Xit-Koddi - Apr 2014

A Request To Our Readers.

Xit-Koddi, which has been published monthly since November 2010, is a compilation of news about Goans settled in Bahrain, and their activities, as also news from Goa that might be of interest to Goans abroad.

We are constantly on the lookout for ways and means to make the newsletter more relevant and interesting for your readers, and would welcome any ideas you might have in this regard.

We have launched a new column ‘Reminiscences of Bahrain’. We invite past Bahrain residents of our community, who are now settled in different parts of the globe, to contribute some of their experiences while they were here. I hope they will be able to find some time to help us in this matter, and I would be most grateful if they could send us their thoughts for the new column we are starting from this month.

Any other suggestions that you might have for improvement of our newsletter would be most welcome. I might add in conclusion that the newsletter is not a commercial venture, and is brought out on a purely voluntary basis. 

With warm regards,

= GR Crasto 

Young Goans Club: The annual general body meeting of Young Goans Club, failed to find enthusiasm from members for the post of the president. Hence, past president Francis Correia was forced to remain in the chair. However, it was heartening to see a few new faces on the managing committee for the year 2014.  

The induction of the new committee was held at the Papillon Restaurant in Manama with Easter Celebrations on April 20. Easter goodies were distributed to the children of members during the evening that also featured games and an entertainment programme. Fr. Anthony D’Mello, Assistant Parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, who will be leaving Bahrain shortly, was also felicitated during the celebrations. DJ Jaden and Danby were in attendance. The YGC Executive Committee Members seen in the above picture are: Seated from left : David D’Costa (Treasurer), Roland Varella (General Secretary), Francis Correia (President), Godwin D’Cruz (Vice President) and Francis Vaz (Sports Secretary). Standing from left : Terence D’Costa ( Asst. Treasurer), Marshall D’Souza (Committee Member), Suzana Alphonso (Committee Member), Chris Noronha (Asst. General Secretary), Savio D’Souza (Entertainment Secretary) and Vally Fernandes (Committee Member)

Tiatr: Well known comedian of the Konkani stage based in Bahrain, Jr. Luis Antony has teamed up with Claude Farrier to present a Konkani musical show in Bahrain on June 19. The show titled Bahrainche Goykar will be held at the Baan Saeng Thai Restaurant in Adliya at 8.00 p.m. The show will feature, for the first time in Bahrain, Goa’s topmost melody singer Lawry Travasso, and by public demand, the Dubai Trio of Edwin-Anthony-Manuxin will perform for the second time in Bahrain. The show is organized under the patronage of Young Goans Club and more details can be had at mobile nos: 39280825 or 39822516.

Fr. Anthony D’Mello – Mogacho Adeus !

He was born in Bahrain, did his primary schooling at the Indian School in Bahrain, completed his studies in India and returned to Bahrain to serve as assistant parish priest of the very church, where he had been baptized. That is Fr. Anthony D’Mello’s life in a nutshell.

One of four brothers and a sister, Fr. Anthony is the son of Joaquim Inacio and Philomena D’Mello of Pilerne, Goa. His father worked with the Gulf Aviation Company for several years before returning to Goa in the early 80’s, due to ill health. Fr. Anthony joined Lourdes Convent, Saligao, on his return from Bahrain, completed his higher secondary school at St. Xavier’s, Mapusa, and graduated in Philosophy at the Rachol Seminary. He later joined the Capuchin Seminary of St. Fidelis Friary, at Farangipet in Mangalore. He was ordained a priest on 12th May 2003.

Until his posting to Sacred Heart Church (SHC) in Bahrain in December 2011, he served at Monte de Guirim as a Procurator and Treasurer for the Capuchin Province in Goa.

Fr. Anthony is the Spiritual Director of Konkani Community, Lectors and Legion of Mary at SHC. The large number of members of the Konkani-speaking congregation of Bahrain have benefited from the presence of Fr. Anthony, as there are many devotees who feel comfortable to seek advice and discuss personal problems in their mother tongue. From his busy schedule at the church, Fr. Anthony makes time to provide moral support to many social and sporting events of the Goan community in Bahrain.

Xit-Koddi asked Fr. Anthony for his views on Goans in Bahrain. He was quick to respond that the large number of Goans on the island makes him feel he is not far away from Goa. In answer to another question, he said it was a wonderful experience to serve at the vibrant parish of SHC. This has given me an opportunity to meet Catholics from various parts of the globe and to learn about their religious traditions, he concluded.

Fr. Anthony, who loves music, reading and football, will return to India by mid-May to continue his ministry in Goa.  Xit-Koddi joins Bahrain Goans in wishing him many more fruitful years in the vineyard of the Lord.