St. Sebastian Church

Kallokant uzvadd porzollta
Monxeanchea patka vorvim sonvsarant Kallok ailo punn Devan aplea Mogan monxeak porto aplea uzvaddant haddlo. Povitr Tritvecho dusro zonn monxeak Soimban Ankvar Moriek zolmolo. Taka ami natalamchi porob mhonnttanv.Monis kullachi soddvonn anik dusre toren ti korunk zainasli karann monxean ogddailoli Devachi ievzonn monxea vorvim ti porot zagear galunk zai asli. Punn tem korunk monxeak xokti Ani kurpa nasli. Tea khatir Devuch monxeachea adarak ieta, Mogall Bap aplea ekleach Putak amchi soddvonn korunk iea Sonvsarant pattoita.

With a heart full of overflowing emotions and joy, I wish to extend hearty congratulations to you all on the happy occasion of the Silver Jubilee of our beloved Church bulletin, PORMOLL.
This journey of 25 years began in December 1999, initially as a quarterly magazine, and gradually became a monthly issue. This was the brainchild of our then Chaplain, Fr. James Torres e Silva, with the active support of a few zealous parishioners who rightly constituted the initial Editorial Board. The members were Sr. Ernestina Fernandes HC, late Archibald Gomes, late Otilia Clovis Costa, late Lawrence Noronha, and myself.

MESSAGE
This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 25th anniversary of PORMOLL, a magazine born out of faith, dedication, and a desire to spread God’s Word. As I look back on this journey, I am proud to be a part of its initiation and glad we created this magazine 25 years ago to serve the parishioners of Aquem. The success of PORMOLL speaks volumes about the unity and hard work of its parishioners.

SONDEX
“Pormoll” stapun xapunk laglear hea vorsa 25 vorsam bhortat mhonn aikun kuxalkai bhogli. Zaiteo vostu nettan suru kortat punn teo chukoinastanam chalu dovrunk ekdom augodd zata ani thodde pautt bond poddtat. Punn Aquem-cho boro “Pormoll” aiz legun eit asa mhonn jiv sontosta.
Mhaka hanv aslo tea sogllea firgozamnim firgoz-potr meulam. Mhojem-nch vhoddponn sangun don vostu mhonntam ani Pormoll-ak sor korun xabaski ditam:-

Understand the word ‘Jubilee’
‘Jubilee’ is the name given to a particular year. The name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement. This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year but takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: A Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). It was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, one another, and all of creation. It involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

December has come, and with it, all the joys of Christmas. However, its true meaning is not just about the stockings and gifts under the tree, the lights in front of homes, the star, the crib, the cards we mail, the WhatsApp messages, yummy sweets and meals, and the shouts of “Merry Christmas” between houses and to those we pass on the streets.
Christmas is the celebration of the incredible love of God the Father for us. It is the story of God becoming a human being (The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us) in the person of Jesus Christ. It is the greatest act of humanity; God did not send His Son Jesus into the world to condemn us but to save the world through Jesus. God wanted us to spend eternity with Him. He gave us His Son to take the punishment of our sins, which Jesus did so perfectly. What a wonderful God we have!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…” – Isaiah 9:6
Christmas has always been a time of celebration, but over the years, my understanding of its true meaning has evolved. What once centered around festivities and traditions has become a deeper reflection on the birth of Christ and the values He brings. This shift has transformed how I experience and celebrate the season.
As a child, Christmas felt like pure magic. The whole month of December was filled with excitement, from the beautifully decorated houses to the festive carol singing in the neighborhoods. We would wait eagerly for Christmas Eve, when our family would gather for midnight Mass. The streets would be alive with the sound of carols, the scent of bebinca and sorpotel, and the glow of Christmas lights. For me, Christmas was a time of joy and togetherness, where everything seemed brighter and more colorful. The sense of community was powerful, with everyone coming together to celebrate.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “a coming, approach, arrival”. When we expect guests to arrive at our homes, we turn the lights on; we anticipate their arrival and welcome them with joy. In Advent, we prepare our homes and churches as we joyfully anticipate His arrival, and the light also gets brighter as we near Christmas day, the day on which the Light of the World was born. St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote, “Today, the darkness begins to grow shorter and the light to lengthen, as the hours of light become fewer. Do you see that the beams of light are more intense and the sun higher than it has been? Realize that the true light is now here and, through the rays of the Gospel, is illuminating the whole earth”.

At a peaceful South Goa beach, overlooking a golden horizon, the sun was about to set, casting warm hues across the sky. Sound of waves beating on the shore were indicating signs of impending high tide. There was a distant sound of barking dogs that broke the silence and a gentle breeze filled the air. The sky was painted with shades of orange, pink, and purple. Few coconuts trees lining along the beach were casting long shadows below and few meters away from me were children busy making sand castles and playing with the ripples of incoming waves.

Jesus has given us his Blessed Mother as our Spiritual Mother (Rev.12:17), a Heavenly Advocate who intercedes for us.

“The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8th December, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8th September. It’s one of the most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.”