Happenings

Birthday reminds us that life is worth celebrating.
The Parishioners of Aquem got together to celebrate the 31st birthday of our Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Leslie Gomes on the 25th of March 2024, beginning with the Holy Eucharist, that was offered by Fr. Leslie Gomes, along with our Parish Priest Fr. Andrew Pereira thanking the Almighty God for another fruitful year.

After the Holy Eucharist, the large gathering assembled outside the church to celebrate the gift of life of Fr. Leslie Gomes. Fr. Leslie shared his happiness and good fortune by cutting and sharing the cake with all around. The parish committees showered him with gifts as a token of their love and appreciation, towards all that he had been doing for the parishioners of Aquem. Read more

The Most Holy Trinity (26th May)

 

In Catholicism, the Most Holy Trinity is a fundamental belief that expresses the nature of God as three divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is often described as three distinct persons, yet one divine being—God. The Catholic understanding of the Trinity is derived from both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The Trinity is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but its concept can be found throughout the New Testament. For example, at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, all three persons of the Trinity are revealed: the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is being baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). Read more

Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday (also called Whit Sunday) is the 50th day after Easter Sunday. The date each year depends on Easter Sunday; hence it is a moveable feast, that is, the date in not fixed. This year we celebrate it on Sunday, 19th of May.

On Pentecost Sunday, the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, on the Apostles and other disciples, after the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. The two signs of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were (a) the sound of strong rushing wind that filled the whole house and (b) tongues as if of fire which parted and came to rest upon each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak. This marked the beginning of the Christian Church’s mission to proclaim Jesus to the world. Read more

Message of Our Lady of Fatima

The story begins in the village of Fatima, Portugal, on May 13, 1917. On that pivotal day near that tiny village, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, appeared to three young peasant children: Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia; ages 10, 9 and 7. As was the custom, these youngsters were tending their family’s sheep when “a Lady all in white, more brilliant than the sun… indescribably beautiful,” standing above a bush, appeared to the youngsters. From May through October 1917, the Lady appeared and spoke to the children on the 13th day of each month. She delivered a series of messages during that time to these children which can be summarised with three invitations: Read more

Celebrating St. Joseph, the Worker: A Feast of Humility and Labour

Step through the threshold and enter the carpenters shop – the sacred space where the most loving and patient of men taught the boy Jesus.

Are you willing to admit that you are broken and hurt? Yes?

Through your hurting and in your humility, look upon our foster father – St. Joseph with a new heart and yearn for his love. Put aside the disordered longings which controlled your life. And set your mind on the goal of becoming the person you want to be. And when you accomplish this through sweat, toil and a firm resolve, you will become a true child of St. Joseph the worker, you will become – the “Carpenters Child”. Read more

Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

One of the central themes of the feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus is the kingship of Christ, and the theological implication is that the Ascension was the final redemptive act conferring participation in the divine life on all who are members of Christ. The feast is celebrated on the fortieth day after resurrection of Christ that falls on a Thursday but to obtain maximum participation from the lay faithful it is celebrated on the following Sunday which this year is on 12th of May 2024.

Let us have an insight to the events that happened during the last weeks that Jesus was on Earth. Read more

Headache-free summer

A rise in temperature makes you hot-headed not just figuratively but scientifically. You’d find a lot of people complaining of shooting pain and pounding headaches as the temperatures begin to soar. The combination of heat, dehydration, and changes in routine can contribute to these pesky pains. Here are some easy tips to keep those summer time headaches at bay: Read more

Editorial – April 2024

Recently, on 30th January, our Church successfully organised it’s 2nd edition of the singing competition,”Kantaram Lharam”. On that momentous day, it was a great honour for me to have been felicitated and given accolades and memento. I am truly obliged and humbled for this great honour and recognition of my services by our Parish. Unfortunately I could not express my feelings and gratitude during the course of the programme. Nonetheless, I am greatly honoured and I wish to express my deep gratefulness to our Parish Priest, Fr.Andrew Pereira and his Core-committee for felicitating me for my services rendered to our Parish, specially as the Editor of our Parish Bulletin, ‘PORMOLL’. Although music runs in our family, I was drafted to start singing in the then Chapel by my late brother, Cosme. He was instrumental in requesting our late Choir master, Mestre Paulo Da Costa, to train me to sing ‘Veronica’ song for our Santos Passos, when I was a small boy. I recollect those good old days when this late Choir master, who wanted perfection, insisted on me singing and practising by standing on a round table in his spacious sitting room. Thanks to him I became a regular Choir member and there was no looking back and of course now, the rest is history. Read more

ST. STANISLAUS

St. Stanislaus was born in Szczepanów, Poland, in 1030. He was ordained a priest and later became the bishop of Kraków. He was known for his piety, humility, and dedication to serving the Church. St. Stanislaus was an outspoken critic of the King Bolesław II, who committed various acts of injustice and immorality. When the king refused to repent, the bishop excommunicated him. The feast day of St. Stanislaus is celebrated on April 11th. It is a significant day in Poland and is observed with processions, prayers, and special Masses. On this day, Catholics honor the memory of St. Stanislaus and seek his intercession for courage, righteousness, and guidance in their own lives. Read more

The significance of MAUNDY THURSDAY

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday and is a part of the Holy Week. It holds great significance, a crucial place during the Holy Week which starts on Palm Sunday and comes to a climax on Easter Sunday.

On Maundy Thursday we remember and celebrate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His Twelve Apostles, when He established the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Priesthood. The day is observed with great solemnity and reverence in churches worldwide, with special services. Read more