St. Sebastian Church

Each year on June 29, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul—two towering apostles who helped lay the foundation of the Christian faith. Though they came from different backgrounds and had different missions, yet both these saints are united in their martyrdom, legacy, and, most importantly, their unwavering hope in Christ.

Hope in Human Weakness: The Journey of Peter

St. Peter, a humble fisherman, was called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men.” He was impulsive, brave, and flawed —qualities we often see in ourselves. His denial of Jesus during the Passion is a reminder of our own human weakness. Yet, after the Resurrection, Jesus forgives Peter with unconditional love and entrusts Peter with the care of His Church, saying, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17).

Maiacho mhoino purumentacho mhoino zaun asa. Sogllo lokh pausa panneak sugur korunk zaitem Purmentachea festak Gheun dovortalim Zaum tho tandull ghotto vo Mirsango, ollsannem, Para ani Lonnchem ani pausak lagu zateleo torekvar vostu.

Ghoramche nholle portun saf vo nitholl korunk zai asle, Vanxe vo Kambi piddear zalear theo kaddun dusreo Kambi ghalunk zai asleo.Ho ghoracho vaur korta astanam pausallo lagim pavla oxem distalem.Sogllo lokh toyarek lagtalo saf sufai kortalo oxe toren amchem jivit choltalem.

Vorsam zaun ghelim ani atam vellacho orthuch bodol’lo. Atam khuimchai kallar paus ieta ani paus ieunk zai aslo tednam koddok koddok voth marta. Koslem koddok voth khaun xim poddtalem tem atam sogllem bodol’lam. Atam moniskulluch bodol’la mhonnllear chukichem zaumchenam. Adim Aimori ghantt vazli mhonnttoch sogllo lokh ap-aplea ghora portotalo punn atam mudar zalam, atam Aimori zata tednam ghorantlim bair sortat.

Following the 40 days of abstinence during Lent, it was truly a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, Easter, one of the most important celebrations in the Catholic faith, was not just about attending the Easter vigil and midnight Mass or munching on Easter eggs but to many it is an occasion to follow their own age old traditions. It was a day of eating and making merry with family and friends.

Children enjoyed the breaking of Easter eggs after doing the egg-hunt, with some having their names designed on the eggs artistically. It was a reflection of some cherished traditions, both past and present, those that make Easter truly special.

On May 1st, the Church commemorates St Joseph the Worker, celebrating not just the foster father of Jesus, but also the dignity of human labour. Instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955, this feast day aligned the Church’s teachings with the global observance of Labour Day, offering St Joseph as a model for workers around the world.

In the Gospels, Joseph is a quiet presence—no recorded words, only actions. He is described simply as a “just man” and a carpenter. Yet, it is through his daily toil, his obedience, and his unwavering commitment to his family that he participates in God’s plan of salvation. Joseph reminds us that the value of work is not in its prestige but in the spirit of service and love with which it is done.

From a very young age we have learnt to make the Sign of the Cross on ourselves and we have taught our children to do the same. The Cross holds the most prominent place in our churches. We ornament our homes, cars, our necks etc. with a cross. We have crosses everywhere in Goa, and we honour them. We exalt the Cross because it reveals to us the passionate Love of God the Father for us. While we were still sinners, He sent His only Begotten Son to suffer and die for us, to save us from the clutches of Satan, and bring us into His heavenly kingdom.

In Goa, we know of the Holy Cross Churches that celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross. They are packed with faith-filled Christians attending the entire novena leading to the feast, singing joyous hymns, to celebrate the feast. It is most surprising that we celebrate the feast of an Instrument used for the killing of the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Does this make sense? It is important that we take a fresh look at the Cross, in a way that will help us to appreciate the value of the Cross and understand better its role in the struggles of our daily life.

May 13 is the Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, to the three shepherd children -Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, in the small village of Fatima in Portugal, six times between May 13 and October 13, in 1917.

The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated annually on May 13th to commemorate the First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three shepherd children.

On the 13th day of the month of Our Lady, May 1917, an apparition of ‘a woman all in white mantle, edged with gold with a Rosary in her hand, a resplendent figure, more brilliant than the sun’ presented herself to the three children when they were tending the sheep in the field. The woman asked them to pray and devote themselves to the Holy Trinity and to pray the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the First World War. She also revealed that the children would suffer, especially from the unbelief of their friends and families, and that the younger children, Francisco and Jacinta would be taken to heaven very soon but Lucia would live longer in order to spread her message and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.

Saint Matthias replaced Judas as the twelfth Apostle, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Saint Matthias is the patron saint of carpenters, tailors, those with smallpox, and in prayers for perseverance and for hope.

His feast was originally celebrated on February 24 (or February 25 in leap years) but in 1969 was moved to May 14 so as to be celebrated outside of Lent. He is often seen pictured with an axe; this is because it is believed that he was beheaded by an axe.

St. Matthias was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God under the guidance of St. Simeon.

Every year on May 24th, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. This special day reminds us that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is also our mother. She helps us, prays for us, and lovingly leads us closer to her Son. This year, we also celebrate the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, a joyful time to reflect on Mary’s place in our faith and how we can grow closer to her in everyday life.

Did you know that the title “Help of Christians” was made famous by Saint John Bosco? He had a deep love for Mary and built a large church in her honor in Turin, Italy, calling it the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. He often told the young people he worked with to always trust in Mary, saying, “Have faith in Mary, and you will see what miracles are!”

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;

Proverbs 31:25-28

Although it may seem logically paradoxical, there’s a timeless wisdom nestled within the saying: “God couldn’t be everywhere, so He created mothers.” Beneath its poetic surface lies a profound truth—an acknowledgment of the boundless love, care, and presence that mothers bring into our lives. In that single thought exists an entire universe of meaning, compassion, and grace.

Happiness and health are deeply connected. When we are happy, our body and mind function better. Many people believe that to be happy, we must first be healthy. But in truth, it often works the other way around—happiness itself can lead to good health. That is why we say, “Happiness is the key to health.”

Scientific studies have shown that happy people tend to live longer, have stronger immune systems, and suffer less from stress-related illnesses. This is because happiness releases positive chemicals in the brain, like endorphins and serotonin, which improve our mood, reduce pain, and protect our heart. In contrast, constant sadness, anger, or stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of diseases.