Chicago: The Mangalorean Konkan Christians Association celebrated its 16th annual Nathal Fest (Christmas Celebration) at Viceroy of India Banquet Hall at Lombard, Illinois. There were representatives from the Indian Catholic Association of America and Goan Association, who attended this programme along with a number of guests from around Chicago and area.
The programme was initiated with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira and co-celebrant Rev. Fr. Walter Mendonca, SVD. During the celebration, Fr. Sequeira welcomed all the attendees for coming together as a Konkan Christian community in celebrating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ.
In his homily, Fr. Mendonca called upon all the attendees to be one in Christ’s likeness, so that they could deliver love and hope to others. He said that Christ was born in a manger as a poor human being by foregoing all the divine eternal greatness, just to guide the human race how to lead a humble life and at the same time to be great in sharing the worldly belongings that one has with the less fortunate. He also condoled with the people of Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands, where he works as a Parish Priest. He said that the two hurricanes that hit the island washed away 90 percent of the homes, where 25,000 people were living. Both the hurricanes – Irma and Maria were category 5 hurricanes and one of them had wind gusts of 250 MPH. He stated that after this there were no trees with any leaves left behind. He said that the people of the island still lived with hope and they need a lot of help to sustain themselves.
There was a Konkani Choir comprised of the MKCA members under the leadership of Concy Mesquita. All the participants enjoyed the Konkani hymns.
President of MKCA Vissia D’Souza in her welcome speech thanked all the participants for their support towards the MKCA programmes in the past two years of her tenure. She invited her executive committee members to the dais and stated that without their help, she could not have achieved great success in all the programmes that were conducted. She also acknowledged all the chairpersons, who took leadership of the past two years’ programmes. She also honoured 3 members with President’s Award. While awarding the plaques to Jossie Mendonca, Dorothy Rego and Concy Mesquita, she said they had shown unparalleled and unconditional commitment, dedication and consistency in their respective areas of expertise. She said that without them the MKCA would not be the same.
Former president and compere of the programme Steven D’Souza conducted musical chairs game for children and adults with a new twist! All participants enjoyed the games, like there was no tomorrow. The former president and current Secretary of the Association Queenie Mendonca, conducted the best dressed adult male and female competition. All the participants of this game and the members present enjoyed the cat-walk of the women and majestic moves of the men.
The organisers conducted a 50-50 raffle in an effort to support the victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria in the British Virgin Islands. Association Vice President Roshini Carvalho conveyed her gratitude to all the members who prepared “Kuswar” (Konkani Christmas sweets), celebrants of the Holy Eucharist and all the participants for making the programme a grand success.
The participants enjoyed couple dance and group dance to the tunes of Konkani, Spanish, Hindi and English songs played by DJ Shrey. All the participants received free Kuswar packets, courtesy-members of the MKCA.
