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 publicationof the Goan Association of NewJersey, Inc., a non-profit organizationestablished in 1991.

Inquiries, membership, subscriptionrequests, feedback and letters to theEditor may be sent to:

The Goan Association of NJ, Inc.P.O. Box 335

Cranbury, NJ 08512

Website: www.goanj.comEmail: committee@goanj.com

Volume XVII - Number 4 FALL 2009

GGOOAANN AASSSSOOCCIIAATTIIOONN OOFF NNEEWW JJEERRSSEEYY,, IINNCC..

It’s beginningto look likeChristmas...

Children’sChristmas PartySunday, December 13

North BrunswickSnacks, pizza, soda,

games, entertainment, DJand more!

Christmas BallSaturday, December 19

SomersetPrism Band, DJ Brian,open bar, buffet dinnerand so much more!

2

My Dear Friends,

The Summer of 2009 is behind us, andwe now have to dig out those coats,sweaters, gloves, etc., as we prepareourselves for a possible colder thanusual Winter. It may be cold outside, butthe GOANJ Planning Committee is busypreparing exciting events to make youfeel warm and cozy. The Retreat we hadin September certainly gave us muchspiritual food for thought, as we enjoyedthe warm fellowship of all who attended,and the warm and jovial atmosphereinside the hall at the October WhistDrive made the cold, rainy night outsidefade away. The heated competition gotus all warmed up, but it was a friendly,fun-filled competition that was won byCosme Coutinho, visiting parent ofAshley Coutinho.

The warmth will continue on till the endof the year, as we have the Children’sChristmas Party and the Christmas Ballto look forward to. You have allreceived the flyers electronically;however, should you inadvertentlydelete the email, you can always accessthe flyers on our website atwww.goanj.com.

As you all are aware, the price of goodsand services is constantly going up. Thisis very true of the Ukrainian Hall wherewe pay for the rental of the hall, as wellas for the service. Your GOANJPlanning Committee is very mindful ofthe bad economy, and the struggles someof our members are going through. Sowe are doing our best to negotiate lowerprices for the food, the drinks, as well asthe band. We have decided to promoteour local talent, and have hired Prism toentertain us. These savings will allow usto keep the price of dance tickets thesame as last year. This popular event

always getssold out, sodon’t delaysending in yourchecks before the deadline of December5th.

In closing, I want to thank all the PrayerChain members who so diligently havebeen praying for my parents who havebeen experiencing some medicalchallenges recently. There are many ofyou as well, who are aware of mysituation and have called or sent meemails showing your loving concern andcaring. You have no idea how much youall have been a comfort to me and myfamily. I have had to travel several timesto Toronto where my parents live, and Iam so relieved to know that I can lean onmy fellow officers on the ExecutiveCommittee, who have had to take onsome of my duties. So my heartfeltthanks go to this wonderful communitythat I am a part of. I hope to see all ofyou soon, so I can personally thank you.

Viva Goa!

Felix MenezesPresident

Managing Editor: Valerie MonizAsst. Editor: Allan D’GuerraDesigner: Tamara RemediosAsst. Designer: Louella Menezes

Contributors/Writers:

Goan Association Of NJ, Inc.:President: Felix MenezesVice President: Gladys MonteiroSecretary: Olinda GomesTreasurer: Allan D’GuerraManaging Editor: Valerie Moniz

Website: www.goanj.comEmail: committee@goanj.com

All rights reserved.

AssociationCorner

Allan D’Guerra

Valerie Moniz

Tamara Remedios

Alan Lopez

Dianne Nunes

Louella Menezes

Who’s Who

3

Valerie Moniz/ Allan D’Guerra

The Young Goans organization is looking to replenish its ranksafter a number of its members have married and others havemoved on to better career opportunities elsewhere. Thoughnot a focus of the group, at least three weddings have occurred,thanks in part to Young Goans, events where the couples firstmet. It is hoped that some of these new Young Goan memberswill eventually be future officers in the Goan Association ofNew Jersey, Inc.

The organization started in 2003, as an offshoot of theGOANJ, in an effort to develop a network among the twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings, so that they could enjoyeach others company at smaller, more focused events. Theysolicited the assistance of the GOANJ Executive Committeeofficers, who were pleasantly surprised and very supportive ofthis initiative. They encouraged this fledgling organization, bypromoting them through the newsletter, and the organizationalso grew thanks to word of mouth. As a result, an emailcontact list was established and this led to many fun eventsbeing enjoyed over the subsequent years since the first eventwhich was held at Bennigans in 2003.

In recent months, we have seen a decline in attendance at ourfunctions because some members have married or movedaway, but with an organization of 200 plus, it appears thatthere 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 ofanyone looking to network with other young Goans, pleasehave them contact Allan D’Guerra.

The next planned Young Goans’ event is a fall trip to MotherTheresa’s soup kitchen and a ski trip sometime during thewinter is on the schedule. Members have also organizedunplanned events, such as a casual meeting at a bar, dance clubor resturant.

Young Goans is an organization of Goan adults and theirfriends over 18. The purpose of the organization is to provideopportunities to meet and network with people who share asimilar heritage, in an informal and congenial atmosphere. Tojoin, you may contact Giselle at glopez5678@ yahoo.com orAllan at allandguerra@yahoo.com.

Diane Nunes

In support of its commitment to assist with the education of a financially-disadvantaged young Catholic Goan, the GOANJ has chosen to support a studentwith dreams of attending college. We sought the assistance of the Headmistress ofSt. Thomas High School, Imaculada Gonsalves, in Cansaulim, who selected 14-yearold Alvito Soares, a recent high school graduate. He plans to further his educationin 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 forAlvito to take the first steps toward realization of his dream by setting up a fund withan initial installment of Rs. 25,000. Imaculada, who will monitor the finances andoversee the withdrawals from our Goa account, will keep us updated on Alvito’sprogress.

Alvito has sent us a grateful letter thanking members of the GOANJ for allowinghim to pursue his dreams, and conveying his parent’s deep appreciation as well. Welook forward to keeping in touch with Alvito’s progress and wish him a bright future.

Young Goans

GOANJ Scholarship Student Selected

Alvito with Headmistress Imaculada

6

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

by Maria Amlani

Prepare the day before serving. In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:

6 eggs1 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 peppersHam/sausage (fully cooked)

MethodSpray a 9 x 13 pan and cover thebottom with a bag of croutons or slicesof bread. Pour the above mixture on top andcover with any kind of shredded cheese(8 oz bag).Cover pan and chill overnight. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 hour tillknife inserted comes out clean. If casserole is still moist, you can broiluncovered for a couple of minutes

ENJOY!

Mar ia (Mar ina ) and Sush i lAmlani , our newest members,moved to the US wi th the i r sonBr ian in 1984. They l ive inLockpo r t , New Yo rk . B r i anteaches in Vi rg in ia . Quest ions on the rec ipe may besen t t o Mar ina a tmar ia .amlan i@fnfg.com

Valerie Moniz

Our community has talent with a capital T! We caught a glimpse of it at ourlast two Summer Picnics when we selected Goan Idols for 2008 and 2009.However, that contest was focused mostly on talented voices. However, ourchildren 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 wehope to plan. We cannot do it without you, so we need to hear from you if youwill participate. This will not be so much a contest, but a show of our brighttalented children.

If we get your support, we hope to plan an enjoyable evening in 2010, startingout with the talent participants, followed by a short skit by Jr. Menezes. Thiswill be followed by dinner and dancing.

So come one, come all. Let us hear from you! You can contact us throughour email address which is committee@goanj.com, or you can contact FelixMenezes at fmenezes10@aol.com.

In Search Of GOANJ Talent

7

By Dianne Nunes

The Caring Committee will continue to focus on supporting the Goa-America Heart Foundation’s plan to builda cardiac hospital on the site of the JMJ (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) Hospital in Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Goa. The GOANJhas pledged ten thousand dollars to assist in establishing affordable cardiac care for anyone wishing to be treated with cardiac-related illness. Therefore, any funds raised from raffles, as well as any modest profits from smaller fundraising efforts, willcontinue to be the focus of the Caring Committee, until we reach the ten thousand dollar goal. President Felix Menezes is hopingto have that goal realized this year, especially with the combined efforts of so many people who are selling the raffles. So, at thenext GOANJ function, as the sellers bring those raffles around to sell, please be as generous as possible, and buy an extra one ortwo - the prizes are fantastic. You could be a winner, but the real winners are the less fortunate who come to the clinic. You havea chance to make this effort a reality. Every raffle ticket purchased helps and is greatly appreciated.

Raffle tickets will be available at the Dance

GOANJ is All Heart

AUTHENTIC GOAN CUISINE, SWEETS AND MOREGlynis Goodinho973-978-1283www.goodycaterers.webs.com

YUMMY

By Dianne Nunes

Sunday, September 20, was the site of our fourth annualGOANJ-sponsored Retreat at the Consolata Mission Center.The idea, to gather as a Goan Catholic community and nurtureour spiritual presence with one another, unfolded amid thepicturesque landscape in Somerset Township.

Our facilitator, Father John Hynes, Pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Church, in Wilmington DE, introduced us to the ApostlePaul and his profound influence on the Christian way of life. Three sessions of talks and interactive discussions wereculminated by the celebration of Mass in the Mission’s private chapel. Those wishing to stay were then treated to a tasty flairof Middle Eastern food that was a gourmet’s delight. The group had an opportunity to share a delicious meal, as well as sharetheir 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 upliftingtestimony to our faith and Christian values.

SpiritualTogetherness

Retreat attendees with Fr. John Hynes in frontof the Consolata Mission

1st Prize - ROUNDTRIP TO MUMBAI

2nd Prize - LAPTOP3rd Prize - $200 GOURMET DINNER

DEC.13 Children’s Christmas Party

North Brunswick, NJ19 Christmas Ball

Somerset, NJ

APR 201017 Spring Dance

JUNE/JULYTBD Summer Picnic

Event photos and other informationcan be viewed online at: www.goanj.com

Advertise Here!Advertise to our membership ofnearly 500 for the whole year

(4 publications) at these low rates:

2 inch, 1 colm $20.001/3 page $125.001/2 page $150.00Full page $250.00

Contact Felix Menezes 732-939-2916

Dianne NunesThe Caring Committee proudly introduces you to its newest member - Wanda Gomes,from Staten Island. She joins the Caring Committee, whose mission is to identifycharitable giving, both monetary (in Goa where our dollars stretch further)) as well asvoluntary (in New Jersey). Wanda has been a member of the GOANJ for over tenyears 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 theneeds of children. We warmly welcome Wanda!

The rest of the Caring Committee is made up of Valerie Moniz, Victor Monteiro, ElinaGomes, Michael Alvares, Allan D'Guerra and Dianne Nunes. They meet every year inJanuary to identify causes and to make recommendations to the Planning Committeeon 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 theelderly, a school for autistic children, an HIV/AIDS home for children and youngadults, as well as yearly support of a seminarian and a college-bound student lackingthe funds to continue their education. Most recently, our commitment has been tosupport 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 oremotional needs. You may send your prayer requests to Dianne atdiannenunes@verizon.net or Valerie at valerie1moniz@optonline.net.

Caring Corner Coming Up...

DJ BrianMusic for all occasions

DJ services, lighting,total event management.

Live Band provided upon request

Tel# 732-317-2621e-mail: dynamixdj@yahoo.com

The Annual Whist Drive was held on

October 17, 2009 at Community

Presbyterian Church Hall of Sand

Hills in Kendall Park, New Jersey.

Winners at the Whist Drive

Whist Drive 2009