Xit-Koddi - Nov 2013

Feast of St. Francis Xavier and Young Goans Club.

Goans in Bahrain are very fortunate to be in a country that has religious freedom. We should also gratefully remember the early Goans who worked here facing many difficulties which we do not face now. They left a legacy and tradition for us, namely, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier (SFX).

The celebration of the feast was started over 60 years ago by a small group of Goans which later formed the Young Goans Club (YGC) with SFX as its patron saint. Since then, Goans in Bahrain, whether members of YGC or not, joined to joyfully celebrate the feast on December 3, every year at Sacred Heart Church (SHC). The festivities received a boost when Fr. Felicio Diniz, a Goan priest, took over as parish priest of SHC in 1989 and started the concelebrated Mass of the feast of SFX in Konkani which was offered by the YGC over the years. The club paid most of the expenses of this celebration at the church, but had no say in either the liturgy or the collection of funds which remained under the church.

A couple of years back, certain elements toyed with the idea of celebrating this feast at the church level, and ending a 60 year-old tradition. Senior members of the Goan community and YGC committee managed to successfully explain the history of this feast to the last two parish priests of  SHC and retained this age old tradition. This year, as the feast was approaching, advice to the SHC came from Bishop Camillo Ballin, to celebrate the feast at the Parish level, and not by YGC. Unfortunately, it is learnt that one of the Goans wrote to the Bishop against the club celebrating this feast. Attempts by the Goan Community to convince the Bishop of our tradition   have failed. The feast of SFX, this year will be led by the Konkani Community of Sacred Heart Church.

For the last 60 years, it did not matter much to many, who offered the feast Mass of SFX, Goans simply enjoyed this convenience of devotion to our Goencho Saib in Bahrain. However, to maintain and follow this tradition is  a respect to the Goans of yesteryears, who started this devotion in Bahrain. We also see it as a way of strengthening our identity under the only registered institution of Goans - The YGC. And above all, we must avoid dividing the community in religious matters. This year, as the novenas of SFX are in progress at SHC, Goans seem to be very hurt and unhappy with the turn of events of this festivity and that the image of Goans has taken a beating. ‘Tumche modem ekvott nam’ is what is being said.

We, at Xit-Koddi, feel that this is just a bad leaf in the history of Goans in Bahrain and hope that better sense will prevail among all sections of our community and look forward to see them all united under St. Francis Xavier as one big family of Goans in Bahrain, in the years to come.

Happy Feast of St. Francis Xavier To All.

= GR Crasto  

Annual Day Of Young Goans Club: The Young Goans Club will celebrate its annual day on December 5, at the Sea Shell Hotel in Adliya. The evening begins at 8 p.m with a DJ in attendance. Members who have updated their membership can meet up, dine and dance the night away, says an circular issued by the club. Christmas Tree party for members’ children will also be held on the same day. Members are urged to fill up the registration forms for their children up to the age of 12, and submit to the club office at the latest by December 3. For more details contact mobile no. 39659539.

Christmas Fellowship: Christmas fellowship of the Konkani Community of the Sacred Heart Church (KCSHC) will be held on December 6 from 11.30 a.m onwards at the Our Lady Of Arabia Hall of Sacred Heart Church. The event will feature Konkani carols and a variety program of skits, dances and songs. Festive lunch will be served and meal coupons are availalbe with members of the KCSHC.

Carol Singing Competition: A carol singing competition as part of the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of Sacred Heart Church is scheduled for December 17. The competition, which is open to parish groups, will be held at the Our Lady of Arabia Hall from 6.30 p.m onwards. Registration forms are availalbel at the parish office. Entrance is free for parishioners. 

Michelle Fernandes(Kuwait) Congratulations Gabriel Crasto and team on your 3rd Anniversary of Xit-Koddi. May God bless all of you abundantly. It is nice to see this newsletter bringing together Bahrain Goans as well as other Goans all over together every month. All the very best.

Manuel Fernandes (Bahrain): Xit- Koddi masikachea vorsukie dobajea nimtan amchim porbim. Ank boro zala. Fudarakui Bahrain Goykaranchi Xit-Koddi hech baxen seva korteli mhunn ast dhortam. Borem magun.

Clifford Correia (Bahrain): Congratulations Crasto for your dedicated service to keep the community together with your Xit-Koddi.

Menino Fernandes (Bahrain):Porbim Crasto Bab tuca ani tujea sangateank, tumcho moladik vaur anikui porzolum ani Xit-Koddi-echo pormol sounsarank fankarunk moje anvdde.

Portuguese Passport and Goans: A section of the press recently published reports that the Portuguese embassy in India has recommended to its government that the government end the policy of granting nationality to Goan residents born before December 20, 1961, and their descendants to improve bilateral ties between the two countries and avoid legal disputes over dual citizenship.

However, according to a report in the Herald daily of Goa, the Ambassador of Portugal to India, Jorge Roza De Oliveira, has denied that there is a move on the part of his government to change Portuguese nationality laws that apply to Goans and people from Daman and Diu. He further said that recent media reports suggesting this, were incorrect. Though this has come as a huge relief to thousand of eligible Goans who are in the process of obtaining Portuguese passports, many are closely following the cases against two MLA’s of Goa – Caitu and Ticlo - in relation to their Portuguse nationality. For more news on this subject, visit:                          http://www.goanews.com/blogs_disp.php?bpid=756