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September 25, 2016 Monti Fest is one of the biggest Mangalorean Catholic festivals held on 8th September every year. This festival celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and involves blessing of Novem (new crops).  It is celebrated with much fervour & gaiety by Kanarites & Kanarite associations all over India & even abroad! So for the first time in its 116-year old history, the Kanara Catholic Association (KCA), Mumbai celebrated the Monti Fest on September 25, 2016, at its Yuvakalaya premises in Bandra.  The plan was to give its members, many of whom are born & bred in Mumbai, a true feeling of being in Kodial on a feast day! Members were greeted with Banana & coconut leaf decorations at the entrance & the ladies were presented with Mogra flowers to adorn their hair!  Managing Council member, Mr Eric D’sa, who, as convenor of Monti Fest, planned the entire celebration with his team, welcomed the members & their families at the entrance. The celebration kicked off with a solemn Mass in Konkani celebrated by Bishop Percival Fernandez assisted by Fr Valerian D’souza, with a melodious Konkani choir led by Mr Wilfred Fernandes.  It was heartening to see the active participation of many of our English speaking members who sang & joined in the Konkani hymns & prayers from the booklet specially prepared for the occasion! The blessing of the new rice/paddy and sugar-cane followed (freshly flown in from the fields of the Konkan the previous day!) and the same was distributed to KCA members.  Then came the adoration of Mother Mary with flowers, first by the children & then the adults. The 2nd Issue of ‘Amchi Khobor’, the newly launched news magazine of the KCA Mumbai, was then released by Bishop Percy in the presence of Ms Angeline Pereira, the daughter of eminent Mangalorean, Mr Allen Pereira, who was featured in the issue.  A floral tribute was also paid to the portrait of Dr Stanny Patrao, community stalwart & past President of the KCA, by Dr Kranti Farias, whose literary tribute to him was featured in the Amchi Khobor magazine. After some light refreshments, members & their families proceeded for the cultural program, put together by the organising team, and led by the effervescent Ms Rolin Furtado, the MC for the day.  Mr Wilfred Fernandes and his group provided lively music in Konkani & English, and an entertaining time was had by all – with singing, dancing & games. Then followed the highlight of the program – the Grand Monti Fest lunch – ‘Novem Jovean’!  The traditional menu of nine different vegetable dishes, served on a banana leaf (with Mumbai-style pomfret curry thrown in for variety!), was thoroughly relished by all!  For most KCA members, it was their first experience of a Monti Fest celebration and there were many calls to make this an annual event in the KCA Mumbai calendar!  The contribution of Mr Eric D’sa, Mr Albert Machado and Ms Clara Menezes (Vice-President of the Association), ably assisted by the KCA staff, was much appreciated by all. Among the many Aims & Objectives of the KCA, the first one reads: “To foster a spirit of union & friendship among members and others“.  As the gathering slowly left the venue, after a thoroughly enjoyable morning, many of the members expressed that the Monti Fest celebration had achieved just that!! Cultural and Recreation Team MONTI FEST COVERED IN SECULAR CITIZEN! A report of the Monti Fest celebration was covered in the October 24th issue of the Secular Citizen magazine!  You can view or download the Magazine

July 23, 2016 The uneven sound of rain drops outside our hall was drowned by the sweet melody of music inside the hall!   The informal gathering, which came in casual wear at the KCA ground floor hall all looked set to have a good time.  Yes, dear members this was indeed one of the first in a series of such events in the months to come. The decor and the blue lights created an ambience of a perfect dance party for our members and their guests.   As the invitees trouped in, they were greeted by soft sweet music of yester-years, some of them tapping their feet to the beat and others trying to sing along.  It was good to see everyone hunting for a nice cosy place to settle down, to spend the evening set before them.  To see us through the evening, we had our very own member, Mr. Merwin D’souza, who as Master of Ceremonies lined up the type of music and coordinated the dance sections with the DJ.   While the music played, guest moved in to buy their favourite hot barbeque snacks which started rolling out from the charcoal pit.  Yes, some like it hot specially when the rains keep beating down!  There were other interesting snacks like Choris Pau, mutton cutlets etc. followed by a dinner choice of pork sorpotel with sannas, Chinese food and other tasty stuff…Hay, hay, we better stop before we make your mouths water!  We also had a doctor’s medicine corner where peg measures along with suitable mixtures were provided to enliven the spirits of the rain dancers! Shall we move to the dance floor??  As usual in the beginning there was slow action as everyone was waiting for someone to give the lead, but in no time the floor was full, and everyone was in motion to the beat.  There was good movement on the dance floor with thumping feet and swinging arms action just picked up and everyone was just about having a swinging time! This went on till the sound deadline time signaled – STOP.  But you know how it always happens no one likes to leave the dance floor when in the mood…we could hear loud shouts of More, More, More…More SURE ! We said until the next time……  Richard D’SouzaCultural and Recreation Team 

July 23, 2016   The Kanara Catholic Association has a new Managing Committee who has taken it upon itself to revive the “Mangalorean Review” published several decades ago.  The man who took the initiative and the driving force to start the news magazine was Mr Eric D’Sa, who put together a fine Editorial team, who in turn selected the name of the news magazine ‘AMCHI KHOBOR’, meaning ‘Our News’.  It will carry useful and interesting information about our community, our history and our heritage. Besides it will feature an outstanding Mangalorean who has done yeomen service to the community in Mumbai, as well as happenings and event of the core-committees. The launch of this magazine took place at a function held on July 23rd, 2016, at the KCA Community Hall in Bandra. The portraits of earlier Presidents Mr Mark Vaz and Mrs. Terry Vaz were honourably placed in prominence near the dais.  On the dais were Chief Guest, Bishop Percival Fernandes, the Editor, Freddy Mendonca with the Guests of Honour, Mr and Mrs Winston Vaz, flanked by Dr. Kranti Farias and Dr. Jeanette Pinto both who are on the Editorial Board. They were all felicitated with floral tributes.The function started with a welcome address by the Vice-President of the KCA, Ms Clara Menezes and the function was compered by the Hon. Secretary of the KCA, Mr Praveen Pereira.  He invited Mr. Freddy Mendonca to give the Introductory talk.  That was followed by Dr. Kranti Farias who spoke about the contribution of some of the earlier stalwarts of KCA, and appreciated them for their sacrifice & dedication. Thereafter, Dr. Jeanette Pinto spoke about Dr. Anil D’Cruz, who was profiled in the inaugural issue, praising his dedication to his work and admiring his humility.Bishop Percival was then invited to speak. He congratulated the Managing Committee for this initiative at a time when communication is the key to progress.  He also mentioned how happy he was to see that the KCA had been revived and expressed his desire and interest to remain connected with it.  He was happy to be part of the programme. Thereafter The guest of honour Mr Winston Vaz was requested to release AMCHI KHOBOR’.  It was a great moment for the gathering who cheered the initiative. The cover page reflected the coastline of Mangalore with a clump of coconut palms and a picture of people praying for peace. It was designed by Seedon D’Souza.   Thereafter Bishop Percival was invited to launch the website.  It was another auspicious moment, which called for a loud round of applause! The function ended with a Vote of Thanks followed by refreshments served to the all the guests.  Dr. Jeanette PintoEditorial Board