Sharjah: St Michael’s Church, Sharjah, got permission from the authorities to restart public religious services from 8th September 2020, on the day of the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary. Hence, St Michael’s Mangalorean Konkani Community (SMMKC) Sharjah, under the guidance of spiritual director Fr Stephen Lewis, celebrated the Monthi Fest on September 10th with social distancing and limitations as per local regulations and guidelines of Sharjah Government Authorities.
Around 50 people comprising twelve children above the age of 12 years, volunteers, lay ministers offered flowers to Mother Mary at the church grotto and nearly 250 Konkani Christians participated in the Solemn High Eucharistic Celebration. All through this service social distancing and other rules and regulations were strictly observed by everyone. The Celebration was initiated with a nine days’ novena which was held from September 2nd to September 10th. Six days of these novenas were observed through an online service which included the novena prayers, flower showering to infant Mother Mary by Fr Stephen followed by Holy Mass. 8th September onwards the services were held both online as well as in-public for the benefit of various members of the Konkani community. Additionally, an online “Night Vigil” was also held on Thursday, September 3.
In order to encourage children, 2 competitions were held during novena days. An altar servers Bible Quiz and a Mother Mary’s altar decoration competition. The Bible Quiz was held under two age groups for altar servers of 8 – 12 years and 13 years and above and the Mother Mary altar decoration competition was held under two categories – Before flower shower and After flower shower.
On Thursday, September 10th, the evening celebration started at 8.00 pm with the showering of flowers at Mother Mary’s grotto. Fr Stephen and Fr Varghese Chempoly (parish priest of St Michaels church) led the novena and prayer ceremony. The service began with the traditional hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan” and flowers were showered to infant Mother Mary with the singing of “Moriyek Hogollsiyan”. The new “Khanshi” (rice corn) was blessed at the grotto and then brought into the church in a procession by the priests, children who showered flowers, lay ministers and the members of SMMKC represented by Ronald D’souza. The statue of Infant Mary was carried ceremoniously by Flavy D’Mello who was the main sponsor of the celebration.
The Solemn High Mass was presided over by Fr Stephen Lewis and con-celebrated by Fr Varghese Chempoly, the Parish Priest, St Michaels Church, Sharjah. Godwin D’Souza led the choir in solemn singing during the holy mass, which was much appreciated and applauded by the entire gathering. Winners of various children competitions were announced before the final blessings and prizes were received with great joy and enthusiasm while the congregation applauded the efforts of all children who participated in the competition. Fr Stephen Lewis and Ronald Dsouza addressed the gathering and congratulated the SMMKC Committee for organizing such a wonderful and memorable celebration despite such difficult times. They also thanked the local authorities, congregation, community members plus various individuals and sponsors for offering their help and support during such difficult times. After the high mass, kanshi and snack packets were distributed to the gathering as they dispersed.
Monthi Fest 2020 was a memorable one for SMMKC members. Despite difficult times of the Covid19 pandemic, the community still managed to enjoy the experience of Mangalorean traditions of this beautiful feast with devotion and enthusiasm. Everyone returned home joyfully and with a firm belief that Monthi Fest 2021 will be a normal, solemn and wonderful celebration as it used to be all these past years.
