IRELAND
Goans from different parts of Cork in Ireland celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary at the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne in Cork-Ireland on September 8.
Jorge Fernandes, who hails from Dramapur-Salcete, said he was keen to bring the Goan community together to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary.
“I have worked in the shipping line and have been residing in Cork-Ireland since 2022. I am employed as a surveyor at the Cork port. I was quite lonely when I landed in Cork as I hardly met Goans at the time. I was staying in Mayfield, and I went to the St Joseph church.”
“After a year, I shifted to Shandon and started going to Sunday Mass in the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, where I happened to find 5 Goans after one month,” said Jorge.
“During the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary in 2023, I was pleased to meet almost 80 Goans at a get-together in the Parish hall.”
Jorge said he organised a Konkani Mass which was celebrated by Fr Peter Raj from Sweden in 2024, and many Goans participated in the Mass.
“This year, we planned an even bigger celebration among the Goan community. I invited Fr Renato Andrade, a Pilar priest from the Goan Chaplaincy in the UK, to celebrate Mass along with two priests.”
Konkani hymns were sung during the service, and the choir consisted of Massima Rodrigues, Sein Dias, Lavita Vaz, Fabiola Fernandes, Anushka Fernandes, Travis Fernandes, Nancy Mascarenhas, Santanai Mascarenhes, Yanica D'Souza, Sonita Fernandes, Joaquin Cruz (organ) and Jamceia D'Cruz (guitar).
“About 200 Goans participated in the Mass, and many more could not be present as they were at work.”
Jorge acknowledged the support of Seby D’Souza, Lucas, Agnelo and Allia Barreto in organising the feast and preparing the snacks after Mass.
“During our get-together, the three priests cut the birthday cake. We organised spot games, music, and dance. Fr Renato also addressed the people at the get-together,” said Jorge.
