St. Sebastian Church

In this world, all of us walk along different paths, having different ideas, trying to achieve something or the other. Along our journey, opportunities are abundant in our lives, presenting themselves in various forms and promising us growth, success and fulfilment. However, many a times, despite the amount of opportunities that are presented to us, many people, specially the younger generation, miss out on seizing them, simply because we do not truly see what is right in front of our eyes, but go searching elsewhere. When we are too impatient, at times, we let people deceive and mislead us, and in such a situation we make impulsive and foolish decisions which we regret at a later date. We need to realise that the most significant rewards come to those who don’t rush into making wrong decisions and are willing to practice patience and mindfulness. It is always important that we keep away ill advisers and be prudent in our decision making. We all need to discern well before we act. It is advisable not to attempt anything without having complete information. It is said, “Half education is not only dangerous but destructive as well.” A word is enough for the wise, isn’t it? Read more

ST MONICA: Feast Day August 27.
Saint Monica was born in the year 331 A.D, and raised in a Catholic family in the small town of Tagaste in modern day Algeria. Monica’s parents gave her in marriage to Patricius who was a Roman pagan, known for his drinking and violent rages, of which Monica was often the victim. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally resulted in the conversion of her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism. After her husband’s premature death, St. Monica dedicated her life to raising her children. Read more

On Sunday 4th August is the ‘Day of the Diocesan Clergy’ i.e Priest’s Day. The Saint who immediately comes to mind is St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney. He was born in France on 8th May 1786. Ordained to Priesthood on 13th August 1815, he spent his life speaking of God, hearing confessions and guiding souls to Holiness. Because of his desire to save souls, he endured 12 to 17 hours a day in the Confessional and could often tell a persons’ sins even when they were withheld. On 2nd August 1859, Fr. Marie Vianney received Holy Communion and extreme unction from his own Curate in simplicity and joy. He came face to face with Jesus on 4th August 1859 after living a life of remarkable spiritual strength, humility, gentleness and patience. On the feast of Pentecost on 31st May 1925 Pope Pius XI enrolled him among the saints and on 23rd April 1928 declared Fr. Jean Marie Vianney ‘Patron of Parish Priests world-wide’.  Read more

Prison Ministry India celebrates ‘PRISON SUNDAY’ every second Sunday in August, the feast being that of our patron St. Maximillan Kolbe. Prison Sunday is recognised by CBCI since the year 2000 and its Goa unit has been functioning under Caritas since 1977 with the Late Sr. Mary Jane S.F.N as its first Co-ordinator.

The support received from the Archdiocese of Goa and especially the patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, as well as benefactors has enabled us to reach out to over 650 odd prisoners at Modern Central Jail, Colvale. Read more

The Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary
Assumption of Mother Mary is believed to have taken place in the 5th Century.
August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.
Now at the end of the summer season, the Church celebrates the most glorious “harvest festival” in the Communion of Saints — Mary, the supremely blessed one among women, Mary, the most precious fruit which has ripened in the fields of God’s kingdom, is today taken into heaven. Read more

Patron of: drug addicts, prisoners, families and the pro-life movement
“I don’t know what’s going to become of you!” How many parents have said that? Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s reaction was, “I prayed very hard to Our Lady to tell me what would happen to me. She appeared, holding in her hands two crowns, one white, one red. She asked if I would like to have them—one was for purity, the other for martyrdom. I said, ‘I choose both.’ She smiled and disappeared.” After that he was not the same.
He entered the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in Lvív–then Poland, now Ukraine– near his birthplace, and at 16 became a novice. Though Maximilian later achieved doctorates in philosophy and theology, he was deeply interested in science, even drawing plans for rocket ships. Read more

We read about Transfiguration of Jesus Christ in the New Testament as an event that occurred where in Jesus  Transfigured (Transformed) and became radiant in Glory, upon a mountain top. This event is written in the Gospels of Matthew 9, 28-36, Mark 9 2-8, and also Luke 9, 28-36. They recount this occasion. In this event Jesus and three of His Apostles namely Peter, James and John, go up to the Mountain top nearby where they were preaching. Now this mountain is known as Mount of TRANSFIGURATION.  Read more

When I was requested by “Pormoll” team for an article in the next issue I had almost run out of topics having written frequently on our magazine. As a precursor, I thought, this time I would divert writing on religious issues and dwell on something different; something personal.
That night, as Goa was being pounded by heavy downpour and as rains and wind kept bashing on my window panes, I tucked in more inside my blanket to avoid the cold outside. For some reason sleep evaded me and as I kept thinking it suddenly struck me that this month, I would be turning 70. Although not life-altering by any means, it was, to me at least, a significant event. Crossing such a milestone in present era is a blessing. Many wanted to reach there but only few were fortunate. Read more

“A Church without Youth, is a Church without future. Moreover, Youth without Church is Youth without a future”.
St. Sebastian Parish Youth Association (SSPYA) organized the Inaugural Mass on 7th July, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., which was the onset for the Pastoral Year 2024-2025. The Holy Eucharistic celebration was organised by the Parish Youth under the guidance of the Animator Fr Josely Rocha. Read more

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and/or clenching of the teeth.
Over time this grinding can wear down the enamel, can lead to sensitive teeth.
It can also lead to TMJ problems, jaw muscle pain, chipping of teeth and damage to restorative dental work.
Your dentist will be able to notice signs of bruxism during your routine dental check up.
Bruxism is often caused by stress and anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious during the day, you are more likely to experience the effects of stress at night too, can cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding during sleep. Read more