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

As the Christmas season approaches, a significant part of the Christian calendar known as Advent takes center stage. Advent, which means “coming” in Latin, is a time of preparation and waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, both in commemorating His birth and anticipating His second coming. The origin of Advent dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries, when Christians began to set aside a period of time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. The length of Advent varies, but it generally consists of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. Each Sunday, a candle is lit on Advent wreaths, symbolizing the growing light of Christ coming into the world.

The themes of Advent are traditionally represented by four different candles: hope, peace, joy, and love. These candles serve as reminders of the waiting and preparation involved in this season. Each week, one candle is lit, and readings from the Bible are shared that reflect on the corresponding theme. Read more

FEAST OF:-
THE NATIVITY OF JESUS – 25TH DECEMBER
THE HOLY INNOCENTS – 28TH DECEMBER

There is no more ancient a feast day for the Church than the Nativity of Jesus or Christmas Day. It has a major role in the Liturgical Calendar. In fact the Liturgical Calendar begins with Advent, a time of preparation for the Celebration of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Day itself and the whole week of Christmas is about giving and Receiving Gifts. We think this is a culture, but it is something else. We are giving gifts at Christmas because on that day God the Father gifted us HIS ONLY SON. When we celebrate Christmas we are celebrating this Greatest Gift of all – a Father’s Gift to us of His only begotten son!! Read more

In my abstract imagination, I visualized that it must have happened somehow and somewhat like this. When the ten lepers heard about Jesus and his ability to do miracles, they must have made up their mind to go and meet Him. They had heard about His popularity because He had done many extraordinary things. He had cured blindness, deafness, restored speech and brought back people from the dead. Although reluctant, because hatred between Jews and Samaritans was fierce and long-standing issue those days, they nevertheless must have decided to go and meet Him. They had nothing to lose.

Jesus as we know had lot of followers and it must have been very difficult to get closer to Him. But in their minds, they had a plan that if people see ten together, they’ll make way. And, even if they didn’t, they thought of  calling  His name in a loud voice and He would hear them. This faith had gained them 50 points outright. Read more

Goencho Saib is a name coined for St. Francis Xavier by his many devotees in and around Goa. Born in Navarre, Spain, he became one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

St. Francis Xavier arrived in Goa in 1542 and spent a significant amount of time in the region. He played a crucial role in establishing Christianity in various parts of Asia, including India, Malacca (present-day Malaysia), and Japan. His missionary work had a lasting impact in these areas, especially in Goa.

Early Life – Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506 in the castle of Javier, Navarre, Spain. He was the youngest son of an impoverished nobleman, who had died while Francis was still a child. Francis grew up with the clear determination to repair the damage to his family’s fortunes. His plans envisioned dreams of earthly ambition. In the end, instead of becoming a wealthy patron to tenants and soldiers, he became the patron of missionaries. God restored for all ages the family’s honour by making him a legend and a saint. Read more