Fr Patrick D’Souza concelebrates the Thanksgiving Mass at the St Joseph’s Church in Wembley.
LONDON
Hundreds of Goans from different Goan Chaplaincy Mass Centres in and around London gathered in gratitude for a farewell Thanksgiving Mass and gathering for the outgoing Goan Chaplain, Fr Patrick D’Souza, at St Joseph’s Church, Wembley, on October 14.
The Goans thanked Fr Patrick for his decade-long service in the UK, profoundly impacting the Goan and wider community.
Describing him as a beacon of hope and light for Goans in UK who illuminated their paths with faith, compassion, and wisdom, they praised Fr Patrick for navigating the challenges faced by the Goan community and others, providing direction and support to those feeling lost.
As part of his chaplaincy, Fr Patrick had been serving the Mass Centres at Mitcham/Croydon, Hayes, Southall, Cranford, Hounslow, Wembley, Heathrow airport, Willesden, Greenford, Leicester and Forest Gate.
THANKSGIVING MASS
The Mass was con-celebrated by Fr Patrick, Fr Simplicio D’Souza from St Dominic's Catholic Church in Waddon, and Fr Renato Andrade, the new Goan Chaplain.
In his homily, Fr Patrick emphasised that like seeds sown by earlier Goan Chaplains, it is collective responsibility of the Goan community to bear fruit in faith, grounded in the teachings of Jesus.
During the offertory procession, representatives from each Goan Chaplaincy Mass Centre presented a lit candle symbolising Fr Patrick's role as a lighthouse, alongside the offerings of bread and wine. Members of Goan Associations offered rosaries and scapulars.
All the Mass Centres contributed in preparing the liturgy under the guidance of Fr Renato.
The Wembley Mass Centre choir enriched the service, while Mary Xavier read the introduction, Snovia Rodrigues did the first reading, Gabriel Fernandes did bidding prayers and Lina Travasso read the offertory prayers.
TRIBUTES, GRATITUDE
Charles Dias, who led the management of the Thanksgiving Mass and get-together, expressed gratitude to priests, and everyone involved in planning and attending the farewell for Fr Patrick. Charles presented a memento on behalf of St Joseph Parish. Jennifer Da Silva also paid tribute to Fr Patrick on behalf of all Mass Centres.
[From L to R] Fr Renato Andrade, Flavio Gracias, Joao da Cruz, Cosme D’Costa, Ciana D’Costa, Antonio Cunha, Fr Simplicio D’Souza, Fr Patrick D’Souza, Clayton Barreto, Simon Varella, and Charles Dias.
Fr Simplicio, reflecting on their shared seminary days, noted that while parting is always bittersweet, a priest's calling is to serve and move on, much like a rolling ball on a football pitch.
Fr Joseph Kaduthanam, Parish Priest of St Joseph’s RC Church, Wembley, said Fr Patrick was a popular priest in Wembley, who impressed everyone with his simplicity.
“He always explored new possibilities of pastoral care, be it Chaplaincy calendar, a magazine to share the chaplaincy news and arranging pilgrimages to wrap all the fruits of the pastoral initiatives,” said Fr Joseph.
Fr Renato acknowledged the sacrifices made by priests and emphasised the importance of proclaiming the Good News, stating that Fr Patrick has embodied this mission throughout his term as Goan Chaplain.
In a touching gesture, the Wembley Mass Centre presented Fr Renato with £6,000 for the priest formation fund at Society of Pilar, underscoring their commitment to nurturing future leaders in faith.
Fr Patrick expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone for attending the Thanksgiving Mass and for their encouragement, which inspired him throughout his ministry.
He acknowledged the warm reception he received in homes and extended his thanks to the Pilar Fathers, visiting priests, and all those who supported him.
He called for unity among Goan associations in the UK, emphasising the importance of collaboration for the well-being of the community.
GET-TOGETHER
The gathering continued at the adjoining pastoral centre, featuring entertainment and Goan cuisine prepared by the Wembley ladies.
A cultural programmes is presented at the pastoral centre of the St Joseph’s Church.
The celebration included entertainment by the Wembley Troupe, which included a special Mando prepared by Anthony Lopes, cultural dances, poetry recitations by Johnson Fernandes, and solo singing by Snovia Fernandes and Jose Mendes.
There were visitors from the Indian High Commission and Portuguese Consulate, while Councillors of the Council of the Portuguese Communities (CPC) in the UK honoured Fr Patrick’s dedication and kindness. CPC Councillor Joao da Cruz commended Fr Patrick for his dedicated service to the Goan-origin Portuguese community.
APPRECIATION
Clayton Barreto, S. Secretary to the High Commissioner (High Commission of India, UK), who was also present at the event, recalled that over the past decade, Fr Patrick had been a cornerstone of the Goan community in the UK, dedicating himself tirelessly to serve in countless ways.
“His humble and soft-spoken nature, coupled with his unwavering readiness to listen and support, left a lasting impression on all who have known him,” said Clayton.
“Fr Patrick was instrumental in establishing many new Mass centres for the Goan community in Konkani, creating spaces for spiritual nourishment and cultural connections across the UK. He bridged a crucial gap within our community, ensuring that Goans could come together in worship and faith, wherever they were.”
“Whether called upon for Mass services or other priestly duties, Fr Patrick never hesitated to help if he could, even covering his own travel expenses at times to be present for his flock.”
“I had the privilege of witnessing his dedication first-hand, as he often reached out to me for assistance on Indian High Commission-related matters, always striving to go the extra mile to help those in need. His selfless spirit and boundless commitment to serving others are truly remarkable,” Clayton added.
CPC Councillor Ciana D’Costa said Fr Patrick’s humility and unwavering support for those in need have made a lasting impact on the Goan community.
“Many people delivered heartfelt speeches, sharing their gratitude and admiration for him. As we bid farewell, we cherish the memories and wish Fr Patrick all the best in his future endeavours. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire us,” said Ciana.
