Media Release

Toronto, Jan 29: Every year the archdiocese of Toronto invites one of the communities in Toronto to organize a special mass. This year in their strategy meeting one of the bishops recommended that the Goan community be asked because of its strong leadership and organizational skills set. The Canadian Goan Christian group and the Goan Overseas Association were appreciated for organizing the wonderful event.

How delightful it was for all the people of Goan origin to have the opportunity of celebrating the mass presided over by cardinal Thomas Collins on this auspicious day of the feast day of the Goan saint Father Joseph Vaz. The mass was attended by over 500 people, including dignitaries namely Bonnie Crombie, mayor of Mississauga, Rona Ambrose, federal leader of the opposition, Peter Fonseca, liberal MP, councillor Joe Mihevc (representing Toronto mayor John Tory), Shelly White, CEO of the United Way, Peel police chief, Jennifer Evans and deputy chief and the ever popular former mayor of Mississauga, Hazel McCallion. There was a special guard of honor organized by the Knights of Columbus. The occasion was also graced by the presence of the rector of St Augustine’s seminary, Fr Edwin Gonsalves who brought along several Goan seminarians.

After the mass, the congregation was treated to speeches by the dignitaries at the parish hall and sumptuous snacks. The leaders of the hosts, Dr Colin Saldanha of the CGCG and Selwyn Collaco, president of GOA, set off the function by welcoming the cardinal and all the attendees of the celebration of this wonderful feast instituted by Pope Francis. They recollected that this feast was personal for the Goan community recalling that Canada welcomed South Asian refugees from Uganda in 1972 among whom were a sizeable number of Goans including many at the hall.

The cardinal talked about the significance of the feast, and expressed his appreciation for the Goan community for their faith and hard work within the Church in the archdiocese.

All the other dignitaries took turns in praising the work of the Church and the role played by cardinal Collins whose birthday it was the day before. It was recalled that Canada was known to be built by immigrants. They all remembered that as they celebrated, Canada was welcoming a new batch of refugees from Syria.

The congregation was also treated to some wonderful Goan traditional dances and songs which were much appreciated by all.

CGCG and GOA and all who attended namely the Goans, Mangalureans, East Indians, Anglo Indians and many others were thanked. Pastor Fr Marc-Andre Campbell (who was away) was thanked as well as the associate pastor Fr Joseph Alozie for the use of St Joseph’s. Canada and all the Canadians were thanked in a special way for welcoming the migrants and the refugees.