By Susan Horn-Perez

The Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and Surroundings held its annual  Family Fun Day last June 29, 2019 at the Antonius Hall in Gouda. Its goal is to raise funds to support FCC Gouda activities. To captivate the beauty of summer, this year party theme is Havana look.  The hall was decorated with colorful and summer-like articles. Despite a very warm (32°C) day, people, attired in colorful clothes, started to fill the hall at around 5pm with smiles and joyous greetings. 

Rightly so, the program started with an opening prayer of praise and gratitude led by Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe.  Dinner was served afterwards while Stephany Alison renders a sweet song. The party went on with surprise dance and song numbers and games for young and old. 

The highlight of the night is the appreciation of all volunteers who gave time and resources and worked hard  for the maintenance and betterment of the FCC Gouda. The volunteers were each given a ribbon of recognition for their contributions (diaconal work, choir, altar servers, making and printing of mass handouts, creative works and the Children Bible Corner (CBC) guides).  Appreciations were extended to the members of FCC Dordrecht and FCC Rotterdam for their support in the FCC Gouda activities. Special acknowledgements were also given to persons who generously donated things/items/articles and funds to FCC Gouda.

Towards the end of the party, the best havana costume was selected by a panel of judges.  Ma Luz vd Starre and Gina Lea van Rijn were chosen to be the best havana dressed girls of the night.

It was indeed a fun filled family day, just as how the people came in, everyone left not only with smiles on their lips but joy in their hearts.