ADELAIDE
The Feast of St Francis Xavier was celebrated in Adelaide with great fervour and tradition on November 29.
The Archdiocese of Adelaide has sanctioned four Masses in Konkani and this feast constituted one of those Masses. As Konkani is spoken by both Goans and Mangaloreans, both communities came together to celebrate the feast on November 29 as it was the nearest weekend.
The feast was preceded by a three-day Novena where the Masses were in English to facilitate a wider participation. While Daniel D’Silva led the choir on the first day, Blaise Fernandes, founder of the Konkani Choir led the choir on the other days and for the feast Mass in Konkani.
The feast Mass was celebrated by Fr Santhosh Nazareth, Chaplain, Konkani Community of Adelaide and in his sermon emphasised the theme “Bhorvanso amkam fottoina” (Hope does not disappoint) and drew analogies to the hopes new migrants have.
He was instrumental in the three-day Novena and infused the organising committee headed by Blaise Fernandes with various ideas to reach the wider community and bring about a greater fervour for the faith.
The congregation consisting of both Goans and Mangaloreans and others were pleased to participate in the Mass and hymns in Konkani, as it brought back nostalgic memories of celebrations in Goa and Mangalore.
The Mass was followed by a congenial fellowship in the church hall where there were games and top class DJ music by Nick Fernandes, with Xavier Paul as the MC. The dinner was cooked by well-known chef Greg Abranches, originally from Pirna, Goa/Bombay and the fine vindalho made up for the lack of Chouriço com pao. Rosemary Paul’s aloo-gobi and Xavier Paul’s papads brought about a wider Indian flavour. Olivia D’Silva, originally from Colvale-Goa made traditional Goan batica as a take-away. Joseph Fernandes, the designated photographer of the event captured the highlights.
The St Francis Xavier Feast committee put in a lot of efforts to deliver the event to a high standard including veteran Goan event supporters Bryan and Angelica Fernandes. Most of the attendees expressed their desire for more events in Konkani as they mused on the quintessential Goan way of life.
On the December 3, the Feast was celebrated in the St Francis Xavier Cathedral of Adelaide by Fr Bob Wilkinson, 92, of the Archdiocese who also celebrated the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination in November this year. Fr Lancy D’Silva, Dean and Administrator of the Cathedral concelebrated the Mass along with other priests.
A festive dinner was held at the cathedral hall hosted by Agnello Fernandes and his team.
