Pics & News : Praveen Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media network - Sharjah
Sharjah, Dec 6: The traditional St Francis Xavier known to Goans as the Goyncho Saib was celebrated on December 2 at St Michael's Catholic Church organized by the Sharjah Goan Community.
The Feast started with a Brass Band playing in the church compound followed by the Solemn High Mass. The main celebrant was Fr Bruno Leitao who had come to Sharjah all the way from Goa to deliver his homilies including during the tridum – the last 3 days of novenas with mass. The spiritual director Fr Maxim Pinto thanked all the people gathered to celebrate the Mass and also to his fellow priests for sharing the altar. The Konkani choir group with seven musicians added value to the celebratory mass.
A cultural programme was held immediately after the mass in the church main hall which was packed to full capacity this year. The programme was declared open by the cultural coordinator Mr Edwin Rodrigues. Bouquets of flowers as appreciation were handed to Fr Bruno by the coordinator Mr Cedric Gomes and to Fr Maxim by the Secretary Martha D’Souza. Songs of the yesteryears was the highlight of the evening sung by the most talented singers like Lanisha and Delisha Vaz, Preema Rodrigues, Cressilda Rodrigues, Florinda Cardozo, Santan Rodrigues, Edwin Rodrigues, Uttam Menezes, Jhofild D’Costa, and Phillip Fernandes. The Music was arranged by Ramiro Mascarenhas and played by ten strong musicians who could be seen by all since they were positioned on top of the stage to add spice to the musical show. This rare kind of show was hosted by MC Jhofild D’Costa.
The band Desert Rain played some scintillating music rendered with Portuguese tracks entertained the packed crowd while having their lunch in the courtyard of the church premises. A housie round was held and for the first time there was a stall for playing different games as well. The multi cuisine speciality of Goan delights which was cooked at home and brought to share to all by the community was tasty and everyone enjoyed their meals and went home fully satisfied.
'St Francis Xavier, Let us be the fountains of God’s Mercy' was the main theme of this year’s feast.