Goans venerate Goencho Saib across the world

AUSTRALIA

ADELAIDE: The Goan community will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral, 39 Wakefield Street, Adelaide, SA, on December 3 at 5.45 pm, followed by a community dinner at the Cathedral Hall. The event has been organised by Fr Lancy D’Silva, Administrator at the Adelaide Cathedral Parish, and Agnelo Fernandes.

ADELAIDE: The Adelaide Konkani Community celebrates a three-day Novena and Feast of St Francis Xavier at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hindmarsh, Adelaide.

The Novena (English) took place from November 26 to 28 at 7 pm, while Feast Mass (Konkani) will be celebrated on November 29 at 5 pm. The Mass will be followed by a festive dinner in the hall with DJ music and games.

MELBOURNE: The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria Inc. (GOAV) will celebrate the Feast at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, located at the corner of Johnson Street and Mora Avenue, Oakleigh, on December 6.

The celebration will begin with a 4 pm Mass in the Church, followed by festivities in the parish hall. The event promises to bring together the Goan community in Victoria for an evening of faith, food, music, and fellowship.

Highlights of the evening include a Christmas tree and Santa appearance, a lively Goencho Bazaar, and a buffet (BYO). Guests can also look forward to live music, dancing, and an atmosphere that captures the warmth and spirit of Goa’s traditional feast celebrations.

This annual feast, honouring Goa’s beloved patron saint, continues to be one of the most cherished events in the Goan calendar — celebrating faith, heritage, and community spirit in Melbourne.

BRISBANE: The Club de Goa, Brisbane, will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at St Gerard Majella Church, Chermside West on November 29 at at 4.30 pm, followed by dinner dance at Albany Creek Community Centre, Albany Creek at 6.30 pm.

The get-together includes a live band, Goan food, and BYO drinks, with guests encouraged to dress smart casual.

BAHRAIN

JUFFAIR: The Young Goans Club Bahrain will celebrate the Feast and Annual Day celebration at Olive Hotel, Juffair on December 12 from 7 pm onwards. The event will include a Christmas Tree Party for kids with a guest appearance by Santa, music by the live band 'Past Masters' and DJ Joel, and an array of Goan and continental delicacies

CANADA

CALGARY: The Goan Association Calgary will commemorate the Feast with a special English Mass to be celebrated by Fr Avi Colaco at St Cecilia Catholic Church on December 7 at 2 pm. The hymns will be sung in Konkani.

After Mass, The Goan community will celebrate together with an afternoon of faith, food, festive and fun. There will be DJ Music and dancing, followed by Bingo.

Children will take the stage for a play on the life of St Francis Xavier followed by Carol singing.

Dinner will be catered by Ayo Paixao consisting of Sorpotel, Chicken Cafreal, Rice, Vegetable Chili and Creamy Baked Chicken Pasta for the kids. Children will also learn to prepare some Goan Christmas sweets on November 30 and will serve these sweets at the St Francis Xavier Feast.

QUEBEC: The Quebec Goan Association will celebrate the Feast with a Mass concelebrated by two priests at St John Fisher Catholic Church in Pointe-Claire, QC, on November 29 at 6.30 pm. The Melodic Stars Choir will lead the congregation in English and Konkani hymns.

Following the Mass, a social gathering will take place in the church hall, featuring DJ music, dancing, food catered by Mama’s Goan Food, and numerous raffle prizes. For the first time, the QGA is introducing two new food stalls, where guests can pre-order or purchase an array of dishes from Oli & Njoy and Indian Coastal Cuisine, both operated by talented young entrepreneurs.

VANCOUVER: The Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Vancouver will celebrate the Feast with a Konkani Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Delta, BC, on November 29 at 12 pm. The main celebrant will be Fr Nixon D’Silva, while the homily will be preached by Fr Cannio Cardozo OCD. After Mass, there will be a light meal and fellowship as Goans will celebrate their faith, culture, and the inspiring legacy of St Francis Xavier.

GERMANY

RÜSSELSHEIM: The Goan community will celebrate the Feast in Rüsselsheim, Germany, with a Mass at St Georg's Kirche, Königstädter Straße 20, Rüsselsheim, on December 6 at 11 am, followed by a get-together at St Josef Kirche (church hall), Paul-Hessemer Str.2a, Rüsselsheim, to share a meal and celebrate Goan spirit.

INDIA

BAGALKOTE: The St Francis Xavier Church at Kattinganhalli, Asangi in Bagalkote district in North Karnataka that was founded by the Goa Jesuits will celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a special morning Mass on December 3.

BELAGAVI: St Francis Xavier Association, Belagavi, a century-old association of Goan settlers will celebrate the Feast on December 3. A Konkani Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church at 7 am.

BELAGAVI: The St Xavier's High School at Belagavi will celebrate the Feast with a Mass on December 3 at 9 am, followed by the celebrations at St Xaviers High School hall. 

KOLHAPUR: Priests and staff at the St Xavier’s High School, Kolhapur will celebrate the Feast at the High School campus on December 3. The celebrations will begin at 11 am with a Eucharist followed by celebrations.

KOLHAPUR: The St Francis Xavier Church, Kolhapur, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, will celebrate the Feast with a Mass on December 7 at 10 am.

MUMBAI: The St Francis Xavier Church at Dabul-Mumbai has begun the Novena to St Francis Xavier from November 28 to December 6, with Masses at 5.30 pm (Konkani) and 7 pm (English). There will be a fete and programmes like Karoke Nite, DJ Nite, Community Nite and Parish Nite with dance, games, dine, get-together, Housie, etc. from December 4 to 7. The Feast is celebrated every year but this year the Parish youth have taken the initiative to organise the events.

MUMBAI: The Goan Outreach Association will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at Fatima Church, Kirol, Vidyavihar (W) on December 7 at 5 pm. This will be followed by an Academic Awards & Cultural Evening from 6 pm onwards, which will include the annual academic awards, games, skit, party dance, Konkani poetry competition and exclusive Goan cuisine.

IRELAND

WICKLOW: The Wicklow Goan will celebrated the Feast with a Mass at the St Anthony’s Church, Kilcoole Church on December 3 at 7 pm. Goan priest Fr Candido will be flying from Goa specially for the Mass.

KENYA

MOMBASA: The Goan Community along with The Goan Institute will commemorate the Feast with a Mass to be celebrated by Fr Correa on December 3 at 6.45 pm at the GI Front Lawns, Mombasa.

This will be followed by music and traditional dinner which includes sorpotel, tongue roast, Goan pulao, palak paneer, salad and ice-cream.

NAIROBI: The Goan Community in Nairobi will celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3 with a Mass at St Francis Xavier Church, Parklands, at 10 am, followed by a get-together at the Goan Gymkhana, organised by The Friends of St. Francis Xavier Committee.

KUWAIT

KUWAIT CITY: The Goan community will celebrate the Feast with a Konkani Mass at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral, Kuwait City on November 30 at 3 pm and 4.15 pm and at the Holy Family Co-Cathedral Grotto on December 3 at 6.34 pm. Fr Orfin Menezes OFM Cap, a Capuchin Priest from Goa, will be in Kuwait to celebrate the Feast Mass.

NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND: The Goan Overseas Association of New Zealand (GOANZ) will celebrate the Feast on December 6 with a Mass at St Therese Catholic Church, Mount Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland, followed by a social get together including dinner thereafter in the Parish Hall. There will be singing, dancing and fun activities to celebrate and commemorate the Goencho Saib.

OMAN

MUSCAT: The Goan Community of Oman has begun the Novena to St Francis Xavier since Wednesday, 26th December 2025 in the Parish of Sts Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman. There are plans to have Goan music on the Vespers on December 4. The Concelebrated Feast Mass will be celebrated on December 5 at 9.15 am.

Fr. Louis Menezes, a Goan priest from Mumbai, has been invited for the Novena as well as for the Feast Mass. A get-together for the Goan community has been organised at 12 noon in the Church premises.

PAKISTAN

KARACHI: The Goinkars Own Academy will celebrate the Feast with a Solemn Bilingual (English & Konkani) Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on December 3 at 6.30 pm. Refreshments will be provided to the congregation after Mass and dinner for committee members later to celebrate the Feast. 

QATAR

DOHA: The Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) has been conducting the Novena to St Francis Xavier from November 26 till December 4 with Rosary at 6.30 pm and Mass at 7 pm in the Seraphic Hall. The Feast will be celebrated on December 5 with Rosary (4.10 pm), followed by the Feast Mass (Main Church) at 4.30 pm. Fr Gabriel Pascoal Marto Fernandes will be the Preacher at Mass. This will be followed by a cultural programme at 6.15 pm and dinner in the Arabia/Seraphic Hall) at 7.15 pm.

SAUDIA ARABIA

DAMMAM: The United Goans of Saudi Arabia will celebrate the Feast at Jasmine Hall, Red Pot Restaurant, Dammam, Saudi Arabia on December 5 at 10 pm. The Mass will be celebrated in Konkani, led by two Goan priests, Fr Xavier D’Souza and Fr Nelson Lobo, with a special Konkani choir to add to the celebration. After Mass, there will be a fellowship with lunch sponsored by UGSA and there will be games, spot prizes, and carol singing to bring alive the spirit of the Advent season within the Goan community.

TANZANIA

ZANZIBAR: The Goan community has been conducting the Novena to St Francis since November 24 and will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral, Zanzibar, on December 3 at 5 pm.

After Mass, there will be a get-together at a nearby hotel Maru Maru Hotel in the Stone Town for snacks and refreshments.

UGANDA

KAMPALA: The Goan community will commemorate the Feast with a Mass to be celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Gerald Kalumba at the Christ the King Church, Kampala, on December 3 at 6 pm. A brunch will be organised on December 7 at the Copper Chimney Restaurant from 11.30 am onwards. The celebration is a moment of unity, gratitude, and faith, besides a time for Goans to come together as one family.

UAE

SHARJAH: The Goan Catholic community at St Michael's Church, Sharjah, will celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier with a Mass on December 2 at 10 am. The main celebrant will be Fr Sanny Fernandes. The Rosary, Mass and Novena have begun on November 23 at the specially created St Francis Xavier grotto after the Konkani Mass on all days except November 28, when the Novena will be held after the English Mass in the Church.

UNITED KINGDOM

ABERDEEN: The Goan community will celebrate the Feast at the St Joseph Church, Woodside Aberdeen on December 6 at 8 pm.

ASHFORD: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Micheal’s Catholic Church, Ashford TW15 2QD, on November 30 at 2 pm.

COVENTRY: The Coventry Goan Association will celebrate the Feast at St Osborn Church, Barres Lane, on November 29 at 12 noon. Fr Mark Furtado will celebrate a Konkani Mass, followed by music by the band ‘Re-Sync’, with MC Simon Varella in attendance.

CRANFORD: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Our Lady and St Christopher Church, Cranford TW5 9RG, on December 3 at 6 pm.

FELTHAM: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Lawrence’s RC Church, Feltham TW13 4AF, on December 3 at 4 pm.

GREENFORD: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Greenford UB6 9AN on December 2 7 pm.

HAYES: The Pilar Fathers will celebrate the Feast with a Konkani Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hayes, on December 4 at 6 pm.

HEATHROW: The United Friends Heathrow – UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at St George Chapel, Heathrow Airport, on December 3 at 2 pm. The main celebrant will be Fr Renato Andrade SFX, while Fr Paul Ibekwe C.S.Sp will be the con-celebrant at the Mass.

HESTON: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Our Lady Queen of Aposties Church, Heston TW5 0RL on December 7 at 1 pm.

HOUNSLOW: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Micheal & Martin Church, Hounslow TW3 3EH on December 3 at 7 pm.

HOUNSLOW: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Sts Micheal & Martin Church, Hounslow TW3 3EH on December 21 at 4 pm.

ISLEWORTH: The Goan Association UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Vincent de Paul Church, 2 Witham Road, Isleworth, on November 29 at 5.45 pm, followed by a social at the Parish Hall. Music will be provided by Alfred-One touch Rhythm.

LECEISTER:  The Leceister Goans will celebrate the Feast with a Konkani Mass at St John Bosco Church on December 6 at 2 pm, followed by Dine n Dance at the Church hall. Music will be provided by DJs N2NE and ARNER, while Tony will be the MC.

LONDON: The House of Commons will mark the feast by hosting an event on December 4 from 3-5 pm. The event in the House of Commons is organised by MP Seema Malhotra and co-hosted by Pamela and Kevin Rodrigues. Admission is strictly by invitation.

LONDON: The United Friends UK London will commemorate with Feast with the 9th Annual Dance at the Crawford Community College premises on December 29 from 6 pm onwards. Music will be provided by the band ‘Legacy’ and DJ Jonathan Barreto, with MC Bunty in attendance.

LONDON: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Antony of Padua Church, London E7 9QB, on November 29 at 12 noon.

MITCHAM: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Mitcham CR4 4LD on December 14 at 3 pm.

OSTERLEY: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Vincent De Paul Church, Osterley, TW7 4AJ on December 3 at 7 pm.

PETERBOROUGH: The Goan Chaplaincy UK celebrated the Feast with a Mass at the St Peter & All Souls Church, Peterborough PE1 2RS on November 28 at 6 pm.

SOUTHALL: The Goan Community Association (Ealing) UK will celebrate the Feast at St Anselm’s Church on December 3 at 7 pm.

SOUTHALL: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Anselm’s Church, Southall UB2 4BE on December 20 at 4 pm.

SOUTHAMPTON: The Golden Goa Association will celebrate the Feast with an English Mass at the St Boniface Church, Shirley Southampton on November 29 at 10 am, followed by a function at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hall from 3 pm to 11 pm.

SWINDON: The Goan community will celebrate the Feast with a Mass in Konkani and English Masses at Holy Rood Catholic Church, Swindon, on December 3. The main celebrant will be Bishop Bosco MacDonald. Konkani Masses will be celebrated at 8 am and 9.30 am, followed by an English Mass at 6 pm. 

WEMBLEY: The Goan Chaplaincy UK will celebrate the Feast with a Mass at the St Joseph’s RC Church, Wembley HA9 6AG on December 7 at 4 pm.

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA:  CalifornianGoans will commemorate the Feast on December 1 at 5 pm with a Mass in Konkani to be celebrated by Fr Bernard D’Sa which includes a Konkani choir, followed by a procession, and litany at the St Athanasius Catholic Church, Mountain View, California.

Confraria members will participate in procession with children dressed as angels leading the procession. 

The Mass will be followed by a get-together with dinner. Traditional feast favourites like Choris Pão, Chana, Ladoos, Kadyo Bodyo, etc. will be available at the event.

NEW YORK: The Goan Association of New York will celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier at St Luke’s Church Hall in Whitestone, New York on December 7. The celebration will start with Holy Mass followed by a celebration at the Church Hall. The donation of unwrapped gifts and raffle baskets would help the Association’s different charities in New York, Goa and Mumbai. The Goan community will be treated to Goan, Indian and Portuguese cuisine and music by DJ Evette as well as the much anticipated arrival of Santa with gifts for the kids.

NEW YORK: The Goan Community of Hudson Valley, New York, will commemorate the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier with a Mass to be celebrated by a Goan priest at the Assumption Church, Peekskill, New York, on December 6 at 7 pm. The Mass will be both in Konkani and English. The hymns all in Konkani will be sung by the Goan community choir group.

Following Mass, the dinner party will be held at the community hall, and will consist of a buffet of home-cooked and traditional Goan delicacies and Goan sweets all contributed by individual community members. There will by dancing to traditional Konkani Melodies, English Oldies, Mando, Portuguese songs and also some new music for the youngsters. This event brings the Goan community together to be thankful for the Blessings they have received from their Patrol Saint who continues to protect and guide them.

PENNSYLVANIA: The Goa Pennsylvania Group will celebrate the Feast at the St Thomas Aquinas Church 121 Belmont Ave, Croydon, PA on December 7. The event will begin with Rosary (12.30 pm), Mass (1 pm), Luncheon (BYOB), games and prizes (2 pm).  

The annual event crowns a year of devotion marked by monthly novenas and prayer meetings. These gatherings have kept alive the cherished Goan tradition of honouring ‘Goencho Saib’ while strengthening bonds of fellowship among families across Pennsylvania and neighbouring states.

WASHINGTON DC: The Feast of St Francis Xavier is annually celebrated by the Goan Association in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia). This year, it will begin with a Holy Mass at St Timothy's Church in Chantilly, VA at 12 noon on December 6. The main celebrant is Fr Charles Borges. This will be followed by a get-together for members, which includes traditional Goan cuisine.