Goan associations and communities across the world have planned events to commemorate the Feast of St Francis Xavier. The Global Goenkar presents a list of various religious and social events being organised to mark this celebration
ABERDEEN
WHAT: St Francis Xavier Feast Mass, followed by a social gathering
WHERE: St Mary's Cathedral, Huntly Street, Aberdeen-Scotland
WHEN: December 3, 5 pm
WHAT: The social gathering at the St Mary's Cathedral Church Hall will include music, Goan snacks, juices, soon after the service
WHO: Hosted by The Goan Community Aberdeen
ADELAIDE
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani, followed by a fellowship
WHERE: Sacred Heart Catholic Church 252 Port Rd, Hindmarsh SA 5007
WHEN: December 4, 5.30 pm
WHAT: Event will include fellowship with refreshments, Goan food and music at the church hall
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community in Adelaide
ARUSHA
EVENT: St Francis Xavier's Feast Mass, followed by get-together
WHERE: Arusha Institute, Tanzania
WHEN: December 3, 7 pm
WHAT: Event will include dinner and music
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community in Arusha
BANGALORE
EVENT: Feast Mass, followed by fellowship
WHERE: St Joseph's Boys' High School Chapel, Bangalore
WHEN: December 3, 5 pm
WHAT: Fellowship and authentic Goan dinner at SJBHS hall.
WHO: Hosted by the Karnataka Goan Association
CALIFORNIA
EVENT: Mass in Konkani by Fr Bernard John D’Sa, followed by a procession, litany and a Small Feast Fair
WHERE: St Athanasius Catholic Parish, Mountain View, California, USA
WHEN: December 5, 5.30 pm
WHAT: Small Feast Fair with feast favourites like Kadyo Bodyo, Ladoos, Jaleebi, Roasted Chana, Choris Pão, followed by a dinner with Sorpotel, Xaccuti and other Goan dishes. Food is pot luck style, so different people are chipping in to bring the Goan flavours to the event
WHO: Hosted by CalifornianGoans, the team behind Mass Preparations are Sharon/Graciano Esteves, Franky/Maria Monteiro, Maria Rodrigues and Choir by Nadia Rebello and team
CALIFORNIA
EVENT: St Francis Xavier Feast get-together
WHERE: Shahi Mahal Restaurant and Banquet Hall, 12225, Centralia Street, Lakewood California 90715
WHEN: December 3, 11 am
WHAT: Buffet Lunch with authentic Goan cuisine by Lordwin D'Souza (Mandovi), Games and prizes, Recognition of senior members of Goan community in Southern California
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community in Southern California
DAR ES SALAAM
EVENT: St Francis Xavier's Feast Mass and 130th anniversary of Goan community in Tanzania, followed by get-together
WHERE: Immaculate Conception Church, Upanga-Tanzania
WHEN: December 3, 6 pm
WHAT: Event will include get-together, floor shows, food and snacks, music
WHO: Hosted by the St Xavier's Society in collaboration with the Dar es Salaam Institute
KARACHI
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani and English to be celebrated by Archbishop Benny Travas and Cardinal Joseph Coutts
WHERE: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi
WHEN: December 3, 6 pm
WHAT: Event will include snacks for the congregation and dinner for the clergy, nuns, choir, Goinkars group and some guests
WHO: Hosted by the Goinkars Own Academy
LONDON
EVENT: Feast Mass of St Francis Xavier celebrated by Fr Sabu Paul Pariyadan and Blessing of the Sick, followed by get-together
WHERE: Woodside High School, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, London N22 5QJ
WHEN: December 4, 12 noon
WHAT: Get-together will include music by 'Rainbows End', DJ Carlos, prizes, catering by Maggie's Kitchen, Raffle, Diva Dance competition
WHO: Hosted by North London Goans and NANJGEL
LONDON
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani, followed by get-together
WHERE: St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Wembley
WHEN: December 4, 4 pm
WHAT: Get-together will be held in the church hall
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Chaplaincy UK
LONDON
EVENT: St Francis Xavier's dine and dance
WHERE: Mandhata House, 20A Rosemead Avenue, Wembley HA9 7EE
WHEN: December 3, 7 pm to 10.30 pm
WHAT: Event will include Two Men Band 'Melodians' Polly with Alvito, food and snacks, housie
WHO: Hosted by Joyce
LONDON
EVENT: Feast Mass, followed by fellowship
WHERE: St Paul’s Church, Bentham Road, London SE28 8AS
WHEN: December 3, 7.30 pm
WHAT: The event will include socialising and a meal
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community at St Paul’s Parish
LONDON
EVENT: 6th Annual Dine and Dance 'Bom Fest'
WHERE: Monsoon Banqueting 100 the Green Southall UB2 4BG London
WHEN: December 3, 7 pm to 12 am
WHAT: Live music by 'Band Finesse', DJ Flacid and DJ Ashley, 3-course dinner buffet
WHO: Hosted by United Friends London
MANAMA
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani, followed by a cultural programme
WHERE: Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bahrain
WHEN: December 2, 10.30 am
WHAT: Event will include a cultural programme
WHO: Hosted by Konkani Community of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bahrain
MELBOURNE
EVENT: Feast Mass, followed by get-together
WHERE: St Mary's Catholic Church, 160 Foster St, Dandenong VIC 3175
WHEN: December 3, Mass at 3.30 pm
WHAT: Get-together will be conducted at St Mary's Primary School Hall, 22-24 New Street, Dandenong VIC 3175 from 4.30 pm. Event will include a buffet dinner
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Victoria
MOMBASA
EVENT: Feast Mass, followed by social gathering
WHERE: The Goan Institute, Mombasa
WHEN: December 3, 6 pm
WHAT: Social gathering will include in-house entertainment by DJ Agnelo and Goan food
WHO: Hosted by The Goan Community, Mombasa
MUMBAI
EVENT: 13th Annual Thanksgiving Mass
WHERE: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Borivli (W), Mumbai
WHEN: December 3, 4.30 pm
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Cultural Association
MUMBAI
EVENT: St Francis Xavier Feast Mass, followed by 51st anniversary celebration
WHERE: Our Lady of Health Church, Sahar, Andheri (East)
WHEN: December 3, 5.30 pm
WHAT: Event at the Church Auditorium from 7.30 pm onwards will include Spot prizes, Singing Sensation Kenny, two special surprise guest performers, lucky dip
WHO: Hosted by the Sahar Goan Association
MUMBAI
EVENT: St Francis Xavier's Feast Mass, followed by Members Family Nite
WHERE: Fatima Church, Vidyavihar, Central Railway line, Mumbai Suburbs
WHEN: December 4, 5 pm
WHAT: Event will include skits and games, spot prizes, lucky draw, DJ, dance, exotic stalls, complimentary dinner
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Outreach Association
NEW YORK
EVENT: Mass, followed by get-together
WHERE: St Luke’s Church, Whitestone, New York
WHEN: December 4, 11 am
WHAT: Get-together will be held in the church hall. Music by DJ Evette, Portuguese, Indian, and Asian Fusion cuisine. Santa Claus to stop by for the kids
WHO: Hosted by Goan Association of New York
PARIS
EVENT: Feast Mass of St Francis Xavier
WHERE: Mary Immaculate Chapel, Paris
WHEN: December 3, 12.30 noon
WHAT: Event will include get-together at 58 Rue St Didier 75016 Paris
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community in Paris
QUEBEC
EVENT: Mass concelebrated by 2 priests and a lively choir ‘The Melodic Stars’ performing hymns in Konkani and English, followed by a social gathering, dinner and dancing and plenty of raffle prizes. Feast is sponsored by the QGA Committee
WHERE: Jesus Light of the World Parish (Mary Queen of Peace Parish) 11075 Boul. Gouin O, Pierrefonds, Qc, H8Y 1X6
WHEN: December 3, 6.30 pm
WHAT: Music by DJ Amber Da Costa, food catered by Mama’s Kitchen serving Goan food to the community, cultural show presentation with Goan dance fusion, piano recital of Portuguese song and a Konkani song
WHO: Hosted by the Quebec Goan Association
SHARJAH
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani to be concelebrated by Fr Raul Fernandes, a priest from Goa, and 4-5 other priests, followed with serving of home-cooked Goan food
WHERE: St Michael Church, Sharjah
WHEN: Novena were celebrated from November 24 to December 2 after the 7 pm Mass. The Festal Mass in Konkani will be celebrated on December 3 at 10 am
WHAT: Over 1,200 Konkani-speaking parishioners are expected to participate in the Feast Mass. A Goan Brass Band will play before and after Mass. Traditional Goan food (Pulao, Sorpotel, Green Chicken, Sannas with Plum Cakes and Juices) will be served. The food is cooked by Goans residing in and around Sharjah and this practice is followed every year
WHO: Hosted by the Sharjah Goan Committee and supported by all Goans of St Michael’s Parish
TORONTO
EVENT: Mass to celebrate Feast of St Francis Xavier
WHERE: St Francis Xavier Parish, 5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ON L5V 2X5
WHEN: December 3, 12 noon
WHAT: Event will include Feast Fair with Vendor Bazaar at 2 pm at Goan Community Centre, 20 Strathearn Ave, Unit 5, Brampton, ON L6T 4P1
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Toronto
VANCOUVER
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani to be celebrated by Fr Wilfred Gomes, followed by get-together
WHERE: St Nicholas Catholic Church, 20675, 87th Avenue, Langley, BC, V1M3X4
WHEN: December 3, 12 noon
WHAT: Get-together will be held at the Parish Centre
WHO: Hosted by the Goan community of Vancouver
VANCOUVER
EVENT: Feast Mass in Konkani
WHERE: Immaculate Conception Church, 8840-119 Street, Delta, BC V4C 6M4
WHEN: December 4, 2 pm
WHAT: Get-together in the Church with tea/coffee and snacks
WHO: Hosted by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Vancouver
