St. Sebastian Church

As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the evening of 24th December 2024, he ushered in the widely-anticipated 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and will mark its conclusion on 6th January 2026 with Pope Leo Closing the Holy Door on the Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord. In our Archdiocese we shall conclude our Jubilee celebration on 28th December 2025.

The Meaning of the Holy Door
The origin of the custom goes back to Pope Martin V who, for the Extraordinary Jubilee of 1423, opened a Holy Door to enter the Lateran Basilica. In St. Peter’s, it was first used for the Jubilee of 1450. The Holy Door, traditionally opened only during Jubilee years, is more than just an architectural element in a basilica. It marks the following
changes in our Life:
A symbol of Christ, as we read in the Gospel of John Ch:10 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
A path of conversion, calling the faithful to repentance, renewal, and deeper communion with God.
A tangible sign of grace, reminding us that God’s mercy is not an abstract idea, but an invitation we can step into.
Walking through the Holy Door is therefore a journey—one that brings the pilgrim from sin to forgiveness, from darkness to light, and from brokenness to wholeness.

Attachment to Worldly Riches is Detachment from Eternal Bliss

The prophets and the saints, the wisemen and the seers down the ages have been insistently exhorting men against greed and attachment to worldly riches. They had a clue to base human weakness, the greed to grab, exploit others and amass wealth!

Detachment is the key word that many saints sought and taught. The Lord Jesus showed us the way to live heavenly life here on earth when he declared: “The Son of Man has nowhere, not even a stone, to lay his head on” Acomplete detachment!

Vorsachea xevottak pavtana amche borobor hea Sonvsarant poinn kelam, amche sovem khub boreponn, môg ani huskó dakhoila tancho ami mogan ugddas kortanv, tanche pasot magtanv, tanche fondd nitoll korun fulam ghaltanv.

Morun geleant tankam man divop, tancho ugddas ani tanchi puja legun korun tankam amchea jivitant eke baxen hajir dov’rop: osli chal purvileam sonskrutaiam modhem/in ancient cultures odikuch dixtti poddta.

Mel’leam sombondhim dusri gozal mhollear tanchi khobor kortana vô konna chea-i mornnachi mahiti ditana movall utrancho/euphemism vapor ami kortanv, dekhik to piddear zalo, ti bhair poddli, to ghelo/sompló…Mel’lea mon’xa vixim ulovpachi hi poddôt, ghoddunk favó naxil’lem kitem tori ghoddlam, oxem mhunnonk sodhta.

The communion of saints is a teaching of the Catholic faith that we profess in every recitation of the Creed at Mass. Pope St. Paul VI describes the dogma well in his 1968 “Credo of the People of God”: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are attaining their purification and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one church; and we believe that in this communion the merciful love of God and his saints is ever listening to our prayers.” In Latin, the name is “communio sanctorum.” In English, “communion of saints” joins together two of the most beautiful and positive nouns in our language. This short phrase expresses a truth that is supernatural and even mystical – but it evokes a feeling that is as natural and comfortable as family and friendship and camaraderie. It tells us that we belong to a vast fellowship of souls from all the ages of faith.

1.The PPC President Rev Fr Simpliciano N. Fernandes in his address to the members, highlighted that October is observed in the church as the month of Rosary and month of Missions. He quoted Pope St. John Paul II stating that “The church is missionary by nature” and that missionaries are sent to proclaim the Good News not only by words but in deeds too. He emphasized, that not all can personally proclaim the Good News, but all can still be missionaries participating in the mission by other means as by praying for the mission work and for missionaries and also stressed that it is our responsibility to encourage and stand by those who work on the front lines. He also appealed for offering monetary assistance to support missionary activities and requested the faithful to sacrifice their nonessential needs and save money with a purpose and contribute joyfully at least once a year towards the mission fund. By doing so each member becomes an active member in the mission of the Church.

In every age of the Church, God raises leaders who guide His people through times of confusion and fear. One such leader was St. Leo the Great, one of the most outstanding popes of the early Church. Living in the 5th century AD, a time when the mighty Roman Empire was crumbling and the faith of many was being tested, St. Leo stood like a pillar of strength: wise, compassionate, and deeply rooted in God.

The Nineth World Day of the Poor, 16 November 2025

Pope Leo XIV roots his message in Scripture, referencing Exodus 3:7-8, which emphasizes that God hears the suffering of the oppressed. He affirms that poverty has not one, but “many faces”: material deprivation, social exclusion, cultural poverty, vulnerability, and the absence of rights.

In today’s world, we see more and more children struggling with obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle-related illnesses at a very young age. Recently, I came across a child who was born with diabetes and needs insulin every alternate day. It made me stop and think, how did this happen? His parents do not have diabetes, yet he has been living with it since birth.

We often say that every body type is different, and that is true—some people gain weight easily, while others do not. But the bigger question remains: why are such conditions increasing so rapidly among children and youngsters? Our grandparents lived long, healthy lives, many reaching ninety or even a hundred years of age, without these diseases being so common.

As we prepare to observe All Souls’ Day, our hearts turn toward those who have gone before us—our loved ones, friends, and countless souls who have departed this world. It is a day of remembrance, reflection, and above all, faith. In the face of loss, pain, and uncertainty, faith becomes not just a belief but a lifeline—a steady light guiding us through the shadows of grief.

We firmly believe that Faith and Hope does not disappoint us because it anchors us in the eternal promises of God. As St. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:5, “ Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” When we trust in God’s mercy and love, we realize that death is not the end, but a doorway to everlasting life.

Ruzaiechi Bhokti: Bhorvanxeachi Matha
Outubrachea mhoineant ami Ruzai Saibinnichem devosanv kortanv ani amcher, kheritponni amcheam ghorabeancher zaitim Devachim besanvam zoddun ghetanv. Hi vhoddli bhokti mhunnlear Ruzai korchi rit, ami Ters mhunnun aileanv tem. Punn atam Ters (tisro vantto) nhoim, khorem mhunnlear Quarto (chouto vantto) to! Kiteak atam akhe Ruzaieche bhoktik vis gutt ani vis khonn asat. Ami ek pautt kortanv to chouto vantto.

Bhagevont Juanv Paulo II Pap Saiban “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” hi “Apostolic Letter” Povitr Sobhek dhaddun amkam (1) Ruzai mhunnlear kitem, (2) ami ticho koso foll kaddcho tem sangun, (3) ti odhik folladik zaunk upai ani (4) anik panch gutt ani khonn amkam dile. Oxem Ruzaiek soglle mellun 20 mister ani konn asat mhunn tannem porgottlem. Anik panch gutt dile te Uzvaddache ani te amkam fokot Brestarak mhunnunk laileat. Mhunntoch Ruzaeche gutt oxe vanttleat: Somar ani Son’var Sontosache, Mungllarani Sukrar Dukhiche , Budhvar Orkache/Vhoibovache, Brestar Uzvaddache ani Aitar sevadhormik kalla pormonnem; Adventachea ani Natalanchea Kallar Sontosache, Prachit Kallar Dukhiche, Paskam Kallar ani Sadhea Kallar Orkache.