Goan Chaplain Fr Patrick D'Souza on his bicycle outside the Church of Our Lady of Assumption in Link Road, Tooting.
LONDON
A priest who has served as the Goan Chaplain in the UK for about 10 years has admitted that Goans face different challenges while adapting to culture and lifestyle in the UK.
The Goan Chaplain Fr Patrick D’Souza, a member of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), is set to return to Goa as part of his new mission and he will over responsibilities to Fr Renato Andrade, who has recently arrived in the UK.
As the Goan Chaplain in London, Fr Patrick had been working in the dioceses of Southwark, Westminster and Brentwood, also catering to Goan Catholics in the other parts of the UK.
Speaking to The Goan, Fr Patrick said his experience in the UK has been very enriching while he administered to the spiritual and social needs of Goans in the UK.
CHALLENGES, STRUGGLES
Fr Patrick acknowledged that the Goan community has been facing a challenging time adapting to life in the UK, which has brought in stress and tension among many families.
“Life in the UK is very difficult for any newcomer. It is a struggle, especially adapting to culture and lifestyle in the UK. Many people still struggle with their daily lives,” admitted Fr Patrick.
"Despite the challenging conditions, difficulties within Goan families are common while trying to maintain a decent living standard in the UK. Their faith has been keeping Goan families together, but it is also very difficult to maintain it in the UK.”
“Keeping one’s faith and understanding are very important. This is not only true for those with families, but also for those who work and live along while their families are in the Goa.”
“Young Goan couples also find it stressful, was one has to understand each other. Communication on a regular basis is the key factor,” he added.
Mindful to these challenges, Fr Patrick had initiated coaching sessions for young couples to guide them to remain faithful to each other while building a new home. Many faced the challenges and thanked him for his guidance.
“I visit our Goan families and most of these visits are for counselling. Most of our Goan families are doing well – financially. But sometimes, it is at the cost of strained relationship between the spouses and between parents and children. And this has been the biggest challenge for the chaplains in the UK.”
Alongside this, I would say that we also try our best to animate our youth to adhere to our faith and morals. Quiet often, we are not able to do enough to achieve the desired goal. The Goan Chaplain in Swindon, Fr Lucas, along with Fr Francis and Fr Mark have done considerable progress in this regard.
Fr Patrick has often advised Goans to seek professional advice on various issues, but admitted that many have been reluctant to do so.
“The other issue I have found out in certain areas is getting associations to work together as one team. Despite selecting a leader and committee, many disagree with each other and eventually split after having disputes. I believe that the groups and associations formed should agree with their selected leader and committee and move forward,” said Fr Patrick.
SATISFACTION, HAPPINESS
Fr Patrick said it has been a great joy to meet hundreds of Goans every month.
“I have met many who live in these places for years and also those who are new to the country. After Mass, we would usually meet outside the church or in some places we would meet in the church hall for cup of tea/coffee and Bingo (Housie). It is at this time people would share the stories of their life,” said Fr Patrick.
The elderly would express their joy on being able to participate in Mass in Konkani, their ‘Mai Bhas’. Some of them would also have their stories about feeling lonely and neglected. They would also share their unhappiness seeing their children and grandchildren not living the values our ancestors taught us.”
Fr Patrick said middle-aged people would be happy to share their success stories in their profession and their life.
“Some of them would share their worries about the upbringing of their children. Some would share their relationship issues and marriage problems. Amid all this, all of us Goans should be proud of our community to see that so many Goans are active in the life of the Church. The Goan community does bring life and joy to the Catholic Church in the UK,” said Fr Patrick.
SCOPE FOR GOAN PRIESTS, NUNS
Fr Patrick said Goan priests have a big responsibility to take care of Goans in the UK.
“Ongoing care of the family is of utmost importance. Guidance to young couples is necessary. Many couples in their middle age also require this. The youth ministry needs to be looked into, to guide our young people in Christian and moral values. As Goa is known for vocations to priesthood and religious life, we need to activate this divine call in the hearts of our youngsters in the UK,” said Fr Patrick.
Fr Renato Andrade, the new Goan Chaplain, recently arrived in the UK, after having worked in Arunachal Pradesh in the North East frontier of India for the last five years. He had previously served in Ranchi-Jharkhand.
Fr Renato hails from Colomord in Navelim-Goa and was ordained in 2014.
“This move from the interiors of an Indian state to the UK is God’s mission for me. The Goan community in the UK are strong followers of the faith, hence it is my keen desire and goals would be to promote God’s mission, Eucharist and to keep the families together,” said Fr Renato, as he was adapting to his new environment in the UK.
Fr Renato said his journey in the Society of Pilar began as a seminarian in 2000 and as a missionary priest from 2014.
“The Founder of Pilar Society Fr Bento Martins and Venerable Angelo de Souza became great models for me. God determined my steps, paths and mission according to His will.”
“By getting different experiences in the missions like Jharkhand, Goa, Kolkata (reminding me of St Teresa of Kolkata) and in the interior mission jungle hills of Arunachal Pradesh, where poverty is unimaginable but survival is great by seeing the faith of people, one learns to grow more in faith by surrendering every breath in the hands of God,” said Fr Renato.
“So, I firmly believe that God has a purpose to continue my missionary journey in the UK Mission as a Chaplin for Goan Chaplaincy and others,” Fr Renato added.
