Feast of Nativity 2007 Celebrations
KCA UK upheld the roots of Konkani culture consecutively for the third time by feting the birthday of Mother Mary at the St. Kentigerns Church Manchester on 8th September 2007. The observance began at 10:00AM welcoming the KCA Members and guests by Ronald Lobo and Fr. George followed by the procession of reverencing Mother Mary.
Rev. Fr. Connolly, the Parish Priest of the St. Kentigerns Church welcomed Rev.Fr. George and the congregation.
Rev.Fr. George celebrated the Holy Mass by blessing the corns. The entire Eucharistic Celebration was well supported by the Choir with their integrated voices. The gratifying music by Mukesh and his team, further altered the flavour of this feast. The Hymns “Sakkad Sangata Melieam” and “Morieak Hogolsieam” was sung as one family and with one voice by the entire congregation.
Ravi Pinto, did the first reading followed by Diana Monis with the second. The prayer of the faithful was led by Santhosh Sequeira. The assemblage particularly remembered their respective families during this time.
At the end of the Holy Mass, the assemblage greeted one another conveying their joy’s on this occasion. The locus also witnessed members making phone calls to their families and receiving frequent beeps of SMS soon after the mass. All were welcomed to join the second part of the celebration at the social club adjacent to the church.
Ravi Pinto the President of the KCA welcomed and addressed the gathering. In his welcome speech he said that “This is the third consecutive year that KCA is celebrating this feast in Manchester”. It is an elated instant for all our Mangalorean Brothers and Sisters to gather and demonstrate their solidarity and maintain our Konkani Culture in a very distant land. He also wished that this unity be a source of inspiration and blessing to KCA from Mother Mary and continue ahead in the years to come”.
As a part of customary rites the apportioning of the New Corn Meal continued with the prayer by serving the milk flavoured with the blessed new corn. The entire function was brilliantly compeered by Vinod Barboza.
A concatenation of non stop cultural activities accompanied with the song by Benjamin. Musical Statue was organized by Santosh Pinto for the kids. This innovative programme led by Santosh Pinto wreaked lots of Applauds from the Audience. It witnessed a tie up between Liza D’souza and Riona Buthello due to their splendid acme performance, where the organizers were obligated to adjudicate the winners based upon the quiz question. This programme highlighted Rioana Buthello as the “KCA IDOL Statue of the year 2007” with Liza D’souza being the runner up.
he former President of KCA Ronald Lobo along with his artistic team members amused the audience with their multiple talents of Skit & Dance throughout the show. Songs were also sung by Ravi Pinto & Andrew.
As the clock ticked by it was the time to have the family meal together. Varieties of traditional vegetable dishes of seven types – Alu dhento, Chonem, Thendlim, Karathem, Alsando, Korumb, Moog anim Ambado were cooked along with sannas and Orn by the KCA Team Members Family and few of the guests who had volunteered to render their helping hands.
Soon after the Lunch, Santosh Pinto charmed the audience by commencing the games - Musical Chair for the ladies and the Children. Diana Lobo of Manchester & Varun Benjamin Gonsalves were declared as the winners at the end of these games. Bingo was another game organized for the entire members by Ronald Lobo and Santosh Sequeira. Arshiya Pereira, Precilla D’souza, Reena Pinto and Riona Buthello bagged the prizes in this game.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by the Vice President of KCA Stany Rodrigues. He thanked the KCA team members for all their support, The Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Conolly, & Rev.Fr.George who celebrated the mass. Richard D’silva of Birmingham for sponsoring the cool drinks and water. He also thanked one and all for their time in practising the choir, decorating the stage, the church, food arrangements, volunteers, and each and every member who have rendered their helping hand in making this function a grand success. He also thanked the gathering for their time and for the travel they have made from distant places. The success of this and the joyous celebration was concluded by the Baila dance where everyone participated.
