St. Sebastian Church

April 6th has been identified as the Day of Solidarity Against Hunger and Disease by the Diocese in Goa, a solemn reminder of the suffering endured by millions worldwide. As Christians, we are called to respond with compassion and action, following Christ’s example of feeding the hungry and healing the sick.

The Reality

Hunger remains one of the greatest challenges of our time. According to global reports, over 800 million people suffer from chronic undernourishment, and malnutrition continues to claim lives, especially among children. Meanwhile, preventable diseases—such as malaria, tuberculosis, and waterborne illnesses—persist in many parts of the world, causing immense suffering. The COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened inequalities, pushing more families into food insecurity and inadequate healthcare.

The year 2025 is a significant time for the Catholic Church as it marks the Jubilee Year, a period of renewal, forgiveness and spiritual growth. This special year serves as an invitation for all Catholics to deepen their faith and embrace God’s mercy. Among the many celebrations, the Jubilee of Teenagers (April 2025) holds a unique place, highlighting the vital role of young people in the Church. It is a time to remind teenagers that they are not just the future but also an essential part of the Church today. This jubilee encourages them to live with purpose, grow in their faith, and become active contributors to the mission of Christ.

Teenage years are often filled with excitement, curiosity and discovery. It is a time of learning new things, making lifelong friendships and dreaming about the future. But it is also a time of challenges, uncertainty about identity, pressure from society and the struggle to find meaning in life. In the midst of all this, God has a purpose for every teenager. You are not here by accident; you were created with love, for a reason, and with a mission.

“Father into Thy hands I commend My Spirit!”

Good Friday, commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, is a day of both profound suffering and enduring hope, reminding Christians of Jesus’ sacrifice and the promise of Redemption and Resurrection.

The ‘Good’ in suffering, despite the name, ‘Good Friday,’ is not about celebrating the suffering itself, but about recognizing the good that comes from it: the promise of salvation and the hope of eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice.

When you have nothing better to do,

Just scratch your brain for these answers

1. When Poison expires; does it become more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous 🤔

2. Which letter is silent in the word “Scent,” the S or the C 🤔

3. Do Twins ever realize that one of them is “Unplanned” 🤔

4. Why is the letter W, in English, called double U? Shouldn’t it be called double V 🤔

Kall ieta, kall veta, kalla pormonnem vathavoronn bodolta.Thonnddeche mhoine aile ani ghele punn thonnddich poddunk nam.Vaur dondo korun atam konth ixeop korpacho mhoino.Artik poristhiti koxi asa, kitlo faido zala ani kitlo faido zaunk zavo hachi topasnnim korcho ho mhoino.

Punn amkam Jezuchea pattlavdarank,amchea Atmik jivitacher topasnnim korunk lagu zatolo ho mhoino ani kall zaun asa.Amcho Patron Sant Sebastiao hachi porob ami dobajean manoitanv zalear ami tache baxen Jezuk govaiki aitim ani kalljidar zaunk zai .

Festacho dobazo somplo zalear rokddoch Prachit kall suru zata.

Amchea jivitacho konth ixop diunk ami aitim zaunk ho prachit kall amkam amontronn korta.

Zalear ami kitem korchem? Amchea jivitachi novsornnim korunk ho kall amkam apoita mhonn hanv tumkam ughddas kortam.

Jivitachi novsornnim korneanim zaunk zai. Oronneant bob martolo tallo oxem mhonnta, “jivit bodlat Xubvortoman manun gheiat”.

Jivitachi novsornnim ani bodolnnim korunk ho kall amkam apoita zalear Devachea utrak kan diumya, jivit bodlumya.

Parish Priest, Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues

It gives us immense joy and happiness to present this Special Edition of our beloved Church Bulletin, PORMOLL, on the occasion of our Parish Feast of our Patron, St. Sebastian. We acknowledge with gratitude the efforts put in by everyone involved in sparing no efforts to see that this magazine sees the light of the day well in time. I take this opportunity to thank all the writers, who regularly contribute with their write-ups, spending a lot of their precious time and energy and strive to convey their viewpoints/advice to the readers. Medical notes, guidance and important information on our health issues and hygiene is a regular feature on our bulletin, provided by our Parish doctors to whom we are indeed indebted. Many of our parishioners have certainly benefited by reading their articles. Similarly a big THANK YOU to all our Sponsors, Advertisers and all the Parishioners for their generous contributions and support, not only this year but for the past several years. Your helping hand has played a big role in our recent achievement of crossing the milestone of completing 25 fruitful years of PORMOLL existence. It really means a lot to us and we shall be ever so grateful. Thanks and a big GOD BLESS!!

Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, (excluding Sundays) that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. These 40 days of Lent involve fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a way to connect deeper with God and fellow neighbour.

The origin of the word Lent comes from the “Old English lencten springtime, spring” and “from West Germanic langitinaz long-days or lengthening of the day.” The 40-day period of Lent is symbolic of significant biblical events, including:

The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph. On 19th March we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This date is believed to have been the date of St. Joseph’s death, but that is not certain. In 1955, Pope Pius XII declared an additional feast which is celebrated on 1st May, as the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. This date is also International Workers’ Day and believed to reflect Joseph as the Patron Saint of Workers. He is the Patron Saint of Workers because he taught Jesus the trade and craft of carpentry.

The Annunciation of our Lord is one of the most profound and pivotal events in our Christian faith. Celebrated annually on March 25th, this sacred occasion marks the moment when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary, announcing that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God. This divine encounter, recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38), signifies the beginning of God’s redemptive plan for humanity and stands as a testament to Mary’s faith, obedience, and humility.