While millions of devotees are expected to venerate the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier during the ongoing 18th Exposition at Old Goa, Goan associations and communities across the world have either conducted or have planned events to commemorate the Feast of St Francis Xavier. THE GLOBAL GOENKAR presents details of various religious and social events organised to celebrate the ‘Goencho Saib’
ABERDEEN (UK)
The United Goans of Aberdeen in Scotland hosted a memorable Feast Nite on November 29 at the Hilton Community Centre to celebrate the Feast. The event featured a lively lineup of activities, including games, housie (bingo), and a delicious dinner that brought the community together.
Jean D'Souza served as the charismatic MC, setting an enthusiastic tone for the evening, while DJ Ethax kept the crowd energized with fantastic music. The celebration was a blend of tradition, fun, and community spirit, leaving attendees with cherished memories of the occasion.
ADELAIDE (AUSTRALIA)
The Konkani Community of Adelaide which comprises both Goans and Mangaloreans, will celebrate the Feast on November 30. The highlight of the celebration will be the Mass in Konkani by the Konkani Community chaplain Fr Santhosh Nazareth CSC and Fr Lancy D’Silva, CSC, Dean of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral and Administrator of the Adelaide Cathedral parish at the Sacred Heart Church, Hindmarsh.
This being the Exposition year, the fervour that is present in Goa, is shared by the faithful in Adelaide too. The Exposition 2024 theme “Xubvortomanache Porgottnnar Ami” will be maintained at the celebrations. After the Mass, a festive supper of typical Goan fare along with a variety entertainment program will also add to the celebrations. The event is coordinated by Blaise Fernandes who also leads the Konkani choir.
The feast will also be celebrated at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on December 3, with a dinner organised by Agnello Fernandes.
ARUSHA (TANZANIA)
The Goans of Arusha (G.O.A) will celebrate the Feast on December 3. Novenas started on November 25 at the Arusha Institute (formerly the Goan Association) and will continue up to the December 3. A Mass will be celebrated at 7.30 pm, followed by dinner.
AUCKLAND (NEW ZEALAND)
The Goan Overseas Association of New Zealand (GOANZ) will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at St Therese Parish, Three Kings, Auckland, on December 7 at 6.30 pm.
After Mass, there will be a lively social gathering in the parish hall, which includes Goan cuisine, fun games, dancing and music. This annual celebration honours St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa, and promises to bring the community together in prayer, joy, and cultural festivity.
CALIFORNIA (USA)
The Goan Institute of the San Francisco Bay Area traditionally organises an event to commemorate the Feast. This year, a group of 160 community members will gather together to celebrate this feast at Our Lady of Good Counsel in San Leandro, California on November 30. Fr Roy Pereira S.J. from Los Angeles will be the main celebrant for the 11 am Holy Mass.
Buffet Lunch will be at the reception hall featuring Sorpotel and other Goan delicacies. A packed event includes Goan Vendor Booths, Santa Party, Carol Singing, Music for Dancing, Tombola and Tea Time, informed The Goan Institute President Yeademin Fernandes.
CALIFORNIA (USA)
The CalifornianGoans will celebrate the Feast at St Athanasius Catholic Church, 160 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043 on December 2.
The celebration will begin with a Feast Mass in Konkani, celebrated by Fr Bernard John D’Sa, accompanied by a Konkani choir. In keeping with tradition, attendees will be greeted with flower pins to adorn their outfits, symbolising the festive spirit of the occasion.
Following the Mass, a procession will take place, led by the Irmaos (Brothers) and Confraria (Confraternity), from the church to the hall. The procession will conclude with a Litany and hymns, paying homage to St Francis Xavier.
In true Goan tradition, the celebration will continue with a Goan-style fair, featuring treats such as Chana, Ladoos, Kadyo Bodyo, and Chouriço Pão (Goan sausage bread).
This will be followed by a Goan-style dinner, bringing the flavours of Goa to the Goan community in California.
“Though we may not be in Goa for the grand Exposition of our beloved Saint, this celebration aims to recreate that experience for our Goan community in California,” said Joseph Lourenco.
KARACHI (PAKISTAN)
The Feast will be celebrated by Goinkars Own Academy with traditional enthusiasm and fervour on December 3 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Karachi, Pakistan.
A solemn Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop of Karachi Benny Travas in English and Konkani with concelebrants Fr Benjamin Shahzad, Fr Mario Rodrigues and Fr Aamir Bhatti.
The G.O.A members shall take part in the rosary, readings, singing, prayers of the faithful and offertory procession. At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, the faithful will partake in the refreshments. A dinner will be hosted by the GOA Committee for Archbishop Travas, the co-celebrants, Nuns, some benefactors and the choir.
KILCOOLE (IRELAND)
The Irish Goa Community will celebrate the Feast at St Anthony's Church, Kilcoole, with a Feast Mass to be celebrated by Fr Natalino Peter Raj on December 2 at 6 pm.
Tea and coffee will be served after Mass.
LONDON (UK)
The Feast will be celebrated on December 4, 2024 at 6 pm in the St Vincent de Paul Church, 2 Witham Road, Osterley-London TW7 4AJ.
The Feast Mass in Konkani will be concelebrated by Parish Priest Fr Feroz Fernandes, SFX, Fr Lucas Rodrigues, SFX, Fr Francis Colaco, SFX, Fr Mark Furtado, SFX, Fr Stephen Dias, SFX, Fr Jerry Fernandes, SFX, Fr Renato Andrade, SFX and guest priests. The homily will be delivered by Fr Lucas Rodrigues, SFX.
LONDON (UK)
The United Friends Heathrow-UK will celebrate the Feast on December 3 at 2 pm with a Mass in the St George Chapel, Heathrow Airport-UK. Fr Jude Kurumeh will be the main celebrant.
LONDON (UK)
The Goan Association (GOA) UK in collaboration with Greenford Goans will celebrate the Feast at the Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, 358 Greenford Road Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9AN on December 1 with a Mass at 4 pm celebrated by Fr Stephen Dias, SFX, followed by dinner and dance in the Parish Centre.
Traditional Goan food will be catered by Johnny Johnny, while musical entertainment will be provided by Chico - One Man Band. There will be a raffle and spot prizes.
MANAMA (BAHRAIN)
The Young Goans Club (YGC) in Bahrain commemorated the Feast with their Annual Day Ball on November 28, at the Olive Hotel in Juffair.
The event featured live performances by the band '3 Notes' and music by SNS DJs. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including a lucky draw for the first 50 entrants, a 'Best Star' contest, and a Christmas celebration for children.
The YGC, established in 1953, is one of the oldest expatriate clubs in Bahrain. It organises various traditional Goan festivals and events, fostering and maintaining Goan identity and heritage within the community.
MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA)
The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria (G.O.A.V) will celebrate the Feast on December 1.
A Mass will be celebrated at the St Anthony’s Parish Hall, 164-168 Neerim Rd, Caulfield East, VIC 3145 at 10.30 am, followed by a brass band and procession at 11.30 am.
A social gathering, which will take place from 12 noon, will include live music by ‘3mendous3’ featuring Josefato Vales. A buffet lunch will include Goan delicacies like Pulao, Xacuti, Pork, Ambot-tik, Chickpea, Salad, Vonn, and Mango Kulfi, catered by Dorellis.
In addition, Goan Christmas Sweets will be available for purchase.
A Goan Santa will provide special gifts for children born on or after December 3, 2012, accompanied by carol singing.
“This promises to be a beautiful gathering to celebrate our faith, culture, and community spirit. We look forward to sharing this joyous occasion with the Goan community,” stated Pearl Rodrigues, Hon. General Secretary of GOAV.
MOMBASA (KENYA)
The Goan Community Mombasa will celebrate the Feast at the Goan Institute Mombasa Front Lawns on December 3rd 2024 with a Holy Mass at 6.45 pm, which will be followed with a traditional dinner and music.
MUMBAI (INDIA)
The Goan Cultural Association at Borivli-Mumbai will celebrate the 15th Annual Thanksgiving Mass in honour of St Francis Xavier at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Borivli (West), Mumbai, on December 3 at 5 pm.
MUMBAI (INDIA)
The St Francis Xavier Church in Dabul-Mumbai will celebrate the Feast on December 1 and 3.
Novena to the Saint began on November 22. On December 1, the Feast Mass will be celebrated by Fr Francis Swamy SJ, while Fr Pravin D'Souza and Fr Jervis D'Souza will celebrate Masses on December 3. Other Masses will also be celebrated on both days.
Meanwhile, the St Francis Xavier Church also conducted social events at the St Sebastian School Hall on the occasion. A Housie was conducted on November 28, followed by a Karaoke and DJ Nite on November 29 and a Community Nite will be hosted on November 30. There were also games, food stalls, spot prizes, music and a lucky raffle draw.
NAIROBI (KENYA)
The Friends of St Francis Xavier will celebrate the Feast at the St Francis Xavier's Catholic Church – Parklands on December 3. Lighting of Memorial Candles will take place from 10.30 am to 10.50 am, followed by Holy Mass at 11 am. Later, a get-together will be held at the Goan Gymkhana, Ngara.
NEW YORK (USA)
The Goan Association of New York will celebrate the Feast at St Luke’s Church Hall in Whitestone, New York, on December 8. The celebration will start with Holy Mass, followed by a celebration at the Church Hall.
The donation of unwrapped gifts and the raffle baskets would help the Association’s different charities in New York, Goa and Mumbai. The Goan community will be treated to a sumptuous lunch of Goan, Indian and Portuguese dishes and foot stomping music by DJ Evette as well as the much anticipated arrival of Santa with gifts for the kids.
PENNSYLVANIA (USA)
The St Francis Xavier Novena Group of Pennsylvania-USA will celebrate the Feast on December 1, at the St Thomas Aquinas Church in Croydon, PA.
The celebration starts with the Rosary, and will be followed by the solemn Feast Mass celebrated by Bishop Keith Chylinski and Fr David Fernandes. The Mass will be in English with hymns in both Konkani and English. The Mass will be followed by the Novena prayer which ends with the Konkani hymn ‘Sam Francisku Xaviera’.
After Mass, the celebration continues with luncheon. The menu includes a feast of Goan and Indian delicacies including Pork Vindalho and Sannas. The crowd will be kept on their toes dancing to live music by Socrates Viegas of Castle Rocks. The entertainment also includes Christmas carol sing-along, games with many prizes. All proceeds will go towards funding charities in Goa, India and the US.
This year, the SFX Novena Group of PA is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The mission is to enhance its Catholic faith by helping those less fortunate.
SOUTHAMPTON (UK)
The Golden Goa Association Southampton-UK will organise its 14th Feast of St Francis Xavier 2024 on November 30 at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hall, Redbridge Hill, 4PL from 3 pm to 11 pm.
Music will be provided by UK’s top Goan band ‘Treble Makers’ and DJ Richiee, while the compere will be RJ Roque Vaz.
SWINDON (UK)
The Goan Chaplaincy Swindon-UK will organise a St Francis Xavier drawing/painting competition at the Holy Rood Catholic Church, Swindon on December 20.
Contestants can draw/paint a picture of St Francis Xavier or anything associated with the saint. Submissions are to be made at Holy Rood Presbytery on December 20 between 4 pm and 5 pm.
TORONTO (CANADA)
The Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) of Toronto will celebrate the Feast with solemnity, tradition, and the rich Goan culture.
Honouring St Francis Xavier, revered by Goans as their ‘Goencho Saib’, is a cherished tradition within the G.O.A. This year, the Mass will be celebrated on December 1 at Guardian Angels Church in Brampton at 2 pm, with the statue of St Francis Xavier carried to the main altar. The readings and hymns will be conducted in both Konkani and English.
Following the Mass, the GOA Toronto will host a grand celebration at the Goan Community Centre. All attendees will be warmly welcomed by members of the Executive Committee and treated to grams, cake, and tea. The centre will be transformed into a representation of Goa, adorned with images of the church and a fair where Goan vendors will sell Goan Christmas sweets, food, and snacks.
“The finest entertainment and music will also be provided to mark the occasion,” said Selwyn Collaco, president of G.O.A Toronto.
VANCOUVER (CANADA)
The Goan Overseas Association (GOA) at Vancouver will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, 8840-119 Street, Delta, BC, on November 30 at 12 noon.
The Mass, to be celebrated by Fr Victor Fernandes OCD, will be in Konkani to enhance the cultural and spiritual experience. To ensure everyone can follow along, English scripts will be provided in the booklets that will be distributed. After Mass, there will be tea/coffee and snacks at the gathering space in the Church.
