The eight presidents who have served the Goan Association in Paris cut the cake to mark the silver jubilee of the association.
PARIS
The Goan Association in Paris marked its silver jubilee with a grand celebration on October 13.
The jubilee celebration, attended by over 150 Goans residing in Paris, began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration in Konkani at the Church of Saint Dominique, Paris. Fr Elvin Lopes, OFM, presided over the Eucharist, while Fr Kelwin Monteiro, SJ delivered the homily.
The Eucharist began with a procession led by the current and the seven former presidents of the Goan Association in Paris with their wives by their sides. The choir for the Eucharist was led by the Afonso Family, comprising the mother and her three daughters. The lectors and commentators for the Mass comprised current and seven former presidents of the Goan Association.
The Eucharist was followed by a solemn procession with the image of Our Lady of Fatima, from the Church to the celebration venue, which was the basement of the same Church. The Master of the ceremony Mr. Melvin D Nogueiro began the get-together with the cutting of the 25th anniversary cake by the eight presidents who have served the Goan Association.
The eight presidents who have served the Goan Association in Paris were felicitated at the silver jubilee celebrations of the association.
Antonio Marie Figueiredo, the first president of the Goan Association, raised the toast providing the audience with a brief history of the origin and the activities of the Association, while Georgina Gonsalves sang the toast song. Camilo Cardozo, the current and the only president with two-terms to his credit (each term comprising three years) delivered the vote of thanks.
During the celebrations, the eight presidents of the Goan Association, Anton Marie Figueiredo, Alex Alfonso, Francis D’souza, Elvin Jose Martins, Tomazino Rogtao, Lucio Cardozo, Caitan Periera and Camilo Cardozo were felicitated with a specially designed customised shawl and a wine bottle.
Goans taking part in the silver jubilee celebrations of the Goan Association in Paris.
The grand celebration consisted of an extravagant hall decoration, an extensive buffet prepared by the Goans themselves, DJ Mr. Shawn Fernandes played good music and had lots of fun while dancing. The celebration ended at about 6.30 pm.
“A tiny seed that was sown by a few Goans in 1999 has now grown into a mighty tree, which is the Goan Association. We are keen to keep our Goan culture and traditions alive in Paris,” said Goan Association President Camilo Cardozo.
