LONDON
The Goan Chaplaincy UK brought the Goan community in Wembley and around London together on August 15 to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mother Mary at the St Joseph's RC Church in Wembley London.
This year’s celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mother Mary was organised by the Goa Chaplaincy and it coincided with India's 75th Independence Day celebrations.
The Feast Mass was in Konkani, which was celebrated by Fr Patrick D’Souza and Fr Feroz Fernandes, and was attended by around 800 Goans.
Speaking to The Global Goenkar, Fr Patrick, a member of the Society of Pilar and the Goan Chaplaincy UK appreciated the participation of the Goan community in these celebrations.
“Our faith has brought the Goan community and different Goan associations together. We should all work together” said Fr Patrick, in his address to the community after the Mass.
The event received the support of Ravi Vaz (President of Goan Association UK), Floyd Dias Do Rosario (Director of United Goans Affiliation UK Ltd) and Clayton Antonio Barreto (Senior Officer - Indian High Commission, London).
On the occasion, many Indian flags were distributed to the Goan community at the Mass, while the Goan Association UK supported the event with refreshments after the Church services.
To mark the two occasions there was a drawing competition organised for children of different age groups. The children submitted their drawings to the organisers when they arrived at the Church and the results were declared after Mass.
In the 4-6 year category, the prize winners were Adele Albuquerque (first), Ninoshka Da Cruz (second) and Cheryl Fernandes (third).
In the 7-9 year category, the prize winners were Greshon Fernandes (first), Alicia Fernandes (second) and Ethan Antonio Barreto (third). Lionel Albuquerque won the prize in the 10-12 year category.
Speaking on the occasion, Domnic Cardoz from Wembley said, “It was a nice festive feeling to see our Goan Community coming together celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Assumption and celebrating India’s 75th Independence day. It was indeed a very patriotic feeling.” The Goans felt the pride of holding the Indian flag and being connected with it.
The Goan community thanked the Goan Chaplain, Fr Patrick, and the Society of Pilar for reaching out to the Goan community in the UK. The community members also thanked Clayton Barreto for his continued service to the Goan Diaspora in the UK and for reaching out to the Goans in need.
