STANY GERALD D’SOUZA
CHICAGO: The Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association,(MKCA) celebrated its annual unique cultural program of Monti Fest earlier this month at St. Hubert’s Church Hall in Hoffman Estate, a northside suburb of Chicago. The program was well attended by the Mangalorean Catholics around Illinois and surrounding states.
This event signifies the simple love and devotion of Mother Mary in accepting the heavenly call and sharing her life towards the betterment of the human race. Traditionally, this event also signifies the unity and nurturance among kith and kin by offering the new crop to the creator and partake it with family. This celebration is similar in its concept to Ganesh Chaturthi in India, Onam in Kerala and Thanksgiving in the USA.
The program began with a procession of celebrants and children offering flowers to express their love, respect and devotion to the birth of Mother Mary.
MKCA vice president, Lancy D’Souza thanked all the participants for taking part in MKCA family programs for the past 16 years. He acknowledged Fr. Mike Scherschel for his support to MKCA. Fr. Carlos Pereira blessed the new crop (Novem), which was produced in India and all the participants partook the “Novem in Roce”. Program compere Steven D’Souza requested all the participants to savor the taste of Mangalorean snacks
The attendees were excited to participate in games arranged by Roopa Mesquita. There was a wonderful Bonanza of vegetarian menu consisting of nine items along with “Sannam” (idli) and dessert “Vorn” for. All this was home prepared by the MKCA family members. The participants enjoyed taking over the floor and danced to the tunes of Konkani, Hindi, Spanish and English songs provided by DJs Damita and Sebastian D’Souza.
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