ASH WEDNESDAY

After the Feast of Christmas, one of the most popular days of the year for us Catholics to attend Mass, is Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of the Season of Lent. It is also a puzzling day of the year. We do things which are strange to non-Christians. We attend Mass in large numbers and we have ashes imposed on our forehead in the shape of a cross.

Ash Wednesday is 40 days before Easter. It is the day when one needs to realize that there is something with me; I need to change. This awareness comes with a need to repent; a sense of shame that I have done something wrong; that there is something good in me that is not being honoured. Ash Wednesday is the day when I look into my heart and say, “there is something wrong with my heart – I am not supposed to be like this”. Read more

St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, is an important figure in the Christian tradition. Although not much is known about him from the biblical accounts, his role in the life of Jesus and his devotion to God have made him a revered and beloved saint for millions of Christians around the world. According to the Gospels, Joseph was a carpenter from the town of Nazareth. He was betrothed to Mary when, one day, she revealed to him that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and that her child would be the Son of God. Initially, Joseph was troubled by this news, but an angel appeared to him in a dream, affirming Mary’s innocence and instructing Joseph to take her as his wife. Read more

We believe that the Eucharist is the ‘Source and Summit of the Christian Life ‘in that the Eucharist is the culmination of God’s saving actions in Jesus Christ and of our worship and union with Him who leads us to the Father in the Power of the Holy Spirit. The word ‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word ‘Eucharistein’ meaning Thanksgiving. Jesus gave thanks at the Last Supper, at which He instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of His Body and Blood that perpetuates and continues His Sacrifice on the Cross, through the ages. Read more

Saliva, a thick, colourless, opalescent fluid that is constantly present in the mouth is composed of mainly water, proteins, mucous, minerals, salts and enzymes.

Saliva is produced by three major glands i.e. the parotid, the sub – mandibular gland and the sub-lingual. And a few other minor salivary glands.

Our saliva is basically protective in nature. It exerts a major influence on tartar formation by mechanically cleaning all exposed oral surfaces. It buffers acids produced by bacteria and controls bacterial activity. Saliva contains numerous antibacterial factors and antibodies. Read more

God enters the temple not as a powerful ruler but as a little child in his Mother’s arms. The King of glory comes not with a show of human force and power, not with a great fanfare and noise, not causing fright and destruction. He comes into the temple as he came into the world, as an infant in silence, in poverty, and in the company of the poor and the wise.” – Pope John Paul II

On February 2, we observe the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, honouring Jesus Christ’s presentation in the Temple when He was a young child. Jesus’ presentation in the Temple reflects how He  fulfills the Old Covenant. According to Old Testament law, a sacrifice had to be offered in the Temple when a child was consecrated to the Lord. Mary and Joseph  honour this tradition, as described in Luke 2:22-24 Read more

Tadev:  Simao Titiv, hea sanjechea vellar, khoim vetai?

Simao:  Baba Tadev, hanv Moddgonvam, Lohia Moidanar vetam, kiteak thoim ek jahir sobha zaunchi asa. .

Tadev:   Sobha, ani kosli?

Simao:  Zannai Tadev, aiz Janer-achi, sollavi (16vi) tarikh ani aichea disa, 1967 vorsa, venchnnuko zaleleo Goencho fuddar tharaunk.

Tadev:   Venchnnuko kosleo?     Read more

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