MOTHER MARY IS THE GODDESS OF FAMILY LIFE: FR ARCHIBALD GONSALVES

Mumbai, Sept. 08: The Nativity of Mother Mary was celebrated on a grand scale at St. Joseph Church, Mira road (E) Mumbai on Saturday morning.

Bishop Archibald Gonsalves (OCD) offered thanksgiving mass. He also blessed the paddy spikes, vegetables and cereal-grain crops offered by the farmers. Bishop Archibald expressed the importance and speciality of Monti Feast in his speech and blessed the devotees.

Rev. Fr. Melwyn D’Cunha (OCD)- Chief Parish Priest of St. Joseph church performed prayer and expressed his views.

Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Cunha, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Souza, Fr. Ronald D’Souza, Fr. Kannio Cardoza and Fr. Lancy Mendonca, Fr. Nelson Cardoza participated in the mass and huge number of devotees also participated in the religious rituals.

After mass, in collaboration with St. Joseph Konkani Welfare Association, the decorated idol of Velankanni Matha was taken in a procession. The devotees who participated in the grand procession exchanged greetings. Robert Bhandary sponsored a cake weighing 180kg and the priest celebrated the Nativity of Mother Mary by cutting the cake.

The annual celebration was held under the direction of Fr. Melwyn D’Cunha- Spiritual Director of St. Joseph Konkani Welfare Association and Digo Rodrigues- president of the association, Wilson D’ Souza- vice-president, Lawrence Mathias- Treasurer, Jerald D’ Souza- Joint Secretary, John Corea- the Joint treasurer, Josy Gonsalves- Cultural Secretary, Victor Mascarenhas- Joint Secretary, former office bearers of the association John Crasta, Arun Noranha, Denis Rebello, Hilda Seravo and other members were present on the occasion. The fest was celebrated in a way which is being practiced by the Konkani Christian community people of Karnataka coastal region.