St. Sebastian Church

St. Mary Magdalene is one of the most inspiring women in the Bible. Her life shows us how God’s love can transform a person completely. She teaches us about faith, courage, and deep devotion to Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene came from a town called Magdala, near the Sea of Galilee. The Bible tells us that Jesus healed her by casting out seven demons (Luke 8:2). After that, she followed Him faithfully, along with a few other women who helped in His ministry. Her healing was not just physical, but spiritual. Jesus gave her a new life, and in return, she gave Him her heart.

Our Lady Our Mother Mary has many names and one of them is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This title commemorates her role as Patroness of the Carmelite Order revered by Catholics all over the world.

The devotion is rooted in the biblical story of Elijah’s triumph on Mount Carmel, the mountain in Israel significant for the biblical story of Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal, where fire from heaven validated the one true God, and the tradition of hermits who lived on the mountain in the late 12th and early to mid-13th century who thereafter built a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

“Age is a gift, a beautiful gift to be cherished. A gift that offers us memories, reminders of how fortunate we’ve been through the years and of all the people who have blessed the journey we’ve taken. As seniors, we’ve lived and learned, we’ve laughed and cried, we’ve loved and been loved in return. And there is still more to come! “
(Bishop O’Connell’s message)

In the Jubilee year, the Day, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.

As Pope St. John Paul II said: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

Every year on July 20, communities around the world observe Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Day—a time to reflect on the natural, holistic, and ethical approach to family planning that respects both the human body and the dignity of life. Rooted in education, science, and a deep respect for human fertility, NFP is more than just a method of birth regulation; it is a lifestyle grounded in self-knowledge, responsibility, and communication.

If you’re looking to live a long life on earth, there’s a valuable teaching from Jesus Christ that can guide you. As recorded in Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This passage suggests that those who serve Jesus faithfully and efficiently will be valued and retained on earth for a long time, as there is little work for them in heaven.

To become a disciple of Jesus and reap the benefits of a long life, one must obey the Ten Commandments and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Jesus promises “fullness of life” to those who follow him, as stated in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Iere, Iere Pausa, Tula ditam paisa, paisa zalo khotto ani Paus ailo motto. Oxi amche modem ek mhonnim asa. Vell bodollo ani kallui bodollo ghimacho kall somplo ani pausacho kall suru. Ghormi zatali ti sompli ani xitoll vatavoronn suru zalem. Zadd pedd sukem diso tem atam jivall zalem. Zomin pausan fugli ani hirvem hirvem, tonn disunk laglem. Zadd pedd jivall zalem ani nisorg sogllench hansunk laglem Pritvechem rup soglem jivem zalem. Suttio sompun atam Bhurgim Iskolak ani Collegik vosunk laglim. Toxench novem Ghonvllik voros suru zalem. Xikxonnik mhollar Vidiarti Iskol kobar korun Collegint paul martat toxem Xikxok anchi adoll bodollnim zata. Toxich Firgojent vaurtolea Ghonvllianchi adoll bodollnim zata. Konknnin ek mhunnim asa Ailolo Monis vochunkuch zai. Thodde zaitea kallan zalear dusre thoddeach tempan. Fr. Josely ani Fr.Agnelo, tumche Iadnik ekach vorsan vetat tori astana Gonvllik vaur korunk zai aslo tho voros bor kelo. Amkam Gonvllik vaur korunk zaiteamnim borpur adar dilo soglleank tumkam nanv ghe nastanam Dev borem korum mhonnttanv.

Uniqueness of the month of June is the numerous changes taking shape in various aspects of our lives. Change in class- be it in school or college, change in or shift of residence for various reasons or change of Priests in different Parishes are normally the events unfolding in June and this year too is not different.

The sudden and unexpected news of the transfer of both our Parish Priests, Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues and Fr. Josely Rocha came as a rude shock to all of us. Last June, we had welcomed both, Fr. Agnelo and Fr. Josely to our Parish and now within just a year we have to bid them adieu.

Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in Christian history, where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ disciples, empowering them for global mission and witness. This event fulfilled Jesus’ promise and marked the beginning of the church’s mission to spread the gospel to all nations. The passage highlights the significance of Acts 2 (Pentecost) in light of Jesus’ instructions in Acts 1:4-8.

The Key points include:

1. Waiting for the Holy Spirit: Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Father’s promise, the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of this empowerment for their ministry and witness. This waiting period was crucial in preparing them for the significant task ahead.
2. The baptism with the Holy Spirit: Jesus’ promise of baptism with the Holy Spirit was a pivotal moment, empowering the disciples for effective ministry, witness, and service, marking a new era in their relationship with God and their role in spreading the gospel.
3. Power for Witness: The disciples were commissioned to be Jesus’ witnesses, starting in Jerusalem, then expanding to Judea, Samaria, and ultimately to the remotest parts of the earth, fulfilling God’s plan to reach all nations through the gospel.
4. Dependency on the Spirit: The parallel between Jesus’ ministry and the disciples’ ministry highlights the essential role of the Holy Spirit’s power in fulfilling God’s work, emphasizing that both Jesus and the disciples relied on divine empowerment to accomplish their mission.

St. Anthony of Padua, whose feast we celebrate on 13th June, is one of the most popular saints of the Catholic Church, and a member of the Franciscan Order. Anthony was born in 1195 (13 years after St. Francis) in Lisbon, Portugal and given the name of Fernando at Baptism. His parents, Martin and Mary Bulhom, belonged to one of the prominent families of the city.

St. Anthony died in Padua, Italy on 13th June 1231. He was only 35 years of age when he died. He was one of the most quickly canonized saints in the Church History, being canonized by Pope Gregory IX, less than a year after his death. He was proclaimed ‘Doctor of the Church’ by Pope Pius XII on 16th January 1946. He was well-known for his powerful preaching, teaching, knowledge of Scripture and immense love for the poor and the sick. His body was exhumed 32 years after his death. It was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt; so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.

Every year on June 24th, we celebrate the birth of Saint John the Baptist. This is a very special day because apart from Jesus and Mary, John is the only other person whose birth we honor with a feast. That’s because John had a very important job, to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus.

John’s story began with a miracle. His parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were very old and had no children. One day, while Zechariah was praying in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13). Zechariah found this hard to believe, and because of his doubt, he lost his voice until the baby was born.