Year: 2009 (Page 4 of 8)

SUNDAY 26TH JULY 2009

The day of the long-awaited Goan Festival finally dawned – with the forecast of rain to come.  It did not however hold back the crowds who came in their thousands from all corners of the UK and even overseas, to Archbishop Lanfranc School – Croydon, Surrey.  With the number of food stalls, no one could complain about the choice or variety or for that matter, the homely taste which was washed down with a nice drink in the hand.  And chat they did – some having met friends and relatives after a long time.  The mass in the packed hall was concelebrated by seven priests headed by the Goan Chaplain, Fr Francis Rosario SFX.  It is always a pleasure to hear the young musicians and the vibrant choir, ably coordinated by Gregg Carvalho.  There was no end of entertainment during the Festival – be it lively music from popular bands or disco, or staged items from the many hardworking Goan cultural organisations.  Even the children were catered for with fairground rides, ice cream and face painting and the opportunity to learn the traditional Lancers dance.

Plaudits must go to Herbert Fernandes, Festival Chairman and the many volunteers who freely gave of their time and energy much before, during and after the event to ensure that things went smoothly. For the first time, there were no complaints about the queues for the ladies’ as additional luxury trailer toilets had been installed.  And the rain – well, the umbrellas were raised only at the end of the Festival – and it enabled the organisers to clean and clear the grounds in good time!  Yes, it was a well-organised event, with all those who attended already looking forward to repeating the experience next year!

By Anita Rebello

Brenda Abranches from Mombasa, Kenya is is urgent need of funds to pay for a major operation that her husband Oliver has just had to undergo.  Oliver is now in Intensive Care and is seriously ill.

An extract from an email from Brenda is given below.  If anybody would like to help her, please feel free to do so.  If you wish us to send the money to her in one large amount, please contact: Bernie Gracias on 020 8723 1322.

“On Thursday 9.7.09 a man rang me saying he had a  transfer for me of KES 76,750/- .  He seemed very faint on the mobile.  I asked him from whom it was and he said he did not know.  I took it that he was calling from Diamond Trust Nairobi.   Then he said he was transferring the money to Msa and he would check with me the next day.  He called again and told me to confirm receipt from DTB Msa.  I did , and they said they received it.  I asked who the sender was and they said they did not know.  Then the man rang later and I confirmed receipt.   I asked him again who the sender was but he kept saying he did not know.   Then, in a very official voice, he just told me to take it as coming from Jesus.  I had no more words to say. If it is a remittance sent by one of you, I thank you so much.  Otherwise ,  thank you Jesus for being with me and caring for my needs. God has given me a lot of strength and I know He will not abandon me.

I would be so thankful if you could raise some funds from your friends.

Correspondent bank:  Standard Chartered bank, 27-28 Clements Lane, London EC4N 7AP
cort code:  60 91 04
Account No    12548305
Swift code:    SCBLGLB2L

Beneficiary bank:   Diamond Trust Bank Limited, Mombasa Branch
Swift Code:   DTKEKENA

You should also enquire about Moneygram  which is much better than Western Union and cheaper.   Need to know  the name of sender:
My name :  Brenda Dorothy Abranches            and  the NUMBER of the remittance.
It shouild be sent to MoneyGram,  Diamond Trust Bank, Moi Avenue, Mombasa.

Thanks so much again and will keep you informed.

BRENDA