Mangalore Diocese News

By Vinod T Dsouza

Mangaluru, Aug 19 : As part of the preparations for Konkani Manyata Diwas, St. Sebastian Church, Bendur, organized a Konkani Singing Competition for the parishioners on 17th August 2025 in the Church Hall. The event was jointly organized by the Catholic Action League (CAL), Catholic Sabha, YCS, Youth Commission, and Family Commission.

The competition was held in Solo, Duet, and Group categories, with participants classified into different age groups. The program began with a hymn sung by the choir members, invoking God’s blessings on the occasion. Mr. Vinod Dsouza, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Parishad, welcomed the gathering and introduced the distinguished judges:

• Mr. Dheeraj Lobo, High School Counsellor, St. Aloysius Gonzaga School, Mangaluru, and a renowned singer associated with the Blue Angels Choir, Echoes Choir and Youth choir Bendur.
• Sr. Lolita, from Bethany Mother House, In-charge of St. Sebastian School, Bendur, and an accomplished singer.

The Parish Vicar felicitated the judges with a token of appreciation. In his message, he expressed gratitude to all the participants and organizers for their enthusiastic involvement. He stressed the importance of promoting and preserving the Konkani language through music, literature, and cultural activities, and urged everyone to inspire the younger generation to take pride in their mother tongue. He concluded his address with a melodious Konkani song, which added charm to the event.

The competition witnessed soulful solos, melodious duets, and vibrant group performances, all showcasing the richness of Konkani music and the immense talent of parishioners. The lively and smooth flow of the program was ably managed by Mr. Allwyn Dsouza, who compered the proceedings with energy and humor.

At the end of the event, Mrs. Patsy Britto, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Parishad, proposed the vote of thanks, appreciating the efforts of the organizers, participants, judges, and all who contributed to the success of the program.

The prizes for the winners will be distributed during the grand celebration of Konkani Manyata Diwas on 24th August 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Platinum Jubilee Hall.

The Konkani Singing Competition not only showcased the musical talents of the parishioners but also stood as a testament to the parish’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Konkani language and culture.