Illinois, USA: The Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA) celebrated its 23rd Annual Monti Fest celebration on September 6 at St. Hubert’s Church Hall at Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Monti Fest celebration is unique to the Mangalorean community. This festival is like Thanksgiving in the USA and in India, it is celebrated in different forms like Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Nag Panchami, Teej, Rath Yathra, Hornbill, etc. Mangaloreans celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary’s birthday and give thanks to Mother Mary in gifting us with Jesus Christ the savior of the world and providing us with a new crop of the season. During this time a new crop is blessed and distributed to the devotees, who take them home and have a family get-together to celebrate the birth of Mother Mary.
There was a Mass at St. Hubert’s Church which the MKCA members and guests attended. The first and second readings at the Mass were read by the members of MKCA.
The Cultural program was initiated by a welcome note from the President of MKCA, Leonard Lobo Shenoy. Associate Pastor Rev. Oswald Nkyanungi did the blessing with holy water and then the offering of the flowers ceremony was conducted. All children participated in this ceremony. Novem was then distributed to everyone who attended.
Leonard shared with the audience the history of MKCA where Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Founder and President of MKCA, pioneered the work of the formation of MKCA along with other founder members of the Association. He briefed the audience about the origin of this feast and how it was celebrated back in India. He thanked the Parish Priest Rev. Tomy Abraham and Associate Pastor Fr. Oswald Nkyanungi for their generosity in providing the venue.
Leonard thanked the organizing committee for their relentless support of the program’s success. He recognized the efforts of the members and their families in preparing a great variety of Mangalorean ethnic food for the program. He recognized the members and guests who contributed to the program.
Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu gave an eulogy to veteran Konkani artist Late Eric Ozario and MKCA member Appoline Symphrosa Lewis who had passed away recently.
The current Executive Committee’s 2-year term ends at the end of this year and hence a team for the next 2 years was put together. The next Executive Committee team will be effective 1st January 2026 and the names are as follows - Savio Pais (President), Russel Mendes (VP), Canice Pinto (Treasurer), Rohan Fernandes (Secretary) and Ruben Mendes (Joint Secretary).
Many games for children and adults were conducted by Patcy Lasrado supported by Canice Pinto and Rohan Fernandes. The people were very enthused by the games, and it spread a lot of joy. The first prize winners were Maya Menezes, Elisha, Roshan Mendes and Promila Menezes. The other winners were Ethan Fernandes, Gia D’Souza, Lily Cecilia Honey and Sudhakar. The winners were then awarded prizes by the President.
As President, Leonard led the group in the grace before meals prayer and then the attendees had a sumptuous ethnic dinner with lots of authentic Mangalorean vegetarian dishes which had been prepared by volunteers of MKCA.
Finally, Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu sang the Laudate hymn and the audience joined in the singing.
-Leonardo Lobo Shenoy
ನಿರಂತರ ಅಪ್ಡೇಟ್ಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ ನ್ಯೂಸ್ ಟೆಲಿಗ್ರಾಂ ಚಾನೆಲ್ಗೆ ಜಾಯಿನ್ ಆಗಿ
ಉಪಯುಕ್ತ ನ್ಯೂಸ್’ ಫೇಸ್ಬುಕ್ ಪುಟ ಲೈಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ
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