St. Sebastian Church

A New Pentecost

The Church was born on the day of Pentecost. Yet a local Church like a Parish is refreshed and renewed many times. When a section of the parishioners receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we have surely a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit over our Church in abundance. When our 42 youngsters receive this Sacrament of the growth of Christian life the grace flows over the whole Church of St. Sebastian, namely over every member of the Parish community.

From this perspective we will have another Pentecost in our Parish on May, 12 at 4 p.m. when the bishop will lay his hands on the our youngsters and pray over them annointing them with the oil of Chrism. The Spirit of the Lord comes down upon them and upon every member of the Parish family through them. It is a sacrament of community renewal and growth.

In the Old Testament, Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew), was an annual celebration of the giving of the First Covenant. It was a feast of joy and gratitude, celebrating God’s provision for the harvest and his covenant with Israel. According to tradition, the Ten Commandments, were given to Moses on Mount Sinai on this day, 50 days after the Exodus from Egypt, creating a direct parallel to the New Testament, Pentecost, which marks the New Covenant.

The coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) on the Feast of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, marked the out pouring of the Holy Spirit as per Jesus’ promise, on his followers in Jerusalem. The Spirit came and “rested on each one,” at Pentecost. (Acts 2:3). The sound as of a mighty rushing wind and the cloven tongues as of fire, were signs that accompanied, giving the indication of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

St. Athanasius was born around 296 AD in Alexandria. It is believed that he was raised in a good Christian family that helped nurture his faith from a young age.

Even as a child, Athanasius had a special love for God. He was curious, thoughtful, and always eager to understand who Jesus truly is. This deep interest slowly became his life’s calling, and he chose to dedicate himself completely to Christ. Over time, he became the Bishop of Alexandria, guiding people and helping them grow in their faith.

His journey, however, was not easy. Many people during his time believed that Jesus was not truly God. But Athanasius bravely stood up for the truth and supported the teachings of the First Council of Nicaea.

His faith was not just in words he lived as a true bearer of Christ, showing God’s love through his life and teachings. His famous work, On the Incarnation, beautifully explains how Jesus came to save us. Because of his courage, he was sent into exile five times, yet he never gave up. He remained a faithful witness to Christ in every situation.

On the 1st of May, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, this coincides with Labour Day, a reminder that work is not merely a necessity, but a sacred calling.

In Goa, this feast quietly blends into the rhythm of everyday life. We recognise the dignity of work in all its forms, whether it is the fisherman setting out at dawn, the carpenter shaping wood with care, the teacher guiding young minds, or the professional navigating deadlines. In each of these, the spirit of St. Joseph finds a natural home.

St. Joseph’s life was not marked by public recognition or grand achievements. A simple carpenter, he worked with his hands, provided for his family, and carried out his responsibilities with quiet faith.

Reflection: 

Brothers And Sisters, Last month we celebrated ‘Easter’ and as the Apostles along with Mother Mary waited in Prayers for the coming of third persona of God i.e. The Holy Spirit, we celebrate the Feast of Holy Spirit this month. With the coming of the Holy Spirit the Lord’s Church was established and the message of the Lord was out for all the Nations in their Tongues. This is the next greatest moment in our Catholic faith after the Paschal mystery ‘Easter’. The following Sunday the Solemnity of ‘The Most Holy Trinity’ is observed, which is the central mystery of the Catholic faith: one God in three Divine Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not three gods, but one God in a communion of love. The Father is the Creator, the Son is the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. Though distinct as Persons, they are equal in divinity, eternal, and inseparable in their action. 

This mystery, though beyond full human understanding, reveals that God is not solitude but perfect relationship and love. As we learn in our faith, everything in the Christian life flows from and returns to the Trinity-our prayers, sacraments, and mission. 

Jesus Christ is the unique and eternal High Priest, serving as the sole mediator between God and humanity by offering himself as the perfect, final sacrifice. Unlike Old Testament priests, His priesthood is everlasting, based on the order of Melchizedek, and ensures perpetual intercession for humanity in heaven.

Important Perspectives of Jesus as Eternal High Priest:

Final Sacrifice: Jesus Christ offered his own body on the cross Instead of offering animal sacrifices, thus accomplishing salvation for all mankind who believes in Him.

Distinctive Conciliator: Jesus offered himself on the cross and instituted the Eucharist. He brought mankind closer to God and became a link with humanity, acting as both the offering and the priest who offers.

In the grand tapestry of Salvation history, where prophets thunder and martyrs cry out, there exists a profound resonant silence. It is the silence of a carpenter from Nazareth, a man whose words are never recorded in Scripture, yet whose actions shaped the course of eternity. 

St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church, stands as a testament to the fact that greatness is not found in the volume of one’s voice but in the steadfastness of one’s soul. 

12th April, 2026 being a Sunday, was chosen for a day’s outing, though some couldn’t make it. We started the day after participating in the morning Mass, at around 10 a.m. from the Church. It was an hour’s journey by bus to the picnic spot. Relieved to be away from the day’s unbearable heat… Power Cut !!

As we reached our destination, we eagerly looked for some signboard or the sound of gushing water. Nothing was in sight, so, we embarked on a trail of fallen leaves, with a lot of greenery around. Wild flowers, jackfruit and cashews, tall trees and bamboos on either side, made us feel that we were all on an expedition…tracking the pathway, almost as was in The Secret 7 Series! An unique experience in the woods!

The message of Our Lady of Fátima apparitions centers on prayer, repentance, and conversion. In 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, urging devotion to God, especially through the Rosary. She called for penance for sins, reparation to her Immaculate Heart, and trust in God’s mercy. The message warned of the consequences of sin, including war and suffering, but also promised peace, if humanity turned back to God. Overall, it emphasizes faith, moral responsibility, and hope in divine grace.

The message of Our Lady of Fátima apparitions speaks powerfully to the present world situation marked by wars such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These crises reveal not only political disagreements but a deeper moral and spiritual disorder-what Our Lady of Fatima warned as the consequences of sin, pride, and turning away from God.

When the topic “Tilling of Fields” was suggested for our monthly Church Magazine, I accepted it with great enthusiasm. This subject holds a special place in my heart, as I have some personal familiarity with the process. During my younger days, I often accompanied my mother to our fields and witnessed firsthand the various stages of farming from the tilling of the soil to the eventual harvesting of crops. These experiences left a lasting impression on me and helped me appreciate the dedication, patience, and hard work involved in cultivating the land.

Over the years, I have also observed that the process of farming has undergone significant transformation. What was once largely dependent on manual labour and traditional methods has now evolved into a more mechanized and efficient system. Despite these advancements, the core principles of tilling preparation, nurturing, patience, and joy in the outcome-remain unchanged.