Sunday 3rd December, getting ready for the Feast day celebrations, my wife never fails to disappoint me! Arrive 10 minutes late, hey, but no sweat, I had already attended another SFX feast day celebration in Osterley, on Saturday. Guess what - the mass hasn't started, I am now thinking my wife is destined for sainthood.
The mass was concelebrated, Rev. Fr. Oliver Antao was the main celebrant, assisted by a newly inaugurated priest who came down from Rome - Rev. Fr. Joseph D'Costa. Both Pillar Society priests, which was appropriate - SFX's very own order. The Goan Musicial Society Choir, performed on the day. It was the first day of Advent and the Gospel was read accordingly. The preacher, Rev Fr. D'Costa, in fiery tongue and very animated, described SFX's trials and tribulations - Goa should be prepared to receive Fr. D'Costa, who is very enthusiastic and fiery - surely, touched by the Holy Spirit. There were bookmarks distributed at the end of Mass, to celebrate, the G.O.A.'s Ruby Anniversary, in conjunction with the Feast day. Onwards, to the Hall, next door, for the celebrations and dance. The Directors were very welcoming and from the onset this created a comfortable setting ! The Disco was very good , Nite Life - Xavier Alfonso, who gave us non stop dancing and variety to boot. One woman was trying to teach Fr. Oliver the Cha cha cha, which he accomplished pretty well! I am so glad, that the G.O.A. has kept up the tradition of holding SFX's feast day celebrations, which in fact, was first started by them many years ago. I remember in the dire days, of rebellion, during my term of Office, when all were deserting ! One of our Directors was telling us to cancel our function, as she was having one in South London. The loyal Directors categorically said no and carried on. Many to this day remember the event as one of the best SFX's celebrations ever. There was free snacks provided and the music was, vintage Billy Vaughn. I was asked about the loss that we made at the SFX do, at an A.G.M. - par for the course for some members. I told them there was no loss - what about, how much we paid for the disco ? Made me smile - I was now in the big league, even though the music was provided F.O.C. by me! Madam Director, has since been kicked out of the committee at her Church. The G.O.A. has survived another day, to continue the long tradition. We had a very enjoyable SFX celebration only to be marred, at the end, by one drunk who was f' ing and blinding, at my wife. There was a Director present, who asked the man to move on, to no avail. If people can't behave themselves, I think the Directors should take these people to task. I am very sure, if it had been me, who had transgressed, there would have been no leniency. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------