SAN FRANCISCO
As Goans across the world are basking in the excitement about the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier in Goa, Goans in the San Francisco Bay Area also commemorate the occasion.
The Goan Institute of San Francisco celebrated the feast of St Francis Xavier on November 30 at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, San Leandro, California and thereafter to a reception at the adjoining hall.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Roy Pereira, S.J., and the altar server was Luis Rodriques.
Fr Roy’s homily was inspiring with a power-point illustration and many had experienced a homily with a power-point illustration for the first time. Fr Roy then went to the piano and sang a hymn.
After Mass, the crowd proceeded to the hall. The crowd was in a jovial mood and wished ‘Happy Feast’ to each other while munching on traditional Chonne with shredded coconut. There were vendors who were selling Goan sweets like Kadio-Bodio, cakes and the usual Goan Kusvar sweets, besides the Goan sausages. Fr Roy autographed some of his inspiring books like ‘Finding Joy’.
It was time for the lunch prepared by the popular caterer ‘Tinto’. Joe Lorenco was at hand, to refill the various mouth-watering dishes. There was pulao, sorpotel, caldin, chicken curry, bhel-puri, buns etc., with the crowd enjoying the fare.
After lunch, there was a lively music by the DJ who got the young and the old on the dance floor and dancing to their heart’s content.
Around 3 pm., tea was served with many desserts, cake pastries, cookies and ice-cream. As people enjoyed the desserts, there was Bingo with very useful prizes. The Committee Members President Yeademin Fernandes, Debbie Alburquerque, Niel D’Souza and Sylvia Deo worked hard to put the event together. The dancing went on till 5 pm and all went home, satisfied with an experience to cherish.
