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Doha, 04 December 2016: St. Francis Xavier “Goencho Saib” feast is celebrated on 3rd December 2016 by all Goans with great fervor and devotion wherever they may be. In Doha Qatar, all Konkani speaking people of Our Lady of Rosary Church of Qatar under the banner of Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) and under the guidance of Fr. Anand Castelino OFM Cap, the Spiritual Director of the Konkani community celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier on a grandeur scale.

The feast mass was celebrated on Saturday December 3rd 2016 at 7.00 pm by thousands of devotees gathered at the Our Lady of Arabia Hall.The Holy mass in Konkani was concelebrated by visiting priest Rev. Fr Simao Urbano Menezes from Goa Diocese and Fr. Anand Castelino.  Rev. Fr Simao Urbano Menezes, the main celebrant in his homily preached on the St. Francis Xavier - Witness to the Proclamation of God’s Word.

As a preparation to the feast, nine days novena from 24th November was held and Fr. Simao Urbano Menezes preached on various themes which was very much liked and appreciated by the community. On 2nd December, as a conclusion to 9 days novena, Besp was celebrated with a holy hour, 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 11 families jointly celebrated the feast. They are (Neri Alphonso &Fly, Ambrosio Dias & Fly, Rosario Dias & Fly, Moses Fernandes & Fly, Joaquim Pereira & Fly, Roseferns & Fly, Herculano Cruz & Fly, Vigillio Rodrigues & Fly, Joaquim Rodrigues& Fly, Cedric Fonseca& Fly, and Rosario Dcunha & Family). The offertory procession was made by the Pirginth, All Novena Sponsors, Murdoms and Pirginth were honoured with a blessed candle and this was conducted by, KSC Secretary. At the end of the mass, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Selvaraj conveyed his festive greetings to the Konkani community people and thanked Fr. Anand and Fr. Simao Urbano Menezes who were instrumental for the great devotion observed by the people to St. Francis Xavier and for the grand celebrations. He invoked the blessings of St. Francis Xavier on all his devotees.

In his address Fr Castelino thanked the committee for organizing the event. He also thanked Fr Simao Urbano Menezes for his visit to Doha for this occasion and the wonderful sermons throughout the novenas. He appreciated the Pirgent, 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 thanked to Mr. & Mrs. Effie Nornoha for altar decoration and 9 days novenas and feast day Flowers provide to Alter by Goan Art Tailor.

Delicious food was served to all present organized by Pirginth and was thoroughly relished by all.  Later Bingo was conducted by Nery Alphonso.

The feast celebration which brought all Goans and Mangaloreans under one roof showed the unity in the Konkani Speaking community of Qatar and the love for Konkani which was the main aim.  Konkani Speaking Committee thanks all the sponsors, murdhoms, Pirginth, volunteers, ushers, Goan/Mangalorean/Youth & Children’s choir groups, participants and all who have contributed to the success of the feast.

Cultural Program:

After Friday (02-12-2016) Evening mass was followed by a short cultural program at the hall where all people gathered after small coffee break. The cultural program was conducted by Mr Delphy. KSC President Vivian D’Souza along with led Fr. Anand Castelino, Fr. Simao Urbano Menezes to the stage.  Mr Vivian D’Souza welcomed the gathering and the guests were honored with flower bouquets. He also added a thank you note to Fr Simao Urbano Menezes.

Fr Castelino and Mr. Vivian D’Souza President of KSC felicitated Fr Menezes with a memento and a shawl.Fr. Menezes spoke on the occasion and exchanged his feelings of gratitude for the wonderful opportunity given to him to preach the 9 days novenas and celebrate the feast with the faithful Konkani Speaking Community in Qatar. He was touched by the love and affection shown by the Doha people and he too has learnt a lot from the people and praised and asked to continue to grow in faith.

In the cultural program, started with Goan song, then a dance item was presented by Mangalorean young people to the famous Konkani song sung by Gulf Voice of Mangalore first runner up Clement Fernandes, Jovita Pereira. Anil Cutinha ,Walter Shawn Pinto, Clement Fernandes.entertained the gathering with their rib-tickling shorts Note ban skit. This was followed by another dance item from Savious Crasta, Jovial D’souza   which was enjoyed by all.  Bertha Rodrigues - KSC Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks She specially thanked all the food sponsors who cooked food daily and helped in the food sale during the novenas .

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