Dear G.O.A. members,

As we approach the final lap of 2009, it gives me great pleasure to invite you all along with your family and guests to join your fellow Goemkars in celebrating the Feast of our Beloved St. Francis Xavier. Along with this newsletter, you will find a flyer providing details regarding the date, time etc. of the celebration. As you would have probably noted, the executive council has strived to organize events during each year, which try to encourage the participation and enthusiasm of every age group, whether it be the annual picnic, Halloween celebration, sports event or what have you! Needless to mention, the response is tremendously enthusiastic at each and every event – however we would really love to see more participation in the choir that sings at the SFX feast each year. Even now, it’s not too late to join the choir for this year’s celebration. We Goemkars are by and large gifted with an unique talent for music, and this itself is one of the talents we can dedicate in the service of the Lord. And what better opportunity to join our voices as one, than in the celebration of the feast of our very own “Goencho Saib” (Patron Saint of Goa). Please email our Editor, Manuel Noronha if interested.
To provide a grand finale to this year, your association is organizing a New Year’s party – the details of which are provided in the enclosed flyer too. This is the Fourth year in succession that your association will be holding this event – this time to be organized in MD. We look forward to many of you joining fellow Goans in brining in the new year..
This summer we organized our very First Goan Sports Fiesta which was widely appreciated and the participation was truly enthusiastic. One of my most joyous moments of the evening was watching some of our seniors enjoying a board of Carom. In fact one of them commented “Ooooh I have not done this in long time!” which got me wondering for a moment what she was referring to J. But due to the fact that the time at the venue was short and the association was being billed by the hour, we had to disappoint a number of attendees by calling the event to a close when most were really getting warmed up. I am sure everyone wanted to just go on. Based on the enthusiasm we saw, we hope to organize a similar event next year and hope that the future managements of the association continue to make this a regular event. The current committee is in fact even considering launching our very own Soccer Team – details will follow!!
Finally I wish to thank each and every one of you who have participated in the various events organized by GOA this year and look forward to your continued enthusiasm in time to come. Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season.
Warm regards,

Manuel Fernandes
President
G.O.A.

goemkar1@verizon.net