The Christ the King statue at Colva was brought by the Goans who emigrated from East Africa to the UK because of their devotion to the village. The annual celebration takes place around 2 weeks after the Colva Fama.
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
After a gap of three years, the Colva Union UK hosted a mega event to celebrate its 47th anniversary on October 22, to commemorate the Feast of Infant Jesus.
The 47th anniversary of the Colva Union UK at Hounslow on October 22.
The event began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Feroz Fernandes at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, 15 The Green Heston, Hounslow, at 4 pm, followed by a social gathering at the Pope John Centre next door.
Over 200 people attended the event which was fully sold out and music was provided by the Goan band 'Treble Makers'. The MCs for the day, Antonio Fernandes and Russel Rodrigues, got the crowd into the mood, while the buffet and desserts were organised by Snack Hack.
The Colva Union UK President Saby Fernandes thanked the people for participating in the Mass and celebrations.
He said the people had been eagerly looking forward to the event since the last event was organised three years ago and there was a gap due to the Covid pandemic.
THE COLVA UNION UK
The Colva Union UK was the first Goan club to be established by the Goans who emigrated from East Africa to the UK 47 years ago because of the devotion to their village in Colva, Goa to Menino Jesus.
It all started when they installed the statue of Christ the King on the ground of the Colva Church. The story goes that the statue of Christ the King was carried from Kenya in East Africa by ship to Goa and then, devotees actually went by cycle and carried the statue to Colva.
One of the reasons the Colva Union UK has stood the test of time is a very strong bond between founder members, with a good and transparent accounting process in place. Yearly accounts are audited and this has led to full transparency among members on the utilisation of funds.
Colva Union UK President Saby Fernandes seen along with MC Antonio Fernandes at the function on October 22.
All the presidents over the years took a key part to what the Colva Union UK is today. While some of the immediate past presidents like Gabriel Fernandes were involved in restoring the damaged Christ the King statue foundation in Colva, Joe Vaz continued running the Colva Union UK during the difficult Covid period.
Antonio Fernandes, past president of Colva Jaycees and Chairman of Institute of Hospitality (IOH), said when he became President of the Colva Union UK, one of his priorities was to train, mentor and lead the next generation of leaders to carry on the legacy of Colva Union UK.
“One of the tasks done by the Colva team in UK during the last few years was to train young and aspiring members to lead the Colva Union UK in a planned and professional manner with clear and audited accounting each year,” said Antonio Fernandes.
“We also trained them to keep up the ethos and dignity of Colva. They also have the Christ the King statue in Colva as part of their devotion to their roots in Goa,” Fernandes said.
“The present mix of senior members in the background but the new team of aspiring leaders is hopefully taking our roots, culture, ethos and respect in years to come,” he added.
Gabriel Fernandes, former president of the Colva Union UK, said the funds collected are used to offer Mass for members and distribute food items to the poor in Colva once a year.
“The money raised has also been used to carry out repairs and maintenance of the statue in Colva.”
“Really, we should have been celebrating the 49th year, but since we did not celebrate during Covid we did not count those years,” said Gabriel Fernandes, who served as president of Colva Union UK from 2013 to 2015 and is now a committee member who guides the younger members.
The 47th anniversary of the Colva Union UK at Hounslow on October 22.
