CALGARY
Goan children in Calgary played an active role in Goa’s culinary and spiritual traditions, as they prepared Goan sweets and acted in a play on St Francis Xavier at Calgary.
On November 30, the children, aged between 8 and 14 years, took part in a Goan sweet-making workshop at the Demo Kitchen in Westman Village. Several senior members of the Goan Association Calgary (GAC) shared their expertise, teaching the kids valuable techniques. Each child was joined by a parent who acted as their assistant.
The children were introduced to the tradition of preparing Christmas sweets and they learned how to make two Goan classics: Kul Kuls and shortbread cookies.
The Feast of St Francis Xavier was celebrated by the Goan Association Calgary on December 7. As part of GAC’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the children began Mass with a rendition of ‘He’s got the whole world in His Hands’. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr Alex Braganza, Fr Rocque Pereira, and Fr Avi Colaco, with all hymns sung in Konkani.
Following Mass, guests gathered in the Church Hall for festivities. Dinner was catered by Ayo Paixao, and the desserts included Christmas sweets prepared by the children and the Goan Batica (Batk) made by one of GAC’s senior members. DJ Joel provided lively music for both dancing and listening pleasure.
The highlight of the evening was the children performing an original play about the life of St Francis Xavier, a first for the Goan community in Calgary.
Later, the children led the carol singing with a selection of festive songs and then everyone present joined in the carol singing. The celebration concluded with a game of Bingo.
