LONDON
The Goan community in Southampton organised the first-ever full-fledged Konkani Holy Mass at the St Boniface Roman Catholic Parish Church in Shirley, Southampton, on August 8.
Permission for the Konkani Mass was granted readily by the Parish Priest Father Tom Kleinschmidt during a Parish Pastoral Council meeting wherein a proposal for a Konkani Mass was submitted by Goan members of the Council Libra Shaida D’Costa (Sarzora) and RJ Roque Vaz (Fatorda). The parish priest has approved a Konkani Mass to be held four times a year.
THE KONKANI MASS
The main celebrant at the Konkani Mass was Fr Renato Andrade and the concelebrant was the Assistant Parish Priest Father Paul Ubebe who hails from Nigeria. Confessions in Konkani too were organised prior to the Mass.
The Konkani choir ‘Abolim’ comprised the choirmaster John Fernandes (Guitar, Benaulim), his sons Shawn (Keyboards) and Shane (Guitar), along with Larissa Fernandes (Violin, Porvorim) and Logan Bernardo Pinheiro (Bass Guitar, Taleigao). The choir was conducted by RJ Roque Vaz. Videography of the main stages of the Mass was done by Allan D’Costa (Curtorim).
The Offertory during the Mass was based on the Goan Harvest Festival (Lunvnnechi Porob) and the Feast of Our Lady of Assumption.
Goan youth Brayden Whyte welcomed the Goan congregation in Konkani. He also was incharge of the nine altar servers. John Fernandes did the First Reading, followed by Assumpta Maria Borges, who did the Second Reading. The Bidding Prayers were recited by Rufus Fernandes. Aliana D’Costa read a Thanksgiving Note in Konkani and the Vote of Thanks was done by RJ Roque Vaz.
The floral arrangement in the church was managed and arranged by RJ Bihula Vaz and Guada Dagongdong from the Filipino Community. A special Konkani hymn booklet was created by RJ Roque Vaz and released during the choir rehearsals. The Parish Secretary Margaretta Livingstone gave all her support towards the historic event.
GOAN COMMUNITY DAY 2026
After the culmination of the Mass, a free second Goan Community Day 2026 was organised in the church hall. RJ Roque Vaz conceptualised and compered the ‘Goa Day 2026’ event which was well-attended by Goans from various parts of the UK.
The music was by Logan, a former bass guitarist of the Goan band ‘Brothers-in-Arms’ and John Fernandes provided sound services. The star child Konkani solo singer Cataleya Dias regaled the audience with Konkani and English songs. She came along with her parents Venecia Godinho and Jack Dias, who travelled from Slough. Cataleya was presented a memento by Sebastian D'Costa. Savio Pires and John Fernandes sang some entertaining songs too. The Nigerian community members were present at the social event.
The volunteers were Sebastian D'Costa, Ramona Salins, Allan D'Costa, Maria Assumpta, RJ Bihula Vaz and RJ Roque Vaz, Ralston D'Costa, Clinton Silveira, Dr Tracy Coelho, Sanjay and Vally D'Costa, Alancy D'Costa, Analita D'Costa, Analiese D'Costa, and Steffi Desouza, while Hemal Solanki was a special volunteer from the Diu community. The main celebratory cake was sponsored by Sheryl Dias and Cedric Dias.
Many Goans and their friends homecooked different Goan and International food items, sponsored refreshments and cash.
A Charity Bingo was organised and managed by Ralston D’Costa and supported by brother-sister duo of Cavanaugh and Chantelle Fernandes (Slough). Aloma D’Souza from Mangalore was the guest contest judge. Francis and Marilyn D’Costa won a special couple’s spot prize.
The main Bingo prize of a 6-litre Air Fryer was won by Nathalia Sequeira and the Jaldi-5 prize, a food processor, was won by Rufus Fernandes. The best dancing couple prize was bagged by Rufus and Larissa Fernandes, judged by Rome De Cruz (Windsor). A total of £1000.34 was raised via generous cash donations, collection during church service and Bingo sales for the St Boniface Parish Roof Tile Repairs Appeal 2026.
Konkani radio show marks World Goa Day
RJ Roque Vaz and creative director and co-presenter RJ Bihula Vaz hosted the 261st episode of the radio show ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ on August 22 with a special show live from Awaaz 99.8 FM Community Radio Station in Southampton to mark World Goa Day.Titled ‘Amcho Des Amcho Bhes’, the two-hour radio show celebrated Goan culture, Konkani language, poetry, Konkani songs, cuisine and community spirit in UK and around the globe.
“‘World Goa Day’ is celebrated annually on August 20 to unite the global Goan diaspora, to preserve the cultural heritage and promote their mother tongue, Konkani. The event was founded in 2000 by Rene Barreto, a UK-based Goan community organiser, who envisioned a common platform to bond Goans across different continents,” said RJ Roque Vaz.
“Rene Barreto conceptualised the idea through the World Alliance of Goan Associations to bring together independent Goan pockets worldwide.”
“Barreto's efforts transformed a simple idea into an internationally recognised brand celebrated across the US (California), UK (Swindon, Hounslow, London, Scotland, Wembley, Reading, Southampton), Europe (Ireland, Portugal), Canada, Australia, Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Uganda), the Middle East (Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), and Pakistan.”
