St. Sebastian Church

July 27th 2025 was indeed a blessed day for us all. The Catechetical Unit of St. Sebastian Church, Aquem, organised the Grandparents Day Celebration in reverence, with a solemn high Mass and a befitting get together, thereafter. It was a bright day and the parish congregation prayerfully upheld the day’s celebration, for grandparents, during the solemn Mass at 9 a.m. which was followed by the blessing of the grandparents by our Parish Priest, Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes with sprinkling of Holy Water for God’s glory.

Being the first celebration for us catechists, we looked forward to making this event a memorable one. The thorough planning of the day’s programme was well drafted, planned and executed by our Catechists’ Executive Committee along with the other Catechists in-charges, who meticulously looked into the minute details of the arrangements, in making the day a grand success. The artistic backdrop was done by the creative Catechists. The whole hearted cooperation and dedication of the catechists, along with the parents who took time to bring their children for practice regularly, deserves acknowledgement and appreciation.

As a Birthday Gift, what shall we offer to our Heavenly mother? I believe, one of the best gifts is that, we tell Mother Mary, we are convinced of the validity of the Catholic Church’s teaching, that ‘Mother Mary is, Ever Virgin’. One of the requirements for our conviction is that, at least one valid proof is required in the Bible. Either as a direct proof or as an indirect proof.

1) One indirect proof in the Bible, that Mother Mary was a Virgin, prior to her marriage with St. Joseph, is a claim by herself to the Angel, that, she is a virgin. Let us read, the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 26 to 38. May I quote here, verse 34. Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” We can accept this claim from Mother Mary, and believe that, she is telling the truth. Because, here, she doesn’t have the need to tell a lie.

In our Catholic faith, we often speak of Jesus’ humility, how He was born in a stable, walked among the poor, and gave His life on the cross. But there is also another side to Jesus’ story: His exaltation. This means that after His suffering and death, God raised Him up in glory. Jesus, once humiliated and rejected, is now lifted high, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

This is what we celebrate when we talk about the Exaltation of the Lord. It is not just a feast day on the Church calendar, like the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14. It’s a deep truth that touches our hearts: God always brings light out of darkness, and victory out of the cross.

(A Celebration of Tradition and Heritage)

Every year, the Catechetical Unit organizes a competition for parents soon after 15th August, focusing on the presentation of traditional sweet dishes. This initiative has helped keep the taste and memories of Goan sweets alive across generations.

This year, however, the Unit introduced something new – “Purvozanchem Daiz” (Heritage of Our Ancestors). Instead of limiting the celebration to parents and sweet dishes, the day was expanded to involve children, youth, and parish groups in showcasing Goan traditions through cultural activities, songs, dances, and games.

On Sunday, 17th August, the youth of St. Sebastian Parish, Aquem, undertook a refreshing and adventurous trek to the scenic Savri Waterfall located in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. A total of 28 parish youth enthusiastically participated in this memorable outing.

The group was guided by PPC Moderator Mrs. Sucorin Fernandes and PPC Joint Secretary Mr. Adlete Mascarenhas, while the spiritual mentor, Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes, celebrated the morning Sunday Mass and prayed for the youth.

The youth group set out from St. Sebastian Church at 9:00 a.m. and reached the trek base point at 10:30 a.m. The program commenced with a short prayer service at the venue, invoking God’s blessings for a safe and joyful trek.

The Parish Priest emphasized that the Solemnity of Assumption of th Mary which is celebrated on 15 August that it be celebrated with the
same importance and attendance at Masses just as on Sunday.

The catechist Co-Ordinator, Miss Savion Fernandes put forth the programme of Traditional Day to be held on August 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.

As a part of ongoing Jubilee celebration 2025, it was decided earlier that the interested members would be going for a jubilee pilgrimage, visiting St Jerome church Mapusa and St Christopher church, Tivim. The Parish Priest reminded the PPC members to give the names of the parishioners from their ward who would want to join the same by the 15 of August 2025. Transport would be arranged .The bus will be leaving from the church compound at 1.30 p.m.

Agostache 15 tarker amkam Bharat
desache Kristi porjek ek dupett khuxalkai -echo dis: eke vatten Ankvar Mariechokuddi-otmea soit sorg-proves ani dusre vatten amcheadesache svotontrtaiecho dis.

Heam donui ithiasik ghodditam modhem ek kherit sombondh amkam disun ieta. Tankam dogaim zonnank ami AVOI mhunn pachartanv:
Ankvar MARIAJezuchea sorv pattlavdarank sorginchi Avoi zalear BHARAT dês, hea mahan prantant axil’lea mon’xank ek Avoi zata. Sangchem mhollear amkam, Jezuchea pattlavdarank ekuch nhoi punn panch avoiô asat: