LONDON
The ‘Zuemkars in UK’ (villagers of St Estevam) commemorated the Feast of St Stephen, patron saint of St Estevam, by organising their 5th Annual St Stephen’s Feast and Social in London on October 26.
The villagers of St Estevam and guests from London and other parts of UK like Liverpool, Oxford, Sunningdale, Croydon, Slough, Milton Keynes, as well as Portugal attended the event.
The feast and social was held early this year instead of celebrating on the original date which is December 26 in view of the Exposition of St Francis Xavier as many of the villagers would be travelling to Goa in December.
A Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hayes-London at 12 noon. Fr Chris Newman, Parish Priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, was the main celebrant, while Fr Renato Andrade, Chaplain of Goan Chaplaincy UK and Fr John O’Byrne, were the co-celebrants. Fr Renato preached the homily at the Mass.
After the Mass, the ‘Zuemkars in UK’ community took part in the 5th St Stephen’s social at Botwell Venues, Hayes, London. The first, second, third and fourth editions of the social were held in 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023 respectively.
UK’s popular Goan band ‘Rhythm Mates’ and one-man band AGGY D (from St Estevam) played for the social.
Fr Renato opened the social with a short prayer and the villagers sang the Hymn of St Stephen. The community felicitated Fr Renato during the function, as he has recently taken over as Chaplain of the Goan Chaplaincy in UK.
Simon Varella, a popular MC at social events, who also hails from the village, and now based in UK compered the event.
A buffet spread with Goan delicacies was catered by Freddy Wilfred of Mum’s Delight Caterers for the function.
A novelty draw was held at the event and 20 prizes were given out for the novelty draw besides other spot prizes. The villagers contributed towards the cost and other expenses of the event and also donated various prizes for the novelty draw and other spot prizes.
“For every Zuemkar, the patron feast is very important wherever they may be based, and the villagers come together as one community to celebrate the feast of their patron,” said Simon Varella, one of the organisers in the managing team.
“The support from our villagers in UK has always been overwhelming. We thank all our villagers for their generosity and support. The feast gives an opportunity for Zuemkars to meet up with their fellow villagers.”
The managing team of ‘Zuemkars in UK’ comprising Meldon Ferrao, Agnelo Dias, Simon Varella, Ervel Dias, Neclina Varela, Janeckza Afonso and Elvona D’Costa had planned the event from a couple of months.
Formed in May 2000, the ‘Zuemkars In UK’ is basically a group of Zuemkars residing in UK. There are about 100 members who are a part of the St Stephen's community in the UK.
The aim is to stay connected with villagers in the UK and share information about the village, the activities, functions and happenings back home in St Estevam.
The ‘Zuemkars in UK’ normally meet twice, once for a summer get together in August and once on December 26 to celebrate our Patron feast. The villagers support institutions in the village of St Estevam as and when the need arises. The first social was organised by the villagers of St. Estevam in UK in 2015 under the leadership of late Pedrinho Fernandes.
