LONDON
The Feast of Mae de Deus Church, Saligao-Goa, was celebrated in Reading, UK, on May 3 for the second consecutive year, bringing together the Goan community in a heartfelt tribute to their faith, heritage, and cherished traditions.
The celebrations began with a solemn Eucharistic Mass at Christ the King Church, Northumberland Avenue, at 12 noon, officiated by Fr Innaiah Maddineni. The Reading Goan Choir added to the spiritual atmosphere with their presence and hymns, making the occasion deeply meaningful for the faithful.
Organised by Foxes Events UK, the feast drew a large gathering of people hailing from Saligao and neighbouring areas now residing across various parts of the UK. Many attendees made it a priority to participate in the religious service before joining the social festivities that followed.
The evening celebrations featured food catered by Ferns Caterers led by Elvis Fernandes, along with vibrant entertainment that revived memories of the iconic Foxes Nite events once held in Goa during the early 1990s. Masters of ceremony Sinikka and Savio energised the crowd with games, especially for children, and distributed numerous attractive prizes, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.
A special mention was made of Melanie Fernandes, one of the core members of Foxes Events UK, whose tireless dedication and extraordinary efforts were instrumental in reviving the glorious spirit of the legendary Foxes dances in the UK.
Widely regarded as the brainchild behind this grand celebration, Melanie worked behind the scenes to meticulously plan and coordinate every aspect of the event to perfection, ensuring its success and rekindling a treasured chapter of Goan social history for the UK-based community.
Music lovers were treated to performances by Band V5 and DJ Kenn Gracias, whose foot-tapping music kept guests dancing well into the evening. Jude da Costa acknowledged the collective efforts of all Foxes Events members, whose dedication contributed significantly to the success of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Savio Carvalho expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed toward making the celebration a grand success.
He emphasised the importance of unity among all Saligao people living in the UK and highlighted Foxes Events UK’s vision for future gatherings. He shared that plans are underway to organise more community events that will not only preserve their cultural and religious traditions but also raise funds for meaningful causes, including community development initiatives and support for needy families.
He further expressed hope that the Feast of Mae de Deus would continue to be celebrated in the UK for many years to come, praying for blessings to help Goans build better lives abroad while continuing to support their families back home in Goa.
For many attendees, the celebration was more than just a feast—it was a special reunion. It offered an opportunity to reconnect with old neighbours and friends, relive treasured memories of Goa, and strengthen bonds within the community.
“It was particularly heartwarming to witness both older and younger generations coming together, exchanging greetings, and celebrating their shared Saligao heritage with pride and joy. The event beautifully reflected the enduring spirit of community, culture, and tradition among Goans living in the UK,” remarked Diana da Costa.
