Nativity Celebration at Most Holy Redeemer Church Derebail, 2022

'Monthi Fest' or the Feast of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated at Most Holy Redeemer Church Derebail on Thursday, 8 September, 2022. Preparations for the Feast was done with nine days of Novena participated by large number of people very specially children. The Novena masses were held at 5.30 in the evenings, followed by Novenas prayers and offering of flowers in front of the Grotto. The kids were offered with variety of sweets during the Novena days.
On the 8th of September, the Feast day, the parishioners assembled at Holy Family School Grounds at 7.30 a.m. where the ceremony began with a prayer service and the blessing of the new paddy grains. The ceremonial festal procession was rendered colourful with decorated Statue of Infant Mary, Brass Band, and choral singing. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Joseph Martis, Parish Priest and concelebrated by Fr Gerald Pinto and Fr Joel Pais. In his Homily, Fr. Joseph highlighted the significance of the day. He underscored the main aspect of the feast, namely family as the fundamental gift of God and how this feast should be an occasion to sit and eat together, visit the sick members of our families, and spend some time with the older folks of the family.
After the final blessing, the newly blessed Paddy grains were distributed by the ward Gurkars. The Parish Priest thanked all those who render their selfless service regularly in the church. He specially thanked the parishioners who had worked hard for the success of Monthi Fest Celebrations. He expressed gratitude to the parishioners who had generously contributed towards the feast expenses and they were honoured with a Mordom Candle. The Children's Choir added joy and vivacity to the Eucharistic solemnity.
The festivity within the church premise was amplified with the music of brass band and the sugarcane that was distributed to the parishioners.

Pictures: Simon Pereira