Contingent included 100-member choir which was due to perform in Rome for a concert to celebrate Jubilee of Teenagers
The ‘Rhythmix Goa’ choir group along with Vance Gregory Machado, Fr Lucas Rodrigues and parents after celebrating the Konkani Mass at the Chiesa Di Giovanile San Lorenzo on Friday morning.
Photo Credits: Ridge Mascarenhas
LONDON
They were scheduled to perform for a concert to mark the Jubilee of Teenagers in the Vatican from April 25 to 27, but the choir group ‘Rhythmix Goa’ from Swindon left for Rome on Thursday to attend the funeral service of Pope Francis.
The 210-member contingent, comprising 100 choir members between the ages of 4 and 17, along with 110 parents and representatives, will be the largest group of Goans from a specific place to participate in the funeral service of the departed pontiff.
Leading the group is Vance Gregory Machado, who hails from Ponda, and the spiritual guide Fr Lucas Rodrigues, a Pilar Father who is Parish Priest at Holy Rood Swindon, and Goan Chaplain to Swindon.
On account the death of Pope Francis, the choir members along with their families headed to Rome to attend the funeral.
Speaking to The Goan, Vance stated that the ‘Rhythmix Goa’ choir group had been selected to sing and dance at the Jubilee of Teenagers.
“All of us are very sad over the death of Pope Francis, however, we will get the opportunity to attend the Pope’s funeral, a once-in-a-life opportunity,” said Vance, while speaking to The Goan shortly before the choir group left for Rome.
The choir members and their families left in different flights. About 60 of them travelled together and landed in Rome at 11 pm on Thursday.
“All of us made sure that we checked in as quick as possible and made to our way to St Peter's Basilica to pay our final respects to Pope Francis. All of us reached home by 3 am. We only had three hours of sleep before everybody got up again and got ready for the Konkani Mass as we needed to be in the church by 7 am,” said Vance while in Rome.
On Friday, Fr Lucas celebrated Mass in Konkani at the Chiesa Di Giovanile San Lorenzo and the ‘Rhythmix Goa’ choir group sang during the service.
Between 10 am and 7 pm, the choir went on a tour and staged promotional performances at the Colleseum, Piazza Venezia, Chiesa Del Gesu, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Piazza del Popolo.
On Saturday morning, the Goan contingent from Swindon will attend the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis at the St Peter’s Basilica. In the evening, they are scheduled to sing for Holy Mass at a church in Rome.
On Sunday, the choir members will participate in the Jubilee Mass at St Peter’s Basilica and will later proceed to the airport to fly back to the UK.
“Our musical repertoire ranges from pop to classic, and other youth music. Apart from singing in church, the choir also took part in other social activities,” said Vance.
Vance admitted that he had been devastated by Pope Francis' death, and recalled the unforgettable moment when he had met Pope Francis in October 2024.
“During the meeting, I had asked Pope Francis for his blessings on the choir to perform at the Jubilee celebration. The moment of meeting the Pope was absolutely beautiful and the best day of my life,” recalled Vance.
Fr Lucas Rodrigues, who will also be concelebrating at Mass during the funeral service of Pope Francis, said the choir members and their families were filled with mixed emotions.
“The Rhythmix Goa choir was definitely looking forward with great enthusiasm and joy to perform and be a part of the Jubilee celebrations this weekend in Rome. Hearing the sad news of the death of our beloved Pope, there was sadness and some disappointment within the group of 100 children and their families,” Fr Lucas told The Goan.
“Vance Machado, the group leader rushed to meet me to discuss the plans and changes. I could see the disappointment on his face, yet he was positive to this sudden development.”
“Addressing the parents and children, I said, let’s offer our prayers for the repose of Pope Francis, who loved the Church so much, specially reaching out to the poor, less privileged, the broken and the lost.”
Fr Lucas said he had an opportunity to be a part of the General Audience of Pope Francis in 2018.
“I’m looking forward to concelebrate the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. A Pope with a wonderful mission centred around the True Good Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus. His unconditional love and never-say-die spirit towards the poor and the underprivileged people is the true nature of the Catholic Church,” said Fr Lucas.
“Pope Francis’ teaching on Mercy and Forgiveness, his love for poor and unfortunate and his pastoral teaching touched me and my mission as a missionary pastor too.”
The ‘Rhythmix Goa’ choir started in 2017 with only 25 members, but now has a strength of nearly 150. They practice at the Holy Cross School, Swindon, every Saturday. 
The ‘Rhythmix Goa’ choir from Swindon-UK
