The Zuemkars (Villagers of St Estevam) along with Fr Feroz Fernandes after the Thanksgiving Mass.
The Zuemkars (Villagers of St Estevam) organised the feast of their patron saint, St Stephen, in London on December 26.
A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hayes-London at 11.30 am. Fr Feroz Fernandes of Goan Chaplaincy in London was the main celebrant for the mass and was joined by Fr Joseph Raju Katthula of the Immaculate Heart Mary Church.
The ‘Zuemkars in UK’ community organised the 3rd edition of the St Stephen’s social after the Thanksgiving Mass at Goa Mandovi, Hounslow Market Place, London. The first and the second editions of the Zuemkars social were held in 2015 and 2016.
The Zuemkars (Villagers of St Estevam) on the dance floor during the social at Goa Mandovi, Hounslow Market Place, London.
The administrative team of ‘Zuemkars in UK’ plan to have the social as an annual event from this year onwards.
UK’s popular Goan Band ‘Waterfront’ and one-man band AGGY D (from St Estevam) played for the social. Simon Varella, a popular MC for Goan social events who also hails from the village and now based in UK, compered the event.
A raffle draw was conducted during the event and over 23 prizes were given out for the raffle draw, besides other spot prizes. The villagers contributed towards the cost and other expenses of the event and also donated various prizes for the raffle draw and other spot prizes.
“For every Zuemkar, December 26 is a very important day wherever they may be based. The support from our villagers has been overwhelming. We thank all our villagers for their generosity. This year the social was mainly restricted to the villagers and was fully sold out one week prior to the event,” says Simon Varella of the administrative team.
Villagers of St Estevam from London and even from places like Swindon, Maidenhead and other parts of UK attended the event.
Fr Feroz Fernandes and Fr Joseph Raju Katthula also attended the social and were felicitated at the function.
The administrative team of ‘Zuemkars in UK’ consisting of Simon Varella, Meldon Ferrao, Agnelo Dias, Janeckza Afonso, Mary Neclina Varela and Elvona D’Costa started planning the event in October this year.
The administrative team of Zuemkars in UK (from L to R) Meldon Ferrao, Agnelo Dias, Janeczka Afonso and Simon Varella.
