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On a cold Saturday, December 1st, the Friends of St. Francis Xavier celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier for the 7th year in the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Mississauga.

The Celebrant was Monsignor Terence D’Souza, the founding Pastor of the Church, which serves the largest parish in the Archdiocese. Seven thousand parishioners attend the seven masses each Sunday. The Church which was consecrated in 1999 is being expanded to accommodate 1200 persons, with the addition of more space for the parish hall, meeting rooms, and offices. The renovations are expected to be completed in early 2008 with the blessing taking place on February 2, 2008, the twenty-first anniversary of the opening of the Parish.

The Solemn Procession, in the Church grounds, carrying the relic of the Saint, was not held this year due to construction work. High Mass was preceded with a procession down the aisle, with the Knights of Columbus as the honour guard, and past presidents holding the canopy over the relic, carried by the 2007 President, Walter Hayde, followed by Msgr. D’Souza, and the Friends of St. Francis Xavier. A fourteen-member choir, led by Romeo Dos Remedios, sang the hymns and Mass, in Konkani, reminiscent of the services in Bom Jesu, Goa, where the relics of the Saint are enshrined.

In his homily, Msgr. D’Souza, paid tribute to the Saint, the greatest Apostle since St. Paul, and the legacy of faith he left us. Msgr. D’Souza also noted that as he has reached the age of 75, he has submitted his resignation to the Archbishop, as required by Canon Law. This would take effect in June 2008, when the new appointments in the Archdiocese take effect.
He paid special tribute to Lazarus Pereira, who instituted the celebration of the Feast and called on him and succeeding Presidents to come up to receive special tokens of appreciation.
These include:
- Lazarus Pereira, first president
- Francis D’Costa (in absentia)
- Tim de Mello (in absentia)
- Francis Fernandes
- Francis D’Souza
- Felix Remedios
- Walter Hayde, President 2007

Mathew Rodrigues of the Knights of Columbus #12067, and John J. D’Souza also received tokens of appreciation.

In his concluding address Msgr. D’Souza reminded those present of the obligations we have to pass on our faith and religious culture to new generations. He noted that an International Goan Convention was being planned for July 2008. He played an active role in the convention held in 1988, and was host to the late Cardinal Cordeiro from Karachi. The 2008 Convention he said is an initiative all Goans should support.

Walter Hayde in wishing those attending A Happy Feast, recounted the traditions of the past seven years, and the legacy of faith and guidance set by Moses, Our Lord Jesus, and St. Francis. He also noted that he was the first President from within the Parish itself.
A message of greetings sent by the Council of the City of Mississauga, by Mayor, Hazel McCallion was read to the gathering.

Click here:  letter from Mayor

In concluding, Walter noted ” …if you see a person without a smile, give him or her one of yours !”

The popular fair of Goan food held in the hall each year was omitted due to the renovations taking place . Instead Walter Hayde provided attendees with coffee, tea, and treats, sponsored by his REMAX Company.

The distinctive Mass brochure, the 7th of it’s kind, each with a unique cover was done by Lazarus Pereira.

The Choir included:
Lead: Romeo Dos Remedios
Guitar: Russell D’Souza
Organ: Nikita Dos Remedios
Violin: Alexandra Syvlan
Singers: Louisa Fernandes, Yolanda Gracias, Belinda Dos Remedios, Myra Fernandes, Blanche de Souza, Risa Gracias, Agnelo Gracias, Rhio Gracias, and Clare de Sa.

The Friends of St. Francis Xavier thank the Knights of Columbus Council 12067,for providing the honour guard for the 2007 Feast celebration, and for the last six years.
A short account of the Council, and the names of members follows.

Knights of Columbus Council 12067

St. Francis Xavier Council #12067 celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Saturday, November 3rd. This vibrant council, 217 members strong was formed on October 9th, 1997 by Charter Grand Knight Mathew Rodrigues and Chaplain of the council, Monsignor Terence F. D’Souza.

The Honour Guard was provided by the 4th Degree Knights from Father Gregory Kelly Assembly who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The 4th Degree is the visible arm of the Knight of Columbus in the Church and community.

Members in attendance:

EIGHT YEAR OLD IVANA FURTADO RETAINS WORLD UNDER 8 CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

PANJIM: Chess prodigy, Ivana Furtado, wrote another chapter in the annals of world chess when she retained the Under-8 title at the World Youth Chess Championship, which concluded on November 28 at Antalay, Turkey. The Goan girl, thus, became the first Indian to win successive world titles after drawing her last round match against a higher ranked opponent from Kazakhistan, Zhansaya Abdumalik, who was the 4th seed here. Ivana collected 9 points from a maximum possible 11, while Zhansaya (8) finished fourth behind Azerbainan girls Gunay Mamadzada and Aydan Hojatova, both of whom had 8.5 points each.

The Goan girl had won the title last year in Batumi, Georgia. Considering the fact that the Russians and Chinese were were in Turkey in full force, Ivana's second World Championship can be rated as even more commendable than the first one. Dronacharya awardee Raghunandan Gokhale advised Ivana to use the Pirc Defence for the second consecutive time in two days and she won a pawn in the opening itself. Thereafter, she gradually outplayed her opponent to come up with a winning position. [GT]

Excerpt from
http://wycc2007.tsf.org.tr/component/option,com_turnuva

WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 (8G)
Organizer(s) : FIDE - Turkish Chess Federation
Town : Limra Hotel - Kemer / Antalya
Date : 2007/11/18 To 2007/11/28

Final Ranking

Dr. Quincy Almeida Wins Prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prize.
November 23, 2007
WATERLOO

A Wilfrid Laurier University scientist who is working on physical exercise as an alternative to drug therapy for people with Parkinson's disease has won a prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prize.

Quincy Almeida is one of five Ontario researchers whose achievements are being recognized this year, John Milloy, minister of training, colleges and universities, said in an announcement yesterday.

"These five individuals represent some of the best and brightest researchers in our province," Milloy said in a statement. The awards, valued at $20,000, are given to researchers in the early stages of their careers who plan to continue post-doctoral studies at an Ontario university. They're named after John Polanyi of the University of Toronto, who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Almeida, director of the Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre at WLU, said he considers the prize "Ontario's equivalent of the Nobel Prize."He said his work is seeing remarkable results in a short period.

"We're getting very interesting results in terms of what needs to be the direction Canada and the world should take in developing rehabilitation for Parkinson's and lots of other movement disorders," Almeida, 34, said yesterday.

Among his projects, Almeida launched a rehabilitation program last year for people with Parkinson's. The program was aimed at improving people's balance, gait and co-ordination so they can live more independently and actively.

Almeida's goal is to establish exercise recommendations for Canadians who have Parkinson's disease. The program showed there are some exercises that will improve strength, and heart and blood pressure, but they do not change Parkinson's symptoms.

Now Almeida is focusing on those exercises that actually show improvement of symptoms, such as balance loss, stiffness and slowness of movement. In the next phase of the study, patients will do those exercises over a 24-week period.

Almeida has been travelling to national conferences in the last two weeks to show the results of his work. He is demonstrating a tool he has developed to evaluate changes in symptoms. The test battery will become an international standard and a better way of measuring change, he said.

Laurier's Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre was established in the former Northdale public school on Hickory Street in Waterloo. It's the first facility of its kind in Canada to focus on Parkinson's, which affects more than 100,000 Canadians.

The centre also tests state-of-the-art tools and inventions from around the world to see what impact they have on patients' health. Other prize-winning researchers are from Carleton University, York University, University of Toronto and Queen's University.

(Quincy is the son of Magneric & Odette Almeida of Mississauga, Ontario)

Kristina DoRosario named Most Outstanding (Field Hockey)
Player of the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Philadelphia.
Nov. 7, 2007

AMHERST, MASS. - Senior Kristina DoRosario (Oakville, Ontario) was named UMass/Dinn Bros. Athlete of the Week after an outstanding weekend in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Philadelphia. DoRosario was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Tournament after helping lead UMass to its first title in six years. DoRosario was also named First Team All- Conference by the Atlantic 10. In the semifinal win over Richmond, DoRosario assisted on both UMass goals. DoRosario was also the Minutewomen's leader on defense throughout the tournament shutting down both Richmond and Saint Joseph's leading scorers. DoRosario and her team are NCAA bound and will be headed to Storrs, Connecticut on Saturday to face Big East Champion No.4-seed UConn.
(Kristina is the daughter of Clement and Joan DoRosario of Oakville, Ontario)

YULETIDE SERENADE

Overwhelmed by TEGSA’s success of earlier shows it was not surprising that the Yuletide event held on 30th November was “sold out”. The Hall was filled to capacity as members arrived early to have a full evenings entertainment.

The evening started off with an authentic Goan meal of Sorpotel, Sannas, Pulao, Roast Turkey and gravy, Mixed Vegetables and for dessert a bag containing Goan sweets and a slice of fruit cake. This we enjoyed. Tea and coffee was also available.

Vendors were on hand to sell their delicious Christmas sweets, snacks and Goa sausages. They sold out fast.

And then the celebrations commenced. Befitting the meal, Romeo on his guitar sang a comedic melody “Sorpotel” and we joined in the chorus. This was followed by the renowned UPPER CANADA CHORDSMEN who performed ACAPPELLA in a four part harmony. Back by popular demand were Jennifer and Ritchie, the well known and acclaimed vocalist and musician who led the audience in the singing of Christmas carols. Needless to say TEGSA members did us proud.

HO! HO! HO! Santa was on his way. And we couldn’t wait. After giving out goodies, he asked us all to form a circle and to follow his dance routines as he led us into “Move it to the Right, Move it to the Left” and Y.M.C.A. It was hilarious. The dance area was jam packed but Santa had to leave as he had forgotten to bring his suspenders. Santa was none other than our popular member “POMPEI”.

Dancing continued with our vocalist Jennifer and D.J. Ritchie as we given an hours extension. Our sincere thanks to Priscilla and Ben Pinto and to Yvonne and Felix Remedios who each donated a BIBIQUE (Santa and Rudolph). These were raffled off to defray some of the expenses.

Later, compliments of Francis D’Souza we were treated to a warm glass of apple cider. What a great prelude to our Christmas festivities! A Big Thank you to Our Social Secretary, Vicki D’Souza, her sub-committee, the TEGSA Executive and the many volunteers who help make our events so much fun.

And finally, thanks to all those who donated non perishable items which will be passed on to the Food Bank.