King of Comedy Agostinho and his troupe being welcomed by the Goan community in Ireland.
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
Staging the first Tiatr of its kind in Ireland was bound to excite the Goan community there and King of Comedy Agostinho and his troupe from the UK lived up to expectations by enthralling a packed audience with his Tiatr ‘Past is Past’ in Wicklow on July 2.
The Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra and Goan Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, S.F.X. the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Daltonganj in Jharkhand, were specially invited to the event, which has been described by the Irish media as a “landmark cultural event”.
Incidentally, the celebrations began in the morning itself, when members of the Goan community welcomed King of Comedy Agostinho and his troupe at the Dublin Airport to the enthusiastic chants of “Viva Goa, Viva Goa!”
Bishop Mascarenhas was welcomed by the congregation at the St Anthony's Church, Kilcoole. He later presided over the Mass at 11.30 am, which was also con-celebrated by Fr Suresh, Fr Valerian Castellino and Fr John, the parish priest at St Anthony’s Church.
After Mass, the Goan community converged at the Community Centre in Newtownmountkennedy, where Ambassador Mishra and his wife Reeti were welcomed by the gathering.
Over 250 people were then treated to King of Comedy Agostinho’s Tiatr ‘Past is Past’, staged by a troupe from the UK. The event also included dinner for the people.
On the occasion, Ambassador Mishra, his wife, Reeti, and Bishop Mascarenhas cut a cake to mark the Goan celebration at Newtown Community Centre.
When contacted, the organiser, Valentino Fernandes, told The Goan that there had been a massive turnout at the event.
“The event was very successful and there was so much joy and happiness among the Goan community. People came in from Wexford, Waterford, Killarney, Naas and everywhere to see it.
Some people came to the church in Kilcoole, and when they heard the choir, they just had to see them again at the concert!”
Stating that Wicklow was the perfect place to host the event, Fernandes praised the communities in Newtown and Kilcoole for their hospitality and to the local police for their support.
"It was a lot of work to organise the event, but it was well worth it,” Fernandes said.
Fernandes also appreciated his team, which included Thomas Fernandes, Ajoy Fernandes, Desmond Fernandes, Camilo Fernandes, Robert Fernandes, Tennyson, Dores, Velton, Joaquina Fernandes, Aldercy, Marcus Peixoto and Jumina Dias.
Be united, avoid conflicts: Bishop to Goans abroad
THE GOAN NETWORK | DUBLIN
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas during Mass at Ireland.
Photo: Sam Given
Goan Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, S.F.X., Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Daltonganj in Jharkhand, has exhorted Goans living abroad to be united, and to avoid conflicts with others and among themselves.
He was delivering his homily at Mass in the St Anthony's Church in Kilcoole-Wicklow in Ireland to mark the first major festival of the Goan community in Ireland on July 2.
“We are far from home each one for his own reason but even in these situation God entrusts us with the mission to live our faith and to witness to the teachings of Christ,” said Bishop Mascarenhas.
In his advice to Goans abroad, he connected the three readings at Sunday Mass by saying: “As Goans, we carry our faith. Learn to be generous, as taught in the first reading. Learn to look to heavenly things rather than be bothered about transitory earthly things, as pointed out in the second reading and if we are ready to lose our lives for Jesus and for others, we will be rewarded, as told by Jesus in today's gospel.”
“Finally, it is important that Goans living abroad have to be united, should avoid conflicts with others and among themselves. That will be the real witness to our faith and to our Goanness.”
Recounting his own mission, Bishop Mascarenhas said he lives in the missions of Jharkhand, often travelling in the jungles even encountering elephants, monkeys and snakes.
“Yet I enjoy it because God has entrusted me with the mission. Often you face difficulties and are burdened with worries. Take it as part of something that God has entrusted to you.”
