Media Release
Adelaide, Jun 15: After the first get-together on 22nd March 2025 for the Konkani Mass, the Goan-Mangalorean Konkani Community of Adelaide gathered to celebrate the Feast of God, The Most Holy Trinity on 14th June 2025.
The preparations commenced a month in advance with the choir practices. The choir is the only regular Konkani choir in the state and constantly endeavours to excel in praise and worship.
Under the leadership of Fr Santhosh Nazareth CSC, who is now the Konkani Community of Adelaide chaplain after Fr Lancy D'Souza CSC, the community continues to maintain their dedication to keep faith and the native Konkani language alive. His slogan "Konkani-cho divo, korum-ia jivo!" is rallying call to underscore the importance of the mother tongue and culture in foreign lands.
Concelebrants Fr Santhosh Nazareth CSC, Fr Lancy D'Souza CSC, Altar Boy Aiden Dias
Choir members: Ancilla Dias, Lolita D'Souza, Priyanka Mascarenhas, Juliet Goveas, Mischelle D'Souza, Joanita D'Souza, Cynthia Cardoza, Ashwith D'Souza, Shanice Noronha, Avithus Cardoza and Dominic Pinto.
Kitchen Team India glory to the Holy Trinity: Ancilla Dias, Shanice Noronha, Sydney D'Souza, Ashwith D'Souza, Priyanka Mascarenhas, Xavier Paul, Jaspreet Singh, Blaise Fernandes
Youth 'Corps' volunteers serving tasty Bafad, Punjabi Chicken Curry, Dal Makahni, Pulao rice and assortment of breads.
Visiting mums from Mangalore.
Chief cook Jaspreet Singh and Fr Santhosh Nazareth CSC in the hall
Bafad piping hot and ready
Sydney D'Souza devoted and diligent to kitchen prep
The feast Mass commenced at 5 pm and was concelebrated by Fr Santhosh Nazareth and Fr Lancy D'Souza with Fr Lancy being the main celebrant.
Fr Lancy is currently Dean of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral and Administrator of the Adelaide Cathedral parish.
For a cold and wet winter evening, the turnout at church was quite heart-warming.
Fr Lancy in his homily spoke about the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity and how it is only in faith that we get deeper understanding of truth.
Fr Santhosh called out for a special prayer, those who were celebrating their birthday and anniversaries. He also welcomed and prayed for new migrants and visitors from the Konkani community.
A highlight of the choir was a specially composed Konkani lyrics hymn TRI-EKA DEVA AMCHEA ROCHNARA to honour God, the Most Holy Trinity by Blaise Fernandes. The choir also revived an old favorite from Goa and Mangalore "Mhojea Deva tum sorv boro" to the delight of the congregation. Juliet Goveas and Shanice Noronha harmonized voices along with the choir members Ancilla Dias, Dominic Pinto, Ashwith and Priyanka Mascarenhas D'Souza, Avithus and Cynthia Cardoza, Joanita D'Souza, Mischelle D'Souza and Lolita D'Souza to a soulful rendition of "Tuje Upkar Dhonia, Koxe Badoiteleanv".
The dinner-fellowship that followed in the church hall was abuzz with great Konkani camaraderie and chatter. A special highlight has been the assistance provided through the years by Xavier and Rosemary Paul to facilitate the fellowships even though not ethnically from the Konkani community. Furthermore, a well-wisher from the Punjabi community Jaspreet Singh cooked up mouthwatering Jeera-rice, Dal Makahni and Chicken curry making it a 'national' get-together. Pork Bafad provided by Rina remained a hot favorite and it was all capped with "Vorn" prepared by Lydia Qadras. Other generous community members kept the community spirit with various contributions.
The community now prepares for an archdiocese-wide event, the St Thomas Mass on 4th July 2025. This is a unique Mass where various Indian communities from North to South pray and sing in their individual ethnic languages. It is also a celebration of Indian Christian Day wherein all mainstream Christian denominations unite and celebrate the coming of St Thomas the Apostle with the faith to India more than 2000 years ago.