Goans in Vancouver got together for the first time to celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a Konkani Mass at St Nicholas Parish in Langley, BC on December 3.
Braving the bad weather conditions, the Goan community celebrated the Feast Mass with enthusiasm and fervour.
Fr Wilfred Gomes who served the Archdiocese of Vancouver for the last 27 years was the main celebrant, while other concelebrants were Fr Mario, Fr Alex, Fr Neven, Fr Canio and Fr Nixon.
The statue of St Francis Xavier was brought by Fr Nixon D’Silva all the way from Goa.
In his homily, Fr Nixon D’Silva highlighted the exemplary life of St Francis Xavier and stressed the importance of pursuing our calling with love and passion as St Francis Xavier did. He said that St Francis was a man in a hurry to win souls for God.
The youth Winona Rebello and Abigail Braganza did the Readings and Allen Fernandes read the Prayers of the Faithful.
The congregation participated in the Mass with devotion and sang hymns in Konkani. The Feast Mass included the traditional flowers (Festachem Fulham) and Band to keep the Goan spirit alive.
After the Eucharistic Celebration, the people enjoyed a delicious Goan lunch which included Xacuti, Sorpatel and Kadio-Bodio, prepared by generous and talented members of the Goan community.
Fr Nixon thanked the priests and all those who took part in the celebration and expressed hope that the Feast Mass in Konkani would be celebrated annually to commemorate the feast of St Francis Xavier.
