Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & Rome on the 19 - 30 March 2006

As we all recently experienced the joy of Christmas, many of us wonder what it would be like to see where Jesus was born and to follow in his footsteps. I would like to invite you and your family and friends this Lenten season to visit the Holy Land, which coincides with the Feast of St Joseph as well as the Feast of the Annunciation. In Rome, you will have an opportunity to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule).
For more information on this tour and to the detailed itinerary, please go to my website at www.payless2travel.net
If you have any questions, please call Richard D'Souza at 416 890 5022.

Toronto East Goan Seniors Association Christmas Dinner Dance - 2005

By : Netto Noronha

The Toronto East Goan Seniors Association (TEGSA) Christmas dance held on December 17,2005 was the final club activity of the year. The many accolades received testify to the very enjoyable and well organized occasion.

Full credit must obviously go to Elsie Fernandes and our committee who worked as a team to select the spacious and glamorous Macedonian Banquet Hall in Thorncliffe.

The sit-down meal with complimentary wines was universally acknowledged as excellent and the grace before meal was unique in the fact that every table had a recital that was sung together to praise and thank the Lord.

A huge new banner with our logo was unfurled and hung prominently on the main wall.

In welcoming members and guests, our President Claude Gomes narrated that we had completed two great years in which we had accomplished much, most notably the “Taste of Goa” in May of 2005. The membership grew from 250 to over 400 and the Association’s financial affairs were sound. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the members of the committee and the many volunteers for giving so much of themselves throughout the year and making the Christmas dance a sparkling success. The speech was deliberately short and sweet so that everyone could get on the floor and enjoy the yesteryear tunes of Fredrick’s one man band. The acoustics and choice selection of music were the ingredients that made this function one that will forever linger in our minds.

Emcee Hubert Pereira, always at his gregarious best, did well to keep the occasion moving smoothly while distributing the many prizes donated by the Club.

Response to the sale of raffle tickets was tremendous and the pleasantly high sum of money will be donated to the earthquake victims of India and Pakistan.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the Lancers, organized by Elsie Fernandes, performed by three teams, well choreographed by Alu/ Eva Carvalho and Antu/Elsa Saldanha. A standing ovation coupled with an encore clearly mesmerised the crowd.

The dance reluctantly ended with a giveaway of the beautiful centrepieces and mementos to everyone present.

We can now look forward to 2006 and especially the next Christmas Dance.