St. Sebastian Church

Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, crouched down to the earth, and put his head between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go up and look out to sea.” He went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times he said, “Go look again!” And the seventh time the youth reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab, ‘Harness up and go down the mountain before the rain stops you.’” All at once the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell. (1 Kings 18:42–45) Read more

Some of the world’s best educators are grandparents – Dr. Charlie W. Shedd

Do you remember the days spent in the loving company of your grandparents? Memories of summer holidays in my childhood are abundant with times spent listening to stories told by my grandmother while we ate our simple yet delicious lunch or dinner. Times spent playing in the gardens and backyards filled with banana, mango, chickoo, guava and so many other fruit trees; trees planted by my grandfather, lovingly spreading their branches wide like open arms.   Read more

Flossing is the process of cleaning between the teeth, and between the teeth and the gum using a thin filament called dental floss.

A dental floss is usually made of silk, nylon, or Teflon.

It is important to include flossing once a day in order to decrease the likelihood of cavities and gum disease.

It’s easy for food to get trapped in the gaps between your teeth, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque to develop. These hidden food particles get caught in the gaps between teeth where bacteria in our mouth breaks down the food to produce acid that is harmful for our teeth and gums as well. Unlike brushing, flossing can allow you to get into these gaps and remove the bacteria-causing debris. Read more

As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.
                                                                   Nelson Mandela on his release from Jail.

Three men were about to be executed by the firing squad. In their time in prison they had meticulously  planned their way to freedom.

The first man was brought forward and before they could shoot him he yelled “avalanche“! The firing squad panicked and, in the confusion that ensued, the man jumped over the wall and into freedom before the firing squad could regroup. Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,
“Adeus korcho vellu paulo,
Ai mhojem kalliz re fapsota.”

Ho manddo hanvem ani tumi zaite pavtt dusreank mhonnla astolo. Atam mhakach ho aikunk kalliz zhodd zata ani dolle dukhanim bhortat.

Sat (7) vorsam hanga Aquem St. Sebastiao firgojent umedin sarlea uprant atam hangasorlo bhair sortanam fokt donuch vostu mhonntam. Poilem mhollear, “Devak argham”.

Hanga sat lamb vorsam khoincheanuch sodd-soddit sorun ghelim. Devachea adharan sodanch bori bolaiki meuli. Sevadhormik, somajik ani arthik vavr korunk umed kednanch unnem zaunk nam. Goroz tea vellar, goroz tea mon’xancho adhar ani sohokar meulo. Zaitea borea monachea firgozkaramnim fuddem sorun zaito tenko dilo. Soglleanchi apurbai dista. Read more

My dear parishioners,

It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the St. Sebastian parish as an assistant to the Parish Priest for these past four years. Together, I  have celebrated the sacraments, shared in the joys and sorrows of life, and grown in  faith. I am  truly grateful for the opportunity I had to have ministered among you.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your steadfast faith, your generous service, and your warm welcome. You have supported me, encouraged me, and prayed for me, and I deeply appreciate. I am deeply indebted to our Parish Priest, Fr. Andrew Pereira, for the support extended to me during these past four years in this Parish. Thanks to all the members of different groups and associations of this Parish and all the church staff for your unending support.

I will treasure the memories of our time together in my heart. Please know that you will remain in my prayers and I ask that you continue to pray for me as well. May God bless this parish community through the intercession of our patron St. Sebastian and may the Lord’s presence continue to be felt here.

Thank you, and May the Lord be with you always.

Fr. Leslie Gomes (Asst. to the Parish Priest)

The Feast of the Most Sacred Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ or Corpus Christi, is a Catholic feast celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday. The Eucharist is at the very heart of Catholic worship and spirituality, and is considered the “source and summit” of the Christian life, as it brings the faithful into the closest communion with Christ.

The feast was established in the 13th century by Pope Urban IV, in response to a Eucharistic miracle and the championing of the feast by St. Thomas Aquinas. It celebrates the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. This feast highlights the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church. It is a celebration of Christ’s gift of the Eucharist to the Church at the Last Supper. It is an opportunity to publicly affirm the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Read more