It's beginning to look like Christmas... - Tripod

Volume XVII - Number 4 FALL 2009
On the inside...
Association Corner 2
Young Goans 3
GOANJ Scholarship 3
Collage of Year’s Events 4-5
GOANJ Talent Wanted 6
Goan Gourmet 6
Retreat 7
GOANJ is All Heart 7
Caring Corner 8
The Goan Connection is a publication
of the Goan Association of New
Jersey, Inc., a non-profit organization
established in 1991.
Inquiries, membership, subscription
requests, feedback and letters to the
Editor may be sent to:
The Goan Association of NJ, Inc.
P.O. Box 335
Cranbury, NJ 08512
Website: www.goanj.com
Email: committee@goanj.com
GOAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, INC.
It’s beginning
to look like
Christmas...
Children’s
Christmas Party
Sunday, December 13
North Brunswick
Snacks, pizza, soda,
games, entertainment, DJ
and more!
Christmas Ball
Saturday, December 19
Somerset
Prism Band, DJ Brian,
open bar, buffet dinner
and so much more!

2
Who’s Who
Managing Editor: Valerie Moniz
Asst. Editor: Allan D’Guerra
Designer: Tamara Remedios
Asst. Designer: Louella Menezes
Contributors/Writers:
Louella Menezes
Allan D’Guerra
Alan Lopez
Valerie Moniz
Dianne Nunes
Tamara Remedios
Goan Association Of NJ, Inc.:
President: Felix Menezes
Vice President: Gladys Monteiro
Secretary: Olinda Gomes
Treasurer: Allan D’Guerra
Managing Editor: Valerie Moniz
Website: www.goanj.com
Email: committee@goanj.com
All rights reserved.
Association
Corner
My Dear Friends,
The Summer of 2009 is behind us, and
we now have to dig out those coats,
sweaters, gloves, etc., as we prepare
ourselves for a possible colder than
usual Winter. It may be cold outside, but
the GOANJ Planning Committee is busy
preparing exciting events to make you
feel warm and cozy. The Retreat we had
in September certainly gave us much
spiritual food for thought, as we enjoyed
the warm fellowship of all who attended,
and the warm and jovial atmosphere
inside the hall at the October Whist
Drive made the cold, rainy night outside
fade away. The heated competition got
us all warmed up, but it was a friendly,
fun-filled competition that was won by
Cosme Coutinho, visiting parent of
Ashley Coutinho.
The warmth will continue on till the end
of the year, as we have the Children’s
Christmas Party and the Christmas Ball
to look forward to. You have all
received the flyers electronically;
however, should you inadvertently
delete the email, you can always access
the flyers on our website at
www.goanj.com.
As you all are aware, the price of goods
and services is constantly going up. This
is very true of the Ukrainian Hall where
we pay for the rental of the hall, as well
as for the service. Your GOANJ
Planning Committee is very mindful of
the bad economy, and the struggles some
of our members are going through. So
we are doing our best to negotiate lower
prices for the food, the drinks, as well as
the band. We have decided to promote
our local talent, and have hired Prism to
entertain us. These savings will allow us
to keep the price of dance tickets the
same as last year. This popular event
always gets
sold out, so
don’t delay
sending in your
checks before the deadline of December
5th.
In closing, I want to thank all the Prayer
Chain members who so diligently have
been praying for my parents who have
been experiencing some medical
challenges recently. There are many of
you as well, who are aware of my
situation and have called or sent me
emails showing your loving concern and
caring. You have no idea how much you
all have been a comfort to me and my
family. I have had to travel several times
to Toronto where my parents live, and I
am so relieved to know that I can lean on
my fellow officers on the Executive
Committee, who have had to take on
some of my duties. So my heartfelt
thanks go to this wonderful community
that I am a part of. I hope to see all of
you soon, so I can personally thank you.
Viva Goa!
Felix Menezes
President

Young Goans
Valerie Moniz/ Allan D’Guerra
The Young Goans organization is looking to replenish its ranks
after a number of its members have married and others have
moved on to better career opportunities elsewhere. Though
not a focus of the group, at least three weddings have occurred,
thanks in part to Young Goans, events where the couples first
met. It is hoped that some of these new Young Goan members
will eventually be future officers in the Goan Association of
New Jersey, Inc.
The organization started in 2003, as an offshoot of the
GOANJ, in an effort to develop a network among the twentysomethings
and thirty-somethings, so that they could enjoy
each others company at smaller, more focused events. They
solicited the assistance of the GOANJ Executive Committee
officers, who were pleasantly surprised and very supportive of
this initiative. They encouraged this fledgling organization, by
promoting them through the newsletter, and the organization
also grew thanks to word of mouth. As a result, an email
contact list was established and this led to many fun events
being enjoyed over the subsequent years since the first event
which was held at Bennigans in 2003.
Alvito with Headmistress Imaculada
Diane Nunes
In recent months, we have seen a decline in attendance at our
functions because some members have married or moved
away, but with an organization of 200 plus, it appears that
there is an opportunity to have a vibrant, thriving organization.
New ideas are needed to serve the social needs of the group.
Membership is open to Goans 18 and over, so if you know of
anyone looking to network with other young Goans, please
have them contact Allan D’Guerra.
The next planned Young Goans’ event is a fall trip to Mother
Theresa’s soup kitchen and a ski trip sometime during the
winter is on the schedule. Members have also organized
unplanned events, such as a casual meeting at a bar, dance club
or resturant.
Young Goans is an organization of Goan adults and their
friends over 18. The purpose of the organization is to provide
opportunities to meet and network with people who share a
similar heritage, in an informal and congenial atmosphere. To
join, you may contact Giselle at glopez5678@ yahoo.com or
Allan at allandguerra@yahoo.com.
GOANJ Scholarship
Student Selected
In support of its commitment to assist with the education of a financiallydisadvantaged
young Catholic Goan, the GOANJ has chosen to support a student
with dreams of attending college. We sought the assistance of the Headmistress of
St. Thomas High School, Imaculada Gonsalves, in Cansaulim, who selected 14-year
old Alvito Soares, a recent high school graduate. He plans to further his education
in the math and science fields with the eventual goal of becoming a doctor.
Imaculada selected Alvito because he has demonstrated determination, hard work,
and a serious commitment to his academic studies. GOANJ has made it possible for
Alvito to take the first steps toward realization of his dream by setting up a fund with
an initial installment of Rs. 25,000. Imaculada, who will monitor the finances and
oversee the withdrawals from our Goa account, will keep us updated on Alvito’s
progress.
Alvito has sent us a grateful letter thanking members of the GOANJ for allowing
him to pursue his dreams, and conveying his parent’s deep appreciation as well. We
look forward to keeping in touch with Alvito’s progress and wish him a bright future.
3

Valerie Moniz
In Search Of
GOANJ Talent
Our community has talent with a capital T! We caught a glimpse of it at our
last two Summer Picnics when we selected Goan Idols for 2008 and 2009.
However, that contest was focused mostly on talented voices. However, our
children have so much more talent than that by way of music, dance, poetry,
acting, etc. We want to seek out that talent.
This talent that we want to showcase next year will be by way of an event we
hope to plan. We cannot do it without you, so we need to hear from you if you
will participate. This will not be so much a contest, but a show of our bright
talented children.
If we get your support, we hope to plan an enjoyable evening in 2010, starting
out with the talent participants, followed by a short skit by Jr. Menezes. This
will be followed by dinner and dancing.
So come one, come all. Let us hear from you! You can contact us through
our email address which is committee@goanj.com, or you can contact Felix
Menezes at fmenezes10@aol.com.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
by Maria Amlani
Prepare the day before serving.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the
following:
6 eggs
1 can cream of soup (mushroom,
potato, chicken, whatever you like)
1 can milk - use your empty soup
can to measure the milk
Add a total of 3 cups of the
following:
Sauted onions and peppers
Ham/sausage (fully cooked)
Method
Spray a 9 x 13 pan and cover the
bottom with a bag of croutons or slices
of bread.
Pour the above mixture on top and
cover with any kind of shredded cheese
(8 oz bag).
Cover pan and chill overnight.
Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 hour till
knife inserted comes out clean.
If casserole is still moist, you can broil
uncovered for a couple of minutes
ENJOY!
M a r i a ( M a r i n a ) a n d S u s h i l
Amlani, our newest members,
moved to the US with their son
Brian in 1984. They live in
L o c k p o r t , N e w Yo r k . B r i a n
teaches in Virginia.
Questions on the recipe may be
s e n t t o M a r i n a a t
maria.amlani@fnfg.com
6

GOANJ is All Heart
By Dianne Nunes
The Caring Committee will continue to focus on supporting the Goa-America Heart Foundation’s plan to build
a cardiac hospital on the site of the JMJ (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) Hospital in Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Goa. The GOANJ
has pledged ten thousand dollars to assist in establishing affordable cardiac care for anyone wishing to be treated with cardiacrelated
illness. Therefore, any funds raised from raffles, as well as any modest profits from smaller fundraising efforts, will
continue to be the focus of the Caring Committee, until we reach the ten thousand dollar goal. President Felix Menezes is hoping
to have that goal realized this year, especially with the combined efforts of so many people who are selling the raffles. So, at the
next GOANJ function, as the sellers bring those raffles around to sell, please be as generous as possible, and buy an extra one or
two - the prizes are fantastic. You could be a winner, but the real winners are the less fortunate who come to the clinic. You have
a chance to make this effort a reality. Every raffle ticket purchased helps and is greatly appreciated.
Raffle tickets will be available at the Dance
Retreat attendees with Fr. John Hynes in front
of the Consolata Mission
By Dianne Nunes
YUMMY
1st Prize - ROUNDTRIP TO MUMBAI
2nd Prize - LAPTOP
3rd Prize - $200 GOURMET DINNER
Spiritual
Togetherness
Sunday, September 20, was the site of our fourth annual
GOANJ-sponsored Retreat at the Consolata Mission Center.
The idea, to gather as a Goan Catholic community and nurture
our spiritual presence with one another, unfolded amid the
picturesque landscape in Somerset Township.
Our facilitator, Father John Hynes, Pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Church, in Wilmington DE, introduced us to the Apostle
Paul and his profound influence on the Christian way of life. Three sessions of talks and interactive discussions were
culminated by the celebration of Mass in the Mission’s private chapel. Those wishing to stay were then treated to a tasty flair
of Middle Eastern food that was a gourmet’s delight. The group had an opportunity to share a delicious meal, as well as share
their faith in a community united by a common heritage bonding in Christ.
We plan on continuing this tradition of sharing our faith with members and friends of the GOANJ community in an uplifting
testimony to our faith and Christian values.
AUTHENTIC GOAN CUISINE,
SWEETS AND MORE
Glynis Goodinho
973-978-1283
www.goodycaterers.webs.com
7

Winners at the Whist Drive
Caring Corner
Dianne Nunes
The Caring Committee proudly introduces you to its newest member - Wanda Gomes,
from Staten Island. She joins the Caring Committee, whose mission is to identify
charitable giving, both monetary (in Goa where our dollars stretch further)) as well as
voluntary (in New Jersey). Wanda has been a member of the GOANJ for over ten
years and wants to assist us so that she can help people in Goa and especially children.
Her background in early childhood education has made her particularly sensitive to the
needs of children. We warmly welcome Wanda!
The rest of the Caring Committee is made up of Valerie Moniz, Victor Monteiro, Elina
Gomes, Michael Alvares, Allan D'Guerra and Dianne Nunes. They meet every year in
January to identify causes and to make recommendations to the Planning Committee
on those worthwhile endeavors that best support our mission statement. In the past,
we have supported projects in Goa such as an old age home, a hospice center for the
elderly, a school for autistic children, an HIV/AIDS home for children and young
adults, as well as yearly support of a seminarian and a college-bound student lacking
the funds to continue their education. Most recently, our commitment has been to
support the Cardiac Clinic in Porvorim, Goa, until we reach our goal of $10,000.
The Prayer Team continues to intercede on behalf of people with physical, spiritual or
emotional needs. You may send your prayer requests to Dianne at
diannenunes@verizon.net or Valerie at valerie1moniz@optonline.net.
DJ Brian
Music for all occasions
DJ services, lighting,
total event management.
Live Band provided upon request
Tel# 732-317-2621
e-mail: dynamixdj@yahoo.com
Whist Drive 2009
The Annual Whist Drive was held on
October 17, 2009 at Community
Presbyterian Church Hall of Sand
Hills in Kendall Park, New Jersey.
Coming Up...
DEC.
13 Children’s Christmas Party
North Brunswick, NJ
19 Christmas Ball
Somerset, NJ
APR 2010
17 Spring Dance
JUNE/JULY
TBD Summer Picnic
Event photos and other information
can be viewed online at:
www.goanj.com
Advertise Here!
Advertise to our membership of
nearly 500 for the whole year
(4 publications) at these low rates:
2 inch, 1 colm $20.00
1/3 page $125.00
1/2 page $150.00
Full page $250.00
Contact Felix Menezes 732-939-2916