After the hussle and bussle, the dust has finally settled down. For sometime now, the buzz revolved around only one topic, i.e. ELECTIONS for our Goa Assembly on last Valentine’s day, February 14th.After a lot of debates and scrutiny of all the candidates, all of us have finally made our choice and voted. I am sure many of you were in a dilemma, not to find a suitable candidate of your choice but finally compelled to choose between evils. Many a times, presence of an honest and sincere candidate evokes lukewarm response as people feel, supporting them could lead to helping the worst of the lot due to splitting of votes With so much of party-hopping and switching of affiliation like the chameleons, people were angry and disgusted with the aspiring candidates. Self-interest and greed for money and power was evident to such an extent that several constituencies had candidates in double figures. So many candidates contested as Independents, solely because they were denied party tickets to contest. In spite of dwindling interest and contempt towards the present corrupt politics, a good percentage of voters came out to vote and exercised their democratic right. Hats off to you because in the end even one vote can make a difference. It is said that,”We do not get government by the majority, but we get government by the majority who participate”.The fate of all the candidates is now sealed in the EVM machines and the draw of this Electoral Lottery will be held on 10th March,2022.Hope and pray that the right candidates get elected, in order to give us a clean, fair and efficient, people-friendly Government for the next five years.

Although many of the Churches/Chapels remain closed for public, due to the virus, we the parishioners of Aquem, were fortunate that our Church was opened, a couple of weeks back, this giving us the opportunity and satisfaction of celebrating the Novenas and Feast of our patron, St. Sebastian. Let us continue to exercise caution, as the Corona virus continues to play havoc in one form or the other. I wish all of you and your family a very happy Feast. May our patron continue to protect us from all sicknesses, specially this corona virus and intercede for us in our times of distress.

In spite of all odds, we have managed to bring out this Special Issue of our PORMOLL on the occasion of our Feast. This would not be possible without your generous support. We are indebted to you, my fellow Parishioners, Sponsors/Advertisers for contributing towards this Issue. I also thank all the writers, specially the regular ones, for giving us your thought provoking articles. A big THANK YOU and may God bless you abundantly.

2nd March,2022(Ash Wednesday)marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, which ends as soon as Mass of our Lord’s Supper starts on Maundy Thursday, April 14.This is followed by a new liturgical season: TRIDUUM.

In the words of our Pope Francis, ‘In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the ONE who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross.’ It’s time for repentance and reconciliation.

Wishing you a blessed Lenten Season!!

Until we meet again

Felix Dias
Pormoll Editor