Daijiworld News Network, Canada

Toronto, Nov 24: To commemorate the 500th birthday of St.Francis Xavier with pomp and glory, the Indian communities of Toronto & Mississauga in Canada organised year long various spiritual & cultural celebrations during this Jubilee Year commenced on December 3rd 2005.  

As the part of the celebration, a spirit filled Parish Mission was conducted in three churches across the Greater Toronto Area during the months of September / October 2006.  In order to have a family fellowship a summer picnic was held in June this year.

To culminate this great Jubilee year, a gala finale programme is set on 3rd December 2006.  The finale programme will commence with the Eucharistic Celebration at noon.  Fr. Jean Marc Laporte, S.J., (Provincial Superior of the Upper Canada Province) will be the main celebrant and South Asian priests in the GTA will be invited to join this celebration. This would be yet another great opportunity for members of the various Indian communities to gather and celebrate their unity in diversity.

The programme will take place at The Grand Taj Banquet Hall (6915 Dixie Road, Unit 20, Mississauga, ON L5T 2G2). There will be a band and DJ (Pave Connection) in attendance. There are limited number of tickets available now and will be on first-come-first-serve basis. (Children 3-11 years - $15, Adults 12 and above - $25). 

Those interested may please contact Fr Daryl Miranda, S.J., at 204 296-5116 or d2miranda2004@yahoo.ca or dmiranda@jesuits.ca or the concerned association representative for further details.

The following Associations were the generous sponsors for the year long Jubilee celebrations:

Goan Overseas Association (GOA)
St. Francis Xavier Senior’s Club
The Canorient Christian Association (Canorient)                         
The Canorient Seniors Association
The Jesuit Fathers of Upper Canada
The Mangalorean Association of Canada