Doha: St. Francis Xavier “Goencho Saib” feast was celebrated on December 3 by all Goans and Mangaloreans with great fervor and devotion in Doha, Qatar.
All Konkani speaking people of Our Lady of Rosary Church of Qatar under the banner of Konkani Speaking Community (KSC) and under the guidance of Fr. Anand Castelino OFM Cap, the Spiritual Director of the Konkani community celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier on a grand scale.
 
Thousands of devotees gathered at the church for the Holy Mass in Konkani which was concelebrated by two priests – Fr Anand Castelino, and the main celebrant Fr Simon Rico, visiting priest from Goa. Fr Simon preached the homily on the occasion.  The preaching was based on various themes during the nine days novena and was very much liked and appreciated by the community.
 
Parish priest Fr Selvaraja delivered his message at the beginning of the mass. He then felicitated Fr Simon Rico with a shawl.
 
Earlier, on Wednesday December 2, as a conclusion to the nine days novena, mass was celebrated which was followed by a procession with the statue of St Francis Xavier and his devotees around the church compound. It was concluded with novena.

The feast Pirginth was John & Jessy Dsa.  Novena sponsors, Murdoms and Pirginth were honoured with a blessed candle by the secretary of KSC.  Treesa Goveas thanked all the Pirginth, sponsors, murdoms who contributed towards novenas and feast celebrations. She also thanked the Mangalorean choir, Goan choir, youth and children’s choir groups for their service during the novenas.
 
In his address, Fr Castelino thanked the committee for organizing the event. He also thanked Fr Simon for his visit to Doha for this occasion and the wonderful sermons throughout the novenas. He appreciated the Pirginth, Mudthoms, sponsors, and all those who worked for this event as well as all the community for coming together to make it a successful occasion.
 
Fr Castelino and Vivian D’souza, President of KSC felicitated Fr Simon and the Pirginth with a memento and a shawl. Fr Simon addressed the gathering and thanked everyone for inviting him and giving him an opportunity to preach the nine days novenas and celebrate the feast with the Konkani speaking community in Qatar. Pirginth John D’sa also spoke on this occasion.
 
Delicious food was served by Pirginth John and Jessy D’sa to all present.