Christmas Festivities in Toronto

The 2005 Christmas Season in Toronto started in early December with host of events taking place all over the city and reflecting the festive spirit of the Goan Community.

Events included:

-December 3, Friends of St. Francis Xavier celebration of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier in the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mississauga. (click for article #1)
-December 3, Feast of St. Francis Xavier celebration with an evening mass and dance organized by the Sons & Daughters of the Goan Tailor’s Society, continuing a tradition established by their forebears.
-December 4, a Sunday celebration of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier by the Goan Overseas Association, patron of the organization.
-December 8, Goan Delight – Carol Service and evening social organized by the Toronto East Goan Seniors Association. (TEGSA)(click for article #2)
-December 17, Christmas Dinner Dance organized by TEGSA
-December 21, Christmas Party & sit down dinner. First event organized by the Steering Committee of the newly formed Fifty-Five Plus Goan Seniors Group, West GTA.
.(click for article #3)
 

Christmas Festivities in Toronto
FRIENDS OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER FEAST CELEBRATION

For the fifth consecutive year, on December 3, 2005, the Friends of St. Francis Xavier celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier in the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mississauga. The relic of the Saint was carried in solemn procession in the Church grounds followed by mass and a festive fair.

The 500 plus procession was headed by Vicki D’Souza, carrying the banner with a twenty strong honour guard by the Knights of Columbus. The relic was held by Feast President, Francis D’Souza, under a newly donated canopy, carried by the four past presidents, Lazarus Pereira, Francis D’Costa, Tim de Mello, and Francis Fernandes. Monsignor Terence D’Souza was the celebrant, with a 18 member Choir led by Romeo Remedios.

Newly enrolled members of the Friends of St. Francis Xavier wearing their red sashes followed the procession.

The mass congregation reflected Goans from all parts of the Greater Toronto Area, and members of the parish itself, many from other parts of the Catholic world.

In his closing address, Monsignor D’Souza made a strong plea, "cacut cor ", for the various Goan organizations to come together in good faith to resolve matters that are a source of divisiveness from the past, and forge a path based on respect and understanding.

The fair that followed in the church hall proved to be quite popular. Goan food and snacks were quickly snapped up by the lunchtime crowd. The Knights of Columbus provided refreshments for the thirsty. Entertainment was provided by a pro bono live band. Walter Hayde was emcee for the afternoon, promoting the raffle, and the many gift stalls and table sponsors.

Proceeds from the event will go for the completion of the distinctive stained glass window which will eventually extend the entire east side of the Church.

The year 2006 will mark the fifth centenary of the birth of the Saint. Special celebrations will be held in the Church in April 2006.
 

Christmas Festivities in Toronto
Toronto East Goan Seniors Association – Christmas Delight Event
By Netto Noronha

Christmas Delight that was held on December 8, 2005 at 140 Commander Banquet Hall from 6.30p.m -9.30p.m. was a big success. The friendly nudge helped members to come out and spread some Christmas Cheers among each other.

The entire evening was a time for celebration, lively spirits, Christmas blessings and most importantly thoughtful prayer. People experienced the true meaning of Advent and Christmas .'The Christmas Story' was eloquently delivered by Vicky D'Souza and Audrey Pereira.; Bosco Fernandes as usual got everyone into the cheerful festive mood with his musical acting talent . Along with him was Manny Sequeira on the Keyboard, Croydon D'Mello with his base guitar, Bruno Saldanha and Placido Madeira with the jingles and Christmas bells. Jean Andrade brought out the bestin all the people by directing them in the Carol singing session. There was a great feeling of Christmas Spirit.
The sale of Goan Christmas Treats added a traditional flavour. People were served Hot Apple Cider, Hot chocolate or coffee or tea . Delicious Snack plates were sold and everyone was very satisfied and had a great time
Members had fun playing rounds of bingo and trying their luck at the raffle tickets. A big thank you to the generous donors and helpers (Natty Viegas, Cecilia Gonsalves, Ann & Tony Fernandes, Elsa Saldanha, Dora Noronha, Bridget D’Souza)
 

Christmas Festivities in Toronto
FIFTY FIVE PLUS GOAN SENIORS GROUP - West GTA
2005 CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE

Members and guests of the newly formed Seniors Group enjoyed their very first event with a Dinner Dance on December 21, at the spacious Oasis Convention Centre in Mississauga. The event commenced at 6:30 p.m. and wound up at about 1:30 a.m.

In less than two months, Social Secretary Juliet Rebello, and Treasurer Francis Fernandes worked magic to organize the sit down dinner event which was attended by more than 250 persons. The function was a combined effort by the Steering Committee, who were delegated various duties to ensure its success.

Music was provided by DJ Patrick Correa, supplemented by the two piece band, "The Van Rossi's". The "Love to Dance" ballroom group, organized by Jackie Lucas and Muriel Lucas, gave a great performance of the Tango, Salsa, and latest popular dance moves. The numerous dance and raffle prizes showed the generosity and goodwill of the many sponsors for this new seniors group.

(Click on the images to enlarge)

South Asian community raises $2.3-M for hospital

Exerpts
By: Heather Ennis
From Brampton Guardian 12/16/05
http://www.northpeel.com/br/business/v-printbrampton/story/3221269p-3729606c.html
 

A recent fundraising effort over the airwaves led to a flood of donations for the William Osler Health Centre.
In seven days, Brampton's South Asian community raised $2.3 million for the hospital, nearly $1 million of it in the first 90 minutes alone."It truly was a tremendous outpouring of generosity from listeners in the Canadian Sikh community," said Maureen Flanagan Pool, WOHC director of development and new initiatives. "We had calls coming in from across the GTA and from as far away as London, Cambridge and Ottawa."
From Nov. 15 to 22, two dozen local radio stations-- mostly Punjabi-- dedicated their programs to raising money for construction of Brampton's new hospital. According to organizer Manjit Singh Sahota, a local radio personality and Osler foundation board member, there were individual donations as well as 70 room-naming gifts of $25,000 apiece. The local Sikh community has now drummed up more than $3.45 million of a $10-million pledge made earlier this year, when hospital leaders announced the emergency department at the new facility would be named after Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion.
The radio fundraiser-- called the Better Health Radiothon-- was set to coincide with the spiritual leader's birthday, and will likely become an annual event.