GOAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, INC. Goan Connection VOLUME XXIV - I S S U E I I J U N E 2 0 1 5 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Come Join us for a Fun Family Day…. socialize with long time friends, make new ones, Association Corner 2 With games and activities for all ages ! Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao: 3-5 Goan Association Picnic 2015 the Man, the Bishop and the Institution Saturday, July 11th,2015 Congrats Grads 6 10 am till dusk Princeton Country Club, West Windsor, NJ 08540 Election Slate 7 Goan Gourmet 8 Appetizers, Lunch, Snacks and Non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is not allowed except beer in cans) Caring Corner 9 Members - $18 per person (children under 4 are free) GOANJ Members’ guests - $25 per person (This event has been subsidized by GOANJ for members) The Goan Connection is a publica- tion of the Goan Association of Music by DJ Richie New Jersey, Inc., a non-profit Mass starts at 4:30 pm organization established in 1991. Enjoy Soccer, Volleyball, tug-0-war, Bingo, Group Games & Sing-Along Inquiries, membership, subscrip- tion requests, feedback and let- ters to the Editor may be sent to: Kids/ Teens Activities : 10.30 a.m. Relay with bucket and plastic lemons The Goan Association of NJ, Inc. Relay with eggs and spoons 1.00 p.m. Arts and crafts P.O. Box 335 2.00 p.m.— 4:00 p.m. Musical Rug Cranbury, NJ 08512 Water Relay Musical Statues 4:00 p.m. Choir Practice for kids & teens Email: [email protected] 5:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony for the kids after Mass Phone No: 201 64 GOANJ (46265) Website: www.goanj.com Who’s Who Association Corner Dear Members, Louella Menezes Designer & Editor Well we’ve arrived at my final associa- the Whist Drive th tion corner for this venerable Newslet- on October 10 ter. As my term as President ends, I re- at the Commu- member how fortunate I was at the start nity Presbyte- rian Church of Elvis Proenca of my presidency, to commemorate our twenty years of existence. Many of you Sands Hills, Kendall Park, NJ and the Editor will recall the outstanding celebrations annual Christmas Ball will take place th held at a packed Royal Albert Banquet on December 12 . Hall. Next year we will be celebrating another milestone, the association’s sil- As I end my term, I want to thank the ver jubilee and I hope many of you and executive and planning committee your guests will once again attend this members for their assistance and sup- Rui Gomes magnificent event in great numbers. A port offered to me during my presi- Website Co-ordinator new President will mark this very spe- dency. I am also thankful to Rui Gomes cial and memorable event and best and Ashley Coutinho for volunteering wishes to him and his new administra- their services in managing the GOANJ tion for hosting this momentous occa- website. I am truly grateful for the gen- Executive Committee sion. erous support our committee members receive from the volunteers who help us One might feel preparations for the 25th particularly, Tony and Edna Barros and anniversary are already in motion with Carmeline Barretto for their continued the visit of the Archbishop of Goa, His help at our events. Godfrey Gomes Grace Filipe Neri Ferrao. The GOANJ President is pleased to welcome His Grace to My utmost appreciation to all those who celebrate Holy Mass on August 30, at contribute towards the charities we un- St. Cecilia's Church, Monmouth Junc- dertake and the donations we occasion- tion, NJ. The Archbishop is looking ally receive. My sincere thanks to forward to meeting the people from our Arvind and Arleen D’Cunha for their Elvis Proenca community and we would like to honor generous donations of tickets to major Vice President his wishes by inviting you all to attend sporting events. Their contribution the Holy Mass. Members and invitees helps us to defray some of the cost on will have the opportunity to meet the prizes presented at our events. Archbishop of Goa at a luncheon recep- tion after the Holy Mass. Due to limited Finally, I thank you, our members for Teresa Cordeiro seating at the hall, attendance will be on giving me the opportunity to serve as Secretary a first come first served basis. President of your association. Your sup- port, shown by your attendance at our Members and friends will get an update events, is truly appreciated and I trust on the Archbishop’s planned visit dur- you will continue to display that same ing the outdoor Mass at our summer strong support for the new President Allan D’Guerra picnic, which will take place on July and his committee. Treasurer th 11 at the Princeton country club in West Windsor, NJ. This is an occasion Good wishes as always and God where everyone gets to enjoy an entire Bless, day of fun, games and activities. This Cleta Lobo year the food will be catered by one of Membership our favorite Indian restaurants and the Coordinator entertainment will be provided by DJ Richie. Goan Association of NJ, Inc. Godfrey Gomes Website: www.goanj.com President Email: [email protected] Our upcoming events for the year are All rights reserved. P A G E 2 Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao: the Man, the Bishop and the Institution Fr. Basilio Monteiro The Man Born in Aldona, Goa, Filipe Neri grew up in that idyllic village where life is still charming and everyone is affectionately known in the characteristic diminutive form such as Peter as Pitlo, Norbert as Norbetlo, and Filipe as Filpulo. He groomed himself into a fine young man at the Saligao Semi- nary, where he spent considerable amount of time with books, in prayer and watering plants on the rocky hillock of Saligao with devout obedience to the teachings of the spiritual directors of the time, which did produce occasional decent flowers, despite the dedicated care. His academic brilliance and phenomenal memory brought his classmates around him seeking learning assistance. At a tender young age he became “the explainer.” He was a gifted young man and overly generous with time and patience, especially with folks like the author of this piece, whose head was full of “chinchro” (the hard nut on the inside of the tamarind). He was gracious and humble, with a genuine cordiality and a subdued sense of humor. How- ever, every now and then he would let out an uncontrollable laughter, which would reveal the sweetness of his soul. Upon completion of studies at the Saligao Seminary, Filipe Neri moved to Rachol Seminary. After a brief health scare at Rachol, he moved to the Papal Seminary at Poona, an institution of great academic repute. There he found the intellectual environment where he could prove himself to be a worthy scholar. There he further groomed himself into a finer human being, steeped himself in walking humbly and loving tenderly. As a man, Filipe Neri is compassionate to his core, sensitive in his every fiber, and just plain easy going in his being. The Bishop As a priest, Filipe Neri was in a hurry to move the Kingdom of God. Full of energy, dynamism, and ideal- ism, his scooter became his pastoral companion. God’s Kingdom had to be moved and the scooter gave him the right speed. Among all the different ministries and pastoral services he has involved in, visiting the sick seemed to grab his heart. Soon his intellectual abilities and pastoral sensibilities could not but be noticed by all and especially by the people that mattered. At a very young age he was tapped to be the Auxiliary Bishop of Goa. As Auxiliary Bishop, he was an unending source of comfort and consolation to all priests. He became their elder brother, whom he received without prejudice or judgment. In due time, Filipe Neri was appointed the Archbishop. Goa, as small as it is, is a very complex place. Its history is complex, its people are far too complicated, and the Church structures are byzantine. To shep- herd the Church of Goa is a daunting task. However, Archbishop Filipe Neri does it, day in and day out, with single mindedness, by keeping exhausting schedules, and yet with a sense of freshness, which a Shep- herd is expected to do. I am sure he misses the deliciousness of being a parish priest where one accompa- nies the life of the ordinary people, where small acts touch and transform the lives of the people of God. Archbishop Filipe Neri guides his life and his work as the spiritual leader of Goa and Daman as God’s in- strument to bring everything into oneness of Jesus, Our Lord. Studies: Bachelor in Philosophy (1975) Bachelor in Theology (1979): Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth (Pontifical Athenaeum), Poona; Licentiate in Theology, with specialization in Biblical Theology (1988): Pontifical Urban University, Rome; Licentiate in Catechetics and Pastoral Theology (1991): Lumen Vitae International Institute (Brussels), affiliated to the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Languages spoken: Konkani, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, German. Episcopal Assignments: January 25, 1994: Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman April 10, 1994: Ordained Bishop at the “Sé Catedral,” Old Goa December 12, 2003: Appointed Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch “ad honorem” of the East Indies by Papal Bull “Inter Gravissimas” January 16, 2004: Public Announcement of the above Appoint- ment. March 21, 2004: Installed as Archbishop of Goa and Daman by the Apostolic Nuncio in India, Most Rev. Pedro López Quintana Episcopal Motto: Tim sogllim ek zaum --- May they all be one (John 17.21) The Institution - Patriarch of the East Indies Source: Wikipedia and Catholic Encyclopedia Se Cathedral, Goa The Titular Patriarch of the East Indies (Latin: Patriarcha Indiarum Orientalium; Patriarchatus Indiarum Orientalium for Titular Patriarchate of the East Indies) in the Catholic hierarchy is the title of the Archbishop of Goa and Daman in India; another title of his is that of the Primate of the East.