For all humanity

BY JOE SINASAC
Re-printed from The Catholic Register
More details

At this year's Midnight Mass we read Luke's famous nativity account in which the shepherds in the field first hear the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ from an angel: "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people." Christians recognize that it was indeed good news, but sometimes it is easy to forget it was for "all the people."

More important was the form of this "good news." It was a completely unthreatening and helpless infant, wrapped in the swaddling clothes of poverty and powerlessness. With His arrival, as the angelic host sang, came glory to God and peace on earth.

Christmas, our annual recollection of this Incarnation, carries with it this year a heavy burden. In recent years - in fact since Sept. 11, 2001 - religion has come to appear in many eyes as a motivator of violence, a breeding ground for hatred and suspicion toward those who are different.
Those not religious themselves have found more and more reason to argue that religion should be a private affair to be kept out of the public square. This has sometimes led to silly overreactions at this time of year as well-meaning institutions and companies decide it would be more inclusive to strip Christmas of Christ and to simply celebrate an inoffensive "holiday season."

In response, Christians have reacted with at times angry exasperation and accuse commerce and government of violating their religious freedom by catering to minorities.

Both the action and reaction have little to do with Christ. In fact, it must puzzle recent immigrants of other faiths greatly when they observe our annual frenzy of consumption, seemingly characterized by mammoth advertising campaigns for cell phones and big screen TVs. They likely sympathize with the Christian critics of the whitewashed holidays but recoil at the Scrooge-like spirit they can display.

We shouldn't begrudge the festivities and gift-giving. In their own way, they celebrate something most people may not even understand, but still recognize as that buried pearl, that priceless gift to the world.

The child Jesus reminds us that true religious faith is not about power or even believing. It is about loving. We share the good news because it is, in fact, good; it is something that people living in the midst of a cruel world would be happy to hear. It can bring joy to their lives and fill their hearts with warmth and peace. By its very nature, it is not something that
can be force-fed to others.

Jesus is God made human; as such the infant Jesus represents God made vulnerable and helpless, reaching out in love and hoping to be loved in return. It is why God brings peace and why Christianity should be the antithesis of violence.

So on this most special day, we join the angels in praying peace and goodwill to all the earth.

News Clips from Goa
 

PICTURE OF THE DAY



Famed Goan musician Babush Santana, who is a drums wizard, shifts to the violin and trumpet intermittently during concerts. Here Santana is seen playing a guitar at the "Liberate Your Jazz" concert organised by Trancemedia at Gonsalves House on December 19, 2006, evening

Eminent Goans Feted

Dr Alfredo Bruto da Costa, former Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Portugal.

Dr Narana Coisorro, former Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament and present President of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Lisbon.

Fitz de Souza, a freedom fighter, colleague of Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyatta and Dy Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya. Was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Puraskar by the President of India in 2004.

Justice Wolfango Dourado, former Attorney General of Tanzania and Chief Justice of the High Court of Zanzibar.

Prof Damodar Sardessai, Emeritus Professor of History, University of California, USA.

Patricia Rozario, eminent opera singer knighted by the Queen of England with the OBE. Awarded the Asian Women's Award for Achievement in Arts.

Leslie de Melo, artist, sculptor and painter, recipient of several awards from the Ministry of Arts, Government of Austria.

Neville Rocha, chairman and CEO of the transnational corporation Fijutsu, Australia, and an acknowledged authority on IT and Telecommunications.

GLOBAL GOANS CONVENTION FROM January 3-5

PANJIM: Goans, who have risen to eminent positions in their respective fields around the world, will receive recognition from the state government and will be presented with the Global Goans Achievement Award during the Global Goans Convention to be held in January 2007. Speaking at a press conference, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro, said that the convention would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister and would be held from January 3 to 5. Foreign diplomats and some of India's ambassadors and heads of departments of the Ministry of External Affairs concerned with Gulf countries, West Asia and West Europe will also address the convention and interact with participants. The plenary sessions will be held at Hotel Cidade de Goa while the interactive sessions will be held at the Secretariat, Porvorim. Registration can also be done online on the website www.globalgoans.org.in [GT]

No GIMmick! All selected, salary Rs.4-9 lakh

PANJIM: Ranked as one of the top 20 premier B-schools of India, Goa Institute of Management at Ribandar is on Cloud Nine following lucrative job offers to all the successful 116 students of the 2007 batch. Some of them will take home a salary of Rs.9 lakh a year. This year the companies from the IT, Consulting, Financial Services, Banking, Telecom, Automotive and other sectors recruited the students. Peter D'Lima, a member of the Board of Governs of GIM, stated, "A total of 193 offers were made to 116 students. The satisfying factor was students got what they wanted along with the highest salary." [GT]

Goa: Next Al Qaeda target
Dated 2006-12-20

In a travel advisory on its Hebrew language website, posted on December 13, 2006, Israel's Foreign Ministry said: "Within the framework of Al Qaeda's terror threats in India, there is now a concrete threat focusing on the Goa region where multitudes of visitors, including Israelis, gather in late December. Israel's Counter-Terrorism Authority has recommended that Israeli citizens stay away from sites in Goa popular with Westerners and Israelis over the next few weeks."

On December 15, 2006, DEBKA, a well-known non-governmental Israeli think-tank, which disseminates information and analyses relating to terrorism, posted the following comments on its website: "Information has reached Jerusalem that Al Qaeda is in an advanced stage of preparing coordinated attacks on the big, end-of-year seasonal parties held by Western and Israeli tourists in the Indian province. Israeli travelers are advised to cancel their trips to Goa or at least stay away from the big parties. Some 4,000 Israelis have booked flights to India for the winter season. They will be joining the thousands living there. A standing terror warning is still in force for Egyptian Sinai and Turkey."

 Obituary
 

DEATH
Reverend Fr. Roberto Guilhermie Fernandes
Bammon Vaddo, Siolim

Ex-Principal St. Francis Xavier School, Siolim Goa
Ex-Chaplain of Nossa Senhora das Dores Chapel, Siolim Goa



Born: 30/04/1919           Died: 16/08/2006
 

Beloved son of the late Antonio Honorato and Anna Maria Fabiana, Brother/Brother-in law of the late John Vincent/Luzia Fernandes (UK), late Justina/late Jeremias Francisco Noronha, Uncle of Sophia/late Dr Lawrence Lobo (UK), Dr Xavier/Angela Noronha, Blanche/Domnick Fernandes, Agnes/Joe Rocha, late Leocadia Fernandes (Canada), Joe/Eileen (Ireland), Richard/Ilona (UK), Maria (France), Savio (UK).Sadly missed by all RIP. Condolences to slobo@clara.co.uk

People Places and Things
 

Reading List for Christmas Holiday Season

A Bibliography Of Books On Goa & Goans.
Prepared by: John Nazareth
Sponsored by the: Goan Overseas Association ~ Toronto
For the: Panjim Pavilion at the Metro Toronto Caravan
Extended By: JJD'S of GOACOM ~ October 1996
http://goacom.org/culture/books/bks.html

PRE-PORTUGUESE CULTURE OF GOA
By Prof. George Moraes
Published in the Proceedings of the
International Goan Convention http://www.goacom.com/community/associations/goaont/convention/moraes.htm

To Cherish and to Share: The Goan Christian Heritage –
Paper presented at the 1991 Conference on Goa at the University of Toronto by (late)John Correia Afonso S.J.
http://www.goacom.com/culture/religion/gch/

INTERNATIONAL GOAN CONVENTION
AUGUST 7 -21, 1988 ~ TORONTO
Organized by The Goan Overseas Association
http://www.goacom.org/community/associations/goaont/convention/index.htm

The Goan Community in Canada
http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/ecp/content/goans.html
Paper by : Professor Narendra Wagle of U of T

Origins

Although Goans have come to Canada from several parts of South Asia and East Africa, their identity is defined by association with the small territory of Goa. Only 3,700 square kilometres in size, Goa is located on the western Malabar coast of India along the Arabian Sea between the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is distinct from other lands on the Indian subcontinent in that for over four and a half centuries it was a colony of Portugal and as such was known in the language of that country as Estado da India (“The State of India”).

The history of Goa, a rich trading post that until 1327 had been ruled by various Hindu dynasties and thereafter by the Muslim rulers of Mogul India, changed dramatically when in 1510 a Portuguese fleet under Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived in the city. Within a decade, the Muslim ruling elite was eliminated and the city was transformed into a major centre of commerce and trade between Europe and Portugal’s extensive colonial empire in southeast Asia. Led by the missionary work of St Francis Xavier, the local Hindu population was converted to Roman Catholicism, and in 1557 Goa became the seat of an archbishopric at the top of a Catholic hierarchy spread throughout all Portuguese colonies in this part of the world. Despite frequent attacks by Portugal’s overseas rival, the Dutch, the attempts of the neighbouring Maharashtrian rulers to annex the territory, and its gradual economic decline beginning in the second half of the seventeenth century, Goa was to remain a Portuguese colony until 1961–62, when it was seized by India.

Read more: http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/ecp/content/goans.html

55 Plus Goan Association Annual Christmas Dance

'OH WHAT A NIGHT ... IT REALLY WAS.....SUCH A NIGHT!!!....................

“Jollywood Models” at 55PGA Dance

Our 55 Plus Goan Association once more "set the stage" and created a warm welcome to our members and guests (250 in total) , who attended our Annual Christmas dance on the l5th December, which was held at the Oasis Convention Centre, on Lakeshore in Mississauga. The simple but classic decor and attractive Christmas centre pieces,which were donated by Rose and Dom D'Souza, together with a complimentary bottle of Red and White wine at each table,created a warm ambiance all round!

The formal part of the evening began with the President's speech thanking all members and introducing the executive committee and welcoming everyone for their presence that evening. Then our Social Secretary,Mrs. Juliet Rebello delivering her message of thanks, and introducing her sub-committee and thanking them in turn for their hard work throughout the year and especially for their ongoing support and commitment.

The evening started with the Grace which was sung to the tune of "Edelweiss" followed by a scrumptious sit down four course dinner, followed by a delectable dessert and coffee.

Music was provided by D.J. Anthony -who entertained everyone 'ALL NITE LONG"....to a variety of music!! ‘…………….

Read More

TEGSA’s YULETIDE SERENADE - 1st Dec 2006.



Ho! Ho! Ho! TEGSA helped us get into the spirit of Christmas with a fantastic evening of fun and enjoyment. Santa was there with his SACK full of goodies. A record crowd of over 200 shared in the festivities.

The evening started off with a traditional Goan meal followed with Hot Apple Cider. Vendors sold authentic Goan sweets and pickles.

The entertainment got off to a flying start with performances by the well known Canorient Choir and a group of TEGSA members and some young talent who specially formed a choir for the Yuletide Serenade. All joined in the singing of Christmas Carols.

All wanted to dance more to the live music played by - FOCUS and DJ GODFATHER .

The performers including the Band members gave their services free of charge and TEGSA thanks them all.

What a wonderful evening!

A special thanks to Vicki D’Souza, TEGSA’s Social Secretary.

The Desi News-Grant’s Community Achievers AWARDS Gala would not have been possible without the help and inputs of these wonderful, dedicated professionals
From: http://www.e-desinews.com/desiwasthere.html

The guest list read like the Who’s Who of the South Asian community. Over 300 movers and shakers, doctors and lawyers, bankers and entrepsreneurs, actors and activists, fashionistas and politicians attended the Desi News-Grant’s Community Acheivers Awards Gala on Sunday, November 12 at Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.

As one guest said, "This is a gala to remember!"

Welcoming guests, introducing award recipients, and keeping everything moving smoothly at the Desi News-Grant’s Community Achievers Awards Gala was Cletus Castelino.


(Master of Ceremonies Cletus Castelino, with Nasreen Shah)

Cletus is well known in the comm-unity and specially to Desi News readers as the "credit counsellor with a heart". Over a long career, he has helped many people recover from difficult financial debt situations. Cletus is an mba from iim Ahmedabad, with a brilliant track record with blue chip companies in India, the Middle East and Canada. He holds Bible study classes along with his wife Angela and daugh-ter Nicole in his spare time.

• Cletus Castelino can be reached at 905-848-0006.