LONDON
‘Zuemkars in UK’, a community comprising villagers of St Estevam in Ilhas-Goa, organised the feast of their Patron Saint, St Stephen in London on December 26, 2023.
The villagers of St Estevam and guests from London and other parts of UK attended the celebration.
A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at the St Anslem’s Catholic Church, Southall-London at 1 pm, with Fr Feroz Fernandes, Parish Priest of Osterley Church, London, as the main celebrant for the Mass.
The ‘Zuemkars in UK’ later organized the 4th St Stephen’s social after the Thanksgiving Mass at St John’s Parish Center, Southall-London. The first, second and third editions of the Zuemkars social were held in 2015, 2016 and 2022.
UK’s popular Goan Band ‘Finnese’ and one-man band ‘Aggy D’ (from St Estevam) played for the social.
Simon Varella, a popular MC at Goan social events who hails from St Estevam and is 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.
Besides spot prizes, 20 other prizes were given out for the novelty draw. 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, December 26 is a very important day wherever they may be based. The support from our villagers in UK has always been overwhelming,” said Simon Varella of the coordinating team.
“From last year onwards, the tickets for our social get sold out a few days prior to the event. We thank all our villagers for their generosity and support. This year, the social was not restricted just to the villagers but was open to non-Zuemkar guests as well.”
The coordinating team of ‘Zuemkars in UK’ comprised Simon Varella, Meldon Ferrao, Agnelo Dias, Ervel Dias, Janeckza Afonso, Mary Neclina Varela and Elvona D’Costa.
When contacted, Simon Varella said the 'Zuemkars In UK' is a group of Zuemkars residing in UK.
“This community was formed in May 2020. There are about 100 members who are a part of the St Stephen's community in UK. The aim is to stay connected with the villagers here in the UK and share information about the village, the activities, functions and happenings back home in St Estevam,” said Simon.
“The first social was organised by the villagers of St Estevam in UK in 2015 under the leadership of late Pedrinho Fernandes.”
“'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 the village institutions by way of donations, contributions, etc. as and when the need arises.”
