The Mungul Union (UK) celebrated its 47th anniversary of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in London on March 2.
LONDON
They may have migrated to the UK for better prospects, but Goans hailing from Mungul-Margao have not forgotten their roots and have reached out to those in need and have supported various causes and events back home.
The Mungul Union (UK) celebrated its 47th anniversary of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Mulberry Academy, Wood Green, London, on March 2. This celebration in London coincided with celebrations in Mungul-Margao for decades, following nine days of Novena prayers and devotions.
A Mass was celebrated, and it was followed by a get-together with music presented by the ‘The Simply amazing Trio Band’ and a DJ. Luisa’s Catering provided the meals at the event. The Mungul Union’s young President Evelyn D'Silva took the opportunity to convey her gratitude to her committee, all members, guests and loyal supporters who have helped make their events a huge success. 
HISTORY
Incidentally, Mungul was one of the first Goan groups to form an association in the UK.
“In December 1977, a group of friends met up at a colleague’s wedding for the first time since they emigrated from Kenya, East Africa in the sixties,” said Rosy D’Silva, senior committee member of Mungul Union UK.
“After exchange of jollity and much banter, they realised a common goal to bring together their fellow villagers living in different parts of the UK, to enjoy the Goan culture of music and their passion for dancing and simultaneously raise funds for their needy and underprivileged fellow villagers in Mungul, Goa.”
These friends, Xavier Fernandes, Eusebio D’Silva, brothers Tony and Dominic D’Silva, and John Mascarenhas, subsequently became founder members of the Association.
“Eusebio D’Silva, who passed away a few months ago, served as the first president of the Union and enjoyed the privilege of the post for 10 years. The newly formed group celebrated its first event – the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – in February 1978,” said Rosy.
OUTREACH
Since its inception, the Mungul Union has helped disadvantaged families with monetary donations, assistance with school and tuition fees for young children, scholarship for best performing students, payment of medical bills and other requests for assistance for the villagers of Mungul, via the Chapel Committee in Mungul.
The Mungul Union (UK) was involved in partially financing a Prayer Room, Priest's Residence and Community Hall of the Mount Carmel Chapel in Mungul-Margao.
“The Union also makes annual monetary donations to up to 15 needy individuals/families every Christmas,” said Rosy.
“Over the years, Mungul UK has supported football tournaments, providing medals and trophies to all participants and winners respectively and financing the annual Sports day in Goa.”
“It has supported two seminarians through their pastoral studies and has also organised a Christmas Tree party for young Mungul children of all faiths, with music, carol singing, games and Christmas presents.”
The Mungul Union UK was also involved in partially financing a major project of the Mount Carmel Chapel in Mungul: a Prayer Room, Priest's Residence and Community Hall.
This major project, which took years of hard work and determination, was aided by contributions from people in Mungul, as well as those villagers settled all over the world, including the UK, USA, Canada, Kenya and Australia.
This project, which comprises a fully furnished Pastoral Residence for the resident priest and up to two visiting priests, and a Community Hall for 200 people, was inaugurated by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on April 9, 2012, in the presence of then Margao parish priest Fr Avinash Rebello, the Chaplain Fr Caitano Cardozo and many priests, including those that had strong ties with the village.
“To this day, the villagers and guests utilise the community hall to celebrate weddings, christenings, first Holy Communions, various parties and meetings,” said Rosy.
