agnes Mascarenhas compered the program. Walter Lasrado Loretto and Leena Lasrado offered beetle leaves, jaggery & water to the guests. Augustine Suaris proposed the vote of thanks.