St. Sebastian Church

Hope does not disappoint us.

My beloved brothers and sisters of St Sebastian Parish, Aquem Alto.

After a long tenure of Parish work in many Parishes I have the privilege of working in this Parish of distinguished parishioners remarkable in their faith and way of life. I am pleased to be warmly welcomed by you and I have seen in this nearly one month how great and noble you are.

I am particularly pleased with the unity and participatory spirit with which you render your services to the Lord in particular in the Church, the wonderful responsibility the musicians display unitedly in playing their instruments for all the Masses, the Parish Pastoral Council promptly bearing the burden of organizing the Masses and showing great concern for the Parish Priest and other needs of the Parish, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in their quick willingness to render the sacred service, the Legion of Mary offering to keep the linen of the altar and sacred vessels clean and tidy, the Catechists for their elaborate preparation of the liturgy and care of the children and so on.

If we look around us,there is so much unrest and animosity amongst fellow beings. Disputes in families, leading to so many broken families, quarrels and tussles among neighbours at times, even because of silly reasons, States having issues with one another for sharing river waters and also the earmarked boundaries and worst of all nations bombarding other nations killing thousands of innocent civilians, thus igniting the fears of another World War.

We all know, peace and harmony are fundamental for a thriving society, allowing individuals to coexist and prosper while pursuing their own goals without fear of conflict or violence. A peaceful and harmonious environment fosters cooperation, understanding and mutual respect, leading to a more stable and prosperous world.

Benedict was born in the year 480. He died on 21st March 547, at the age of 67. We celebrate the feast of St. Benedict on the 11th of July.

Benedict was born in a noble Roman family, in Nursia, Central Italy, roughly 100 miles north-east of Rome. His father was a Prefect of the Western Roman Empire. He had a twin sister named Scholastica who also became a Saint. She established the first Benedictine community of women at the age of 67.

As a youth, Benedict was sent to Rome for studies, but he was disappointed by the bad behaviour of his classmates. At the age of 20, he left his studies in Rome to seek a life of more value. He moved to the countryside about 40 miles from Rome, accompanied by his nurse who cared for him like a mother. They moved in with some holy men in the Church of St. Peter. There his nurse accidentally broke a dish used to sift wheat. She was very upset. Seeing this Benedict miraculously mended the dish and returned it to her. News of this spread quickly and Benedict became the talk of the town.

Saint Joaquim and Saint Anne whose feast we celebrate on 26th July are the maternal grandparents of Jesus. They are parents of Virgin Mother Mary.

Joaquim was a wealthy generous man who supplied sacrificial sheep to the temple in Jerusalem and his wife Anne a pious, devout lady full of compassion. They were childless for a long time and Saint Anne was advanced in age. However, they never lost hope in GOD. Prayed incessantly to God to bless them with a child. It is written in the books that St. Joaquim and St. Anne arrived in the temple to make an offering. But were rejected by a man named Rubim likely a Leviticus priest, because they were childless saying it is not right for you to bring an offering as you have no offspring in Israel. To be childless was a disfavour from God.

World Nature Conservation Day, observed annually on July 28, serves as a crucial reminder of the need to preserve and protect our planet’s precious natural resources. Nature is not merely the scenic backdrop to human life—it is the very lifeline that sustains us. Despite the wealth of knowledge, research, and education that has been dedicated to environmental conservation, it is deeply concerning that much of the world continues to neglect or underestimate the urgency of this issue. With the escalating threats of climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this observance calls upon individuals, communities, and governments alike to reflect, act, and adopt more responsible and sustainable practices. World Nature Conservation Day is not just about awareness—it is a call to action to safeguard the future of our planet.

Hea vorsa ,Sant Anton-ichem Trezen ani Porob vhodde bhoktin ani umedin zalem. Hea tera disanchea Trezen/Porbek amchea ganvcho tosoch lagxilea ganvcho, zoxem St.Jose de Areal, Davorlim, Chandor, Raia, Curtorim, Quepem, adi, zaito lok hajir zalo. Sogleanim ap-aplim veg-vegllim magnnim, Bhagivont Anton-ik fuddem ghalun Devak ubarlim. Khoxechi khobor mhollear Zaiteanchim magnnim Devan xarti pavoilim ani sobemazar tannim Devache upkar attoile. Khorench sangatim eka-meka passot jednam ami magtanv, Devak amchem magnnem avoddta ani maglolem favo korta. Devache vhodd upkar.!!

Maiache 31ver amcho novo Padr Vigar, Fr.Simpliciano Fernandes, hannem Maddiecher axirvad ghatlo. Novea Padr Vigar-ak, fulam bhettoun, hajir aslelea firgozkaranim ievkar dilo.

From the cannonball to the classroom, St. Ignatius of Loyola left a legacy far greater than he ever imagined. Born in Spain in 1491, Ignatius was a courtier and soldier, ambitious for honour and glory. But everything changed when a cannonball shattered his leg—and with it, his dreams of fame. During his long recovery, he read about the life of Christ and the Saints and his heart turned toward a deeper calling.

He famously wrote, “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?”, he gave up everything for Christ. His spiritual awakening led to the founding of the Society of Jesus—the Jesuits—in 1540. The Jesuits became known for their discipline, commitment to education, and missionary zeal. But for Ignatius, their core mission was simple: “to find God in all things”.

St. Mary Magdalene is one of the most inspiring women in the Bible. Her life shows us how God’s love can transform a person completely. She teaches us about faith, courage, and deep devotion to Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene came from a town called Magdala, near the Sea of Galilee. The Bible tells us that Jesus healed her by casting out seven demons (Luke 8:2). After that, she followed Him faithfully, along with a few other women who helped in His ministry. Her healing was not just physical, but spiritual. Jesus gave her a new life, and in return, she gave Him her heart.

Our Lady Our Mother Mary has many names and one of them is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This title commemorates her role as Patroness of the Carmelite Order revered by Catholics all over the world.

The devotion is rooted in the biblical story of Elijah’s triumph on Mount Carmel, the mountain in Israel significant for the biblical story of Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal, where fire from heaven validated the one true God, and the tradition of hermits who lived on the mountain in the late 12th and early to mid-13th century who thereafter built a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

“Age is a gift, a beautiful gift to be cherished. A gift that offers us memories, reminders of how fortunate we’ve been through the years and of all the people who have blessed the journey we’ve taken. As seniors, we’ve lived and learned, we’ve laughed and cried, we’ve loved and been loved in return. And there is still more to come! “
(Bishop O’Connell’s message)

In the Jubilee year, the Day, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.