The older you get, the more quiet you become. Life humbles you so deeply as you so deeply as you age, and it is a Miracle as every breath we take, every step we make, is a gift from GOD.

I recently turned 70, giving me an opportunity to thank the Almighty for this amazing and lovely gift called LIFE. I was more than fortunate to be able to do so at the feet of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France. It was an amazing day which will be remembered for a long, long time. God has unique and unbelievable plans for all of us and that is precisely what I experienced in Lourdes, not forgetting the surprise party in UK attended by my family and friends. Although I was beyond Indian borders and across oceans, I was clean bowled by the number of phone calls and messages on every possible media. Like a little child, I cried tears of joy, gratitude and love. Read more

Serving God on the Sacred Altar

Being an altar server is much more than simply assisting during Mass. It is a sacred and meaningful vocation that holds profound importance in the life of the Catholic Church. Altar serving allows young people to actively participate in the liturgy and deepen their relationship with God in a unique and special way. It is an opportunity to serve in God’s presence and contribute to the beauty of the Eucharistic celebration.

The role of an altar server dates back to the early days of the Church. Traditionally, only boys served at the altar, but today both boys and girls are encouraged to actively participate in this important ministry. Altar servers assist the priest in various tasks, such as carrying the processional cross, holding the liturgical book, preparing the altar, and assisting during the Eucharistic prayers. They offer their time and talents to create a prayerful environment that allows the faithful to encounter Christ. Read more

Come November, does anyone ever ask, “When is All Saints Day”? or “When is All Souls Day”? 1st and 2nd November are the two days stamped on our mind and heart. All Saints Day calls every one of us to be a Saint. This means letting Jesus have full possession of our life and to live the kind of life Jesus wants His disciples to live. It means therefore to make time each day for Jesus in Personal Prayer in order to experience His transforming Love.

All Souls Day takes our mind and heart to our departed loved ones, no matter how recent or distant the parting has been. The Church brings us together to pray not just for our loved ones, but also for all the Souls who are in Purgatory. Praying for the Souls in Purgatory is an act of charity because they cannot pray for themselves.

Here below are extracts from a talk by the late Bishop Fulton Sheen on Purgatory, which I hope you will find helpful. Read more

As the Messiah, Jesus was called the ‘Son of David.’ During His trial and crucifixion, He was identified as the ‘King of the Jews.’ Jesus is the perfect King because He is God, and He came to live among the people. As king, He brought God into the midst of creation, to show people what God really had in mind with His kingdom.

Christ the King is one of the most important titles of Jesus. Even though, Jesus Christ was not a king in the earthly sense, He is the Divine King of the Universe, who unites all of the creation with the Father. As St. Paul tells us,1 Cor.15:25-28 for [Christ] must reign until He has put all His enemies, under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things under Him that God may be all in all. Read more

Marriage and the family is recognized by the Church as an “apostolate,” an institution that is entrusted with the task of evangelization. Firstly this evangelization takes place within the context of the family, in the raising of children.

The Family Apostolate seeks to actively inspire hope and healing in family life. Our mission is to bring the love of Christ to a hurting world, fulfilling the great commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind, and soul.”

In today’s world Family which is the cradle of society is being challenged from both internal and external forces

It is important at the outset to mention that there is a mutual dependence between society and the family. Society depends much on the family and society in its turn influences the family. The economic, social, psychological and civil climate of today has a severe disturbing effect on family life. The famous statement of Pope John Paul II is true, that the society passes through the family. Here the question is whether the family is fully aware of the modern influences in it and is strong enough to withstand these influences. Read more

Oral hygiene is not just about having a bright smile; it’s crucial for your overall health. Neglecting oral health can lead to various dental problems and contribute to systemic health issues. Poor dental hygiene can lead to problems that are much bigger than an unpleasant smile.Tooth decay and gum disease can affect other parts of your body, including your heart. Good oral/dental health translates to good health overall.

Dental problems such as cavities or gum disease can impair your ability to eat and speak properly, cause pain and bad breath. And what many people may not realize, is that poor dental health can have a profoundly, negative affect on areas outside of the mouth, including your heart, diabetes, pregnancy and chronic inflammation, such as arthritis — to name a few. Read more

Handbook study was organized by the Ekvottachea arka comitium at St. Sebastian Church Aquem on 24th Sept at 3:30pm. There were 3 presidia present (Saude Saibin, Aquem, Boddveanchi Rannie, Aquem and Grace Saibin, Margao).

Fr. Leslie Gomes, Asst. to the Parish Priest welcomed the officers of the commitium, Bro. Alwyn Noronha and Bro. Thomee Noronha and all the members present for the study. 40 members were present for the same.

The session was divided into two parts wherein one was allotted to Bro. Alwyn and the topic was Mullave Kaide Legiao-achi Buniad. Read more

Tadev: Devache kurpen bhorlolo dis tuka anvddetam, Simao Titiv.

Simao:  Tuka-i anvddetam Baba Tadev. Zaitea kallan ami meutat nhoim? Tumi sogllim borim asat mhonn sozmotam.

Tadev:  Ami asanv borim. Hanv thoddo kall Goeam bhair gel’lom, taka lagun tuka mellonk vell mellunk nam. Tum koso asa?

Simao:  Hanv asam boro, punn hea disamnim bhirantin dis sarche poddtat.

Tadev: Kosli bhirant Titiv?

Simao:  Rosteancher kitle-xech obsoeg ghoddtat. Roste surokxit nant. Tea bhair kitle khun ani maramari. Ghorant ravonkui suseg asonam, zalear rosteancher bhonvonkui surokxa mellonam.   Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,

Henry Ford oxem mhonnta, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Konn mhonnta hinch utram Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909), Amerikacho boroinnar, kovi, itihaskar ani pastor hannem mhonnlolim mhonn. Him utram konnem mhonnlolim tem gorjechem nhoi, punn voilim utram konn jielo ani jieta tem gorjechem. 

Aquem-cho atam choltolo Parish Pastoral Council fattlim sumar panch vorsam jielo ani jieta. Tea vorsa soglleo somudaieo vo wards novean nemle ani goroz thoim vaddoile. Thoim somudaieche fuddari vinchun kaddle ani tea uprant tanchi akarnni (formation) kelea uprant anik ek pautt tanche modem venchnnuk korun  Parish Council ghoddunk vangddi vinchun kaddle. Tim sogllim challis (40) vangddi aslim. Thoddim eka-mekak legun ollkhonaslim. Tim sogllim ekthaim ieun tannim survat keli. Coming together was the beginning.  Read more