By Victor Sequeira

New York, September 9, 2009:  Belle Parishioners along with their friends and well wishers in USA celebrated Monti Fest in New York on 6th September with devotion and dedication to Mother Mary. There were about 75 people coming from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, Texas & Chicago.

In his introductory address, Mr. Fredrick Fernandes, President of Bellevision USA stressed the need to follow the culture and traditions though we live in a foreign land.
  
All people along with children carrying flowers participated in a procession singing Sakkad Sangatha Melya and offered flowers to  Mother Mary by singing Moriyek Hogolsiya.
  
A solemn High Mass was celebrated with Rev. Fr. Maurice D’Souza CSC  (Main Celebrant ) with  Rev.  Fr. Henry Richard Vaz and  Rev.Fr. Norbert D’Mello who concelebrated the mass. Fr. Maurice in his homily touched upon the core family values that we should imitate from Mother Mary.  He also insisted upon reciting the daily prayers together as a Family. A Family that prays together stays together was his message to all.

Freshly home grown vegetables, Corn and paddy was blessed and distributed to the participants.
 
Following the holy mass, Rev. Fr. Maurice inaugurated the Konkani Learning Initiative for the benefit of  children.  This initiative was appreciated by all the parents gathered here.

Games, cultural activities, music and dance formed part of this celebration.  A grand thanksgiving Vegetarian Dinner (Novem Jevan)  which was organized by all Mangaloreans attending this function, under the direction and supervision of  Stany  & Lorna Ferrao was the befitting finale to this event.

All participants thanked the office bearers of Bellevision USA, especially Fredrick Fernandes, Victor Sequeira, Violet Monis, Juliana Ferrao as well as all people who organized and co-ordinated this event.

Click here for Photo Album 1

Click here for Photo Album 2