Kuwait: To thank the Almighty and Mother Mary, United Mangaloreans Kuwait (UMK) members along with their families and guests gathered to celebrate the feast of Nativity at the community hall in Salmiya, Kuwait on Friday, 11 September 2015.
The programme started at 7:30 pm with a warm welcome by Praveen Castelino, and continued with the prayer service led by Flavia Lobo. Infant Mary’s statue was brought in a procession while singing the Konkani hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melyan”. Clifford and Lucy Aranha led the procession followed by children carrying beautiful flowers to offer to Mother Mary. Nirmala Machado and Vrinda Lewis sang the hymn “Moriyek Hogollsiya” while the children showered colourful flowers on Mother Mary. Doris Lobo, Suzette Pinto, Delma Lobo, Sarah Lobo, Aaral Noronha and Nicole Machado recited the Rosary and prayers prepared by Joseph D’Souza in Konkani very meaningfully.
The Blessed corn (novem) mixed with milk was distributed to all those who had gathered.
In his welcome speech, Gurkar of UMK Agnel Saldanha, who always believes in unity as the main strength of existence, requested all the members to work hard to bring smiles on the faces of the less fortunate brethren back home in India. He thanked God Almighty and Mother Mary for blessing UMK to stage five successful Fun Filled Evenings, which contributed huge amount of funds to six needy institutions, where aged, sick, bedridden, mentally retarded, handicapped and orphans are taken care of.
Agnel thanked each and every member for making the Monti Fest celebrations a memorable one. He concluded his speech invoking the blessings on the forth coming Fun Filled Evening 2015 scheduled on Friday, 13 November 2015 at the American International School, Maidan Hawally, Kuwait, in aid of St. Joseph Prashantha Nivas, Jeppu, Mangaluru.
Nirmala Machado entertained the gathered with exciting fun filled games. Sunil Mendonca entertained by playing soothing devotional hymns and fast numbers to the sounds provided by Illuminations Anand D’Souza.
Saritha Noronha led the prayer before meal. Prem Crasto, Avil Fernandes and Marvin Ferrao captured the moments of the event.
While seated on the floor, guests enjoyed the authentic and traditional food consisting varieties of vegetables, mouth watering “pathrode” and “vorn” prepared by UMK family members, served on “shiroti” (banana leaf). The event concluded with the singing of “Laudate”.