Daijiworld News Network, Canada
Dec 5: To culminate the year long Jubilee celebrations on the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great Saint, Francis Xavier, the Indian communities of Toronto & Mississauga in Canada commemorated the feast today, the 3rd December 2006 with pomp & glory.
The Jubilee Year which began last December and ended today celebrates the great events of three Jesuits. The celebration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Francis Xavier and Pierre Favre, as well as the 450th anniversary of the death of Ignatius of Loyola who died on July 31, 1556 in Rome.
As a part of the celebration, various spiritual & cultural programmes were held. There was a summer picnic which was held on June 11, 2006. The picnic took place at Centennial Park. The picnic was from 11 am to 5 pm and everyone had a good time. The picnic started off with a Mass at 12 noon where Fr Daryl Miranda, S.J., presided and Fr Con Mulvihill, S.J. concelebrated. After Mass, there were interesting games and activities for people of all ages which served as a wonderful opportunity for members of the Indian communities to mingle and get to know each other. People shared lunch and we had a potluck for afternoon tea – there were a lot of goodies for all to enjoy. At the end of the day there was a game of tombola.
The second event was a spirit filled parish mission made up of three parts. This mission was held in three churches across the Greater Toronto Area(GTA) simultaneously. The mission took place on three consecutive Friday evenings, on September 22nd, September 29th and October 6th, 2006.
The finale celebration was held at the Grand Taj Banquet Hall, Dixie Road, one of the finest places in Mississauga, Canada. The programme took off with a High Mass at 12 noon. Fr. Jean Marc Laporte, S.J., (Provincial Superior of the Upper Canada Province) was the main celebrant and South Asian priests in the GTA like Fr.Jin Sheppard S.J., Fr.Anthony Milledge S.J., Fr.Daryl Miranda S.J., and a priest from Mangalore origin Fr.William Andrade OFM. Cap., were the co-celebrants. Fr.Edwin D’Souza & Fr.Martin Pereira too joined the programme. Two Xaverian sisters from France were the special guests for the event. The angelic singing by the members of GOA, Canorient & MAC was soul-elevating.
Fr.Daryl Miranda S.J., thanked the officials & the members of Goan Overseas Association (GOA), St. Francis Xavier Senior’s Club, The Canorient Christian Association (Canorient), The Canorient Seniors Association, The Jesuit Fathers of Upper Canada, and The Mangalorean Association of Canada for their sponsorship & great support for the great grand success of year long Jubilee celebrations.
Renowned comperes in the city Pat D’Cruz & Ivan D’Lima anchored the cultural part of the programme. A festive cake specially prepared and donated by Judy Barreto was cut by the chief guest Fr.Jean Marc Laporte S.J. “Pave Connection”, a renowned live band in Mississauga gave the finest foot tapping music and gave a great festive mood for the audience. Top class D.J. Alan D’Souza gave a highly professional performance. Everyone on the floor danced to the finest tunes and enjoyed their heart’s content. There were interesting games for children & adults. Great Jubilee celebration ended with a lovely mouthwatering buffet lunch.
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Muscat: Grand Goan Celebrations on St Francis Xavier's Feast