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At the Kantaram Lharam event held on 30th Jan 2024, Mr. Felix Dias & Mrs. Antonette Fernndes were felicitated. This was their introduction:
We go around looking for inspiration in celebrities and famous people. Cliched isn’t it!! Why not get inspired by someone who is relatable and part of our very own Parish.
Felix Dias
He is a benign, yet a zealous personality. Firstly, he is and has been very passionately for a very long time the editor of our church bulletin “Pormoll”. On that account, very wise and knowledgeable, because the same wisdom reflects in his writings and editing. He was also an ardent member of the Cofre Committee and an ever present, ever willing, go-to person for all the church affairs. Read more

Many things come and go. Some things come and stay. Very few things come and create strong memories for life time. One such thing was the solo and duet singing competition organized by the St. Sebastian Church. On 27th November 2022, the Parish Pastoral Council organized a singing competition for the villages around Margao and few other selected parishes. With the due help and encouragement from the priests in the different parishes the organisers managed to group in something around 50 contestants. Of which 28 for solo singing and 10 for duet singing were selected after the audition for the finals. With no previous experience of organizing such an event it was a good success by any standards. A concept of singing competition in the town was created.
At the beginning of this year, seeing that there are enquiries and a strong demand to have a similar singing competition, a short meeting of likeminded parishioners was held on 1st January this year. A core committee was formed and the important issues like finance, publicity, solo & duet singing entries, musicians and booking of all necessary personnel was sorted out. The finals of the singing competition was fixed for 30th January 2024.
All publicity was effectively done through social media. Within ten days there were 96 confirmed entries. The organizing committee had to close the acceptance of the entries. The audition was held on 22nd January and the rehearsals took place on 26th January. The grand finals were held on 30th January with an audience of over thousand people. There were 26 finalists in solo singing and 6 in duet singing.
This year’s solo singing winners were:
1.Aarya da Costa from Gogol, Margao
2. Juella Fernandes from Seraulim
3. Jennifer Fernando from Aquem
Duet singing winners were:
1. Christie Barreto and Antush Pires from Navelim
2. Denzil Rodrigues & Clarina Fernandes from Dramapur
1st Prize – Rs. 15,000, 2nd Prize Rs. 10,000 and 3rd Prize Rs. 7,500 were for the solo singing. Cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 7,500 were for first and second prize for duet singing respectively. This year Mr. Senon de Sousa and his group conducted and provided scintillating music for the melodious singers.
This year Mr. Felix Dias and Mrs. Antonette Fernandes were felicitated with a shawl, plaque and a gift. The felicitation was more out of gratefulness for all their life long help and assistance in church activities. Ms. Ashodi Ferro praised and thanked Mr. Felix Dias and Mrs. Antonette Fernandes on behalf of all St. Sebastian parishioners.
The whole singing competition was organized under the leadership of Parish Priest Fr. Andrew Pereira and project coordinator Mr. Desmond Gomes and assisted by enthusiastic core group and parish volunteers.
A big thanks to all the valued donors, singers and persons involved directly and indirectly in the project, which was a big success.

Mogall Firgozkaramno,

Janeracho mhoino soglleank kuxalkaiecho ani mhotvacho. Hea novea vorsachea poilea mhoineant sogllem novem suru zaunk vo korunk ek soeg meuta. Bhitorlea-bhitor ek novo nett koso zaun ieta. Zaiteo vostu novea vorsak korcheo mhonn tharaitat.

Janer-acho mhoino hem nanv Roman God Ianus vo Janus hache velean ailam. Hea Devak don mukham (faces) asat. Ek mukha-velean ani dusrem fattlean. Fattlem mukha jivitachem fattlem polleun (past) niallunk ani fuddlem mukh ietolea vostuk adim fuddem (future) polleunk. Read more

The joyful Christmas week ends on the last day of the calendar year signalling the end of the old. The year 2023 has touched the finishing line after it’s run of 365 days and we are now ushering in a new chapter of life. As the old chapter makes way for a new one, it is time to reminisce all the good memories experienced throughout the year along with reliving the achievements and success. It also represents the time to reflect on all mistakes committed as well as the challenges overcome by us not forgetting to thank our Almighty God for all the favours granted during the year. With this roller coaster ride down memory lane, we also make a promise to become a better version of ourselves in the coming year. We are also encouraged to work harder while striving to lead an exemplary life. The arrival of a new year truly inspires and motivates us to dream of a fascinating and a happy tomorrow. You will all agree that the first idea that comes to our mind when hearing the term ‘New Year’ is the resolution. It is an aim that people decide to achieve or maintain in the coming year but in the hectic life that we all lead, this resolution takes a back seat. However, the new year signifies the idea of renewal or starting afresh. As the great saying goes, it is never too late to start all over again. And as we welcome the New Year 2024, what better way of reviving a resolution that was long overdue? Let’s strive to achieve those long lost dreams and aspirations while ushering in a new chapter of life, this being an auspicious occasion to turn over a new leaf. Read more

1st January 2024 – no one needs to be told its New Year’s Day; the whole world knows it. More importantly, many do not know that it is the Solemnity of Holy Mary, Mother of God. This feast comes one week after Christmas. We are looking at Mary who gave birth to Jesus at Christmas. Sometimes we tend to forget the woman who suffered through child-birth; who shed tears to bear the Child Jesus into this world.

During the Christmas week, as we look at the Nativity scene, we see the sublime, the beautiful and the gorgeous. But there is a more real side that is not captured in our Cribs. It is of Mary living in a filthy stable among creatures and beasts. Imagine the disgusting stench of the place. We can’t walk by the droppings of one cow, without distancing ourselves. Mary stayed in the manger with the newborn child – she had nothing else; She needed nothing else. The only one she had, is the one she needed in order to be happy i.e. GOD, her SON! It takes a great deal of Trust to abandon oneself to God’s Providence in such circumstances. Read more

In some countries, Epiphany is as important as Christmas Day. The Epiphany is celebrated on January 6. It marks the day Jesus was revealed to the world. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Epiphany.

The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means “to shine upon,” “to manifest,” or “to make known. “This Feast of the Epiphany is on Thursday, January 6th, the last day after the 12 days of Christmas.

The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Saviour of the world. Epiphany -also known as Three Kings’ Day- is a Christian feast which falls on 6th January. It is a special date for Christians, as it’s when people celebrate how a star led the Magi -also known as the Three Kings or the Wise Men- to visit the baby Jesus after he’d been born.
Epiphany, also called Theophany, is a celebration of God manifesting as the baby Jesus and revealing Himself to the world. The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. Read more

What is pedaitric physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists restore people to near normal (normal) function through training or therapy. There are various specialities within the field of physiotherapy, one of them being Pediatric Physiotherapy. Pediatric physiotherapy concerns the therapeutic management and care of babies, children and young adults from birth until 19 years. These therapists offer expertise on child development, treatment of childhood conditions and disability. We train the young ones to achieve their optimal level of function and maximize independence. Read more

One of the powerful and enduring quotes from the Preamble of the Constitution of India is:

“We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship; Equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all, Fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.”

This excerpt encapsulates the fundamental ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that form the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution, marking the country’s transition to a sovereign democratic republic.

Although India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, it took almost three years to finalize the Constitution, leading to the delay in celebrating Republic Day on January 26, 1950. Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,

Dezembracho mhoino mhollear soglloch kuxalkaiecho. Hoi? Khorench?

Konnak ghoddie hoi mhonn disot. Konnak ghoddie nam disot.

Karann mhollear Dezembrachea mhoineant zaiteo kariavolli, nach, jevnnam-khannam, kazaram ani festam. Tea bhair nhesunk anik chodduch. Oxem astanam, hem sogllem chintun konn ghoddie odikuch kuxal vo konn ghoddie anikui dukhi zata astolo.

Eleanor Roosevelt oxem mhonnta, “Happiness is not a goal…it’s a by-product of a life well-lived.” Read more

As a parishioner of Aquem being able to share some happy thoughts on an anniversary every year holds a special place in our hearts. Yes, it was the month of December of the year 1999 when our cherished dream of having a Parish Bulletin was fulfilled and ‘PORMOLL’ saw the light of the day. It’s been a long journey of 24 years of unwavering support and good wishes coming from one and all. I am privileged to be associated with this magazine since its inception. Thanks for joining us on this beautiful journey!! Here’s to many more years!! Read more