First Konkani Easter Vigil service
The Konkani Mass Group will organise the first Konkani Easter Vigil service in Aberdeen-Scotland at St Joseph's Church, Woodside, on April 8 at 9 pm.
Brunette Pereira, Coordinator of the Konkani Mass Group, said the Sacraments of Initiations – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – will be celebrated during the Easter Vigil.
“Here, combined into one service we will be blessing the fire and lighting the Paschal Candle, commemorating the Service of Light, Service of the Word, Service of Baptism, and the Service of the Eucharist,” said Pereira.
“Mass intentions and donations will be accepted to cover the expenses incurred for the preparation of this service. We have planned a small ‘Token of Love’ for each family after the service.”
“The Konkani Mass Group has welcomed families and friends to participate in the Konkani Easter service. We are at our best when we celebrate together so let us come together to become part of the fabric of this small community and have a joyful, thoughtful first Konkani service of Easter in Aberdeen-Scotland,” Pereira added.
Pereira said she had initiated the Konkani Mass Group in January 2022 and celebrates the Konkani Mass every month.
“The Konkani Mass will be attended by the Konkani-speaking parishioners from Goa, Mangalore, Karwar and Bombay,” said Pereira.
GCA to stage Easter dine, dance party
The Goan Community Aberdeen (GCA) will present an Easter Dine and Dance Party for members, their families and friends at The Sportsman's Club, Queens Road, Aberdeen on April 9 from 6 pm onwards.
The event will be hosted by Emcee Jean D'Souza, while music will be provided by ‘Oceanix’ and DJ Jeremy Vibrant. There will be a number of prizes and surprises at the event. Tickets include snacks and a buffet catered by a registered caterer from Aberdeen.
On the occasion, there will be the release of a publication 'Clouds in my Eyes' compiled by fellow Goan, Flora Fernandes, based on poems about nature and the painful journey of life, etc.
Flora Fernandes is a nature lover, spiritualist, artist and poet. She trained as a lawyer in Goa and worked in civil and criminal law. She has also been a volunteer, campaigning for human rights and environmental protection.
Now based in Aberdeen, she goes back to her earlier passion of writing poems, sketching, painting, and photography.
She says: "I started writing, painting, and doing sketches as a young girl. It was a secret hobby. No member of my family knew of it, and my plan was to give this as a surprise gift to my dad. Unfortunately, he passed away before this work could be completed, and I dedicate it to his memory.”
