by Ms. Marianna Bach, Frankfurt Germany

Every year the Goan Association Germany e.V. throws a Christmas celebration for its members, their families and friends. This time the GAG community organised a pre event, which included a Christmas baking workshop for the youth. A week before the first advent they got together and with all the helping hands prepared some traditional Goan sweets eg. Neureos, Dodol and Kulkuls etc.

The baked goods were so popular that they got sold out at the Christmas party on 30th of November.

The party started at sharp 7 pm with a welcome speech by GAG President Mr. Ashly Carrasco thanking the committee members and everybody who helped at this occasion. He introduced the evening program and laid out future plans for the Goan association in Germany.

The first activity was a nativity play performed by the youth, it was accompained by Christmas carols sang by the Choir, specially put together for this occasion.

The program continued with a dance performance to a Medly of Popular Konkani Songs like Maria Pitache by Remo Fernandes. The dance Performers were Anita & Michael Mascarenhas, Serena DeMelo & Ashly Carrasco, Tyra Carrasco & Clarence Pereira, Veron Pereira-Simoes and Stenzel Mascarenhas. It was the icebreaker for the guests to hit the dancefloor and enjoy the music played by DJ Simoes & Simoes.

After heating up the dancefloor the food was warmed up in the kitchen and setup for buffet. Father Steven Forster, the Parish Priest of St. Leonhard and St. Mary's blessed the food and soon the guests lined up. The choice of dishes was enormous from pork sorpotel with saanas, traditional chicken curry or mixed vegetables and many more. Each dish was homemade by the members and tasted delicious.

Soon after everyone's stomachs were filled, Santa made a short appearance for the children and left a little present for them. The much anticipated raffle was kept for the end with a great selection of prizes to win. In the meantime dessert, coffee and cake was served.

All in all the Christmas party was very well organized with a lot of entertainment, good music and a delicious offering of food. All members, families and friends had a nice first advent get together.

Dev Borem Korum.

by Ms. Sylvia Klafki, Frankfurt Germany

On 1st of June 2019 the Goan Association Germany e.V. once again celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph Vaz at Kath. Church St. Christophorus, An den Drei Steinen 42, 60435 Frankfurt am Main (Preungesheim).

The celebration started at 12:00 local time with a High Mass celebrated by Father Peter of the Catholic Church, St. Christophorus, Frankfurt. Mass was held in English. During the homily, Father Peter spoke about the life of Saint Joseph Vaz. Father Peter also mentioned St. Joseph Vas was born & brought up in India, his studies in Goa and his missionary efforts in Sri Lanka. The Mass was accompanied by the choir singing meaningful English and Konkani hymns. Before the offertory, a offertory procession was done, the Sri Lankan Flag, The GAG Logo, the Holy Bible, a small Staue of St. Joseph Vaz, the Wine & Holy Communion were brought up to the altar by parishioners which were chosen to give each item to Father Peter. The items which were brought forward to the altar and the explanation read along with it, suited the occasion perfectly. The statue of Saint Joseph Vaz was placed on side of the altar with rose flowers. After Mass, GAG President Mr. Ashly Carrasco thanked Father Peter, the Eucharistic Ministers, the Altar Servers, the choir lead by Jerome Simoes and all the helpers to celebrate the beautiful Mass. Later he invited all guests to join in the parish hall which is round the corner to celebrate together the feast.

In the parish hall, all guests were welcomed to be seated and to help themselves with soft drinks, beer, wine or water. Soon, tasty snacks were served. After the people had quenched their thirst and had snacks GAG President Mr. Ashly Carrasco welcomed the crowd, thanked the past committee members and spoke about the future of the association. The President of the Goan Association Germany, also welcomed the newly elected executive committee members consisting of:

• President: Mr. Ashly Carrasco
• Vice President: Mr. Tim Pereira
• Treasurer: Mrs. Veron Pereira-Simoes
• General Secretary: Ms Melaine Demelo
• Joint Secretary: Mr. Michael Mascarenhas
• Public Relations Officer: Mrs. Amelia D'Souza

Not forgetting, the President also thanked all their spouses and famlilies for all their hard work to make this celebration a success.

After the formalities of introduction were over, we danced to the music played by our very own Goan DJ's Simoes & Simoes. The crowd had started enjoying themselves on the dance floor, dancing to the rhythms, carefully choosen for this occasion, before soon the food was ready. Before opening the buffet, Father Peter blessed the food and said the grace. The MC then informed the guests, that the food was ready. Various kinds of dishes like salad, rice, Butter Chicken, Beef Curry, Channa & French Bread were served. It was being served by our own teenagers wearing new aprons bearing the Logo of the association, they did a great job. The food was tasty and really delicious, after lunch the crowd again hit the dance floor and then took some rest. Housie was announced & the rules of this game were explained. Many played housie which was exciting. There were good prizes to be won.

The children enjoyed their game, of breaking each others ballons tied to one's leg, conducted by Mrs. Veron Pereira-Simoes.

Later in the afternoon, Coffee and Tea were served along with several different kinds of cakes & portuguese dessert specialities, on the buffet table. It was early evening, when the well organised, enjoyable & memorable function had ended. Most of us helped to clean & clear up the place, like always.

Dev Borem Korum.