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Doha, Dec 4:  The feast of St Francis Xavier was celebrated grandly on Thursday December 3 at the church of Our Lady of the Rosary, here.
It was held under the guidance of Fr Anand Castelino, the spiritual director of the Konkani community, and the Konkani Speaking Committee (KSC) having representatives from Goa and Mangalore.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the church for the Holy Mass in Konkani which was concelebrated by two priests - Fr Anand Castelino, and the main celebrant Fr Simon Rico the visiting priest from Goa. Fr Simon preached Homily Also on this occasion.  The preaching was based on various themes during the nine days novena and was very much liked and appreciated by the community.

Parish priest Fr Selvaraja delivered his message at the beginning of the mass as he had to rush for his mass obligations. Fr Selvaraja felicitated to Fr Simon Rico with a shawl.

Earlier, on Wedenday December 2, as a conclusion to the nine days novena was celebrated with a mass, followed by a procession with the statue of St Francis Xavier and its devotees around the church compound and concluded with novena.

The feast Pirginth was Mr John & Mrs Jessy Dsa.  Novena sponsors, Murdoms and Pirginth were honoured with a blessed candle and this was conducted by the secretary of KSC.  Mrs. Treesa Goveas thanked all the Pirginth, sponsors, murdoms who contributed towards novenas and feast celebrations, the Mangalorean choir, Goan choir, youth and children’s choir groups, during the novenas.

In his address Fr Castelino thanked the committee for organizing the event. He also thanked Fr Simon for his visit to Doha for this occasion and the wonderful sermons throughout the novenas. He appreciated the Pirginth, Mudthoms, sponsors, and all those who worked for this event as well as all the community for coming together to make it a successful occasion.

Fr Castelino and Mr.Vivian Dsouza President of KSC felicitated Fr Simon and Pirginth with a memento and a shawl.Fr Simon addressed the gathering and thanked everyone for inviting him and giving him an opportunity to preach the nine days novenas and celebrate the feast with the Konkani speaking community in Qatar. Pirginth Mr John Dsa Spoken on this occasion.

Delicious food was served by Pirginth Mr John& Mrs Jessy Dsa to all present and this was relished by all.