St. Sebastian Church

Kantaram Lharam 3rd Edition: A Celebration of Konkani Solo and Duet Singing at St. Sebastian Parish, Aquem
The vibrant and culturally rich tradition of Konkani music is all set to take center stage once again at St. Sebastian Parish this January 2025. This annual event, which has become a staple in the local cultural calendar is set to welcome participants from all Parishes of Goa, showcasing the immense talent and passion for Konkani music in all its forms.

Novea Vorsak Kitem Novem? Novem Voros tumkam sogllea Firgoz karank anvddetam Fr. Josely ani mhojea nanvàn kuxealborit-anondborit hem Novem Voros zaumdi.Punn kitem Novem? Novem dress, Novem suit sogllem nesonn Novem, moche nove naka? Borem borem, tevui addumya. Anik kitem Novem? Table cloth, chair, covers new plastic flowers to be placed in the hall? Zaum tuvem boro ughddas kelo nam tor, amchem Sal khali khali dispachem. Nitoll korpachem anik kitem urlam?

In konkani, we normally say,”khoincheanuch ailem. anim khuincheanuch ghelem”..Yes, seconds, minutes, hours, days and months just passed away forcing the year 2024 to gradually fade into oblivion. Was this year different from the other years? Well, we could get lot of divergent views, more so as the year gone by was a leap year. In this context it would be very interesting to try and listen to those who still believe in superstition and may have lots to complain about the negative happenings of the past year. They must be happy to heave a sigh of relief which will hopefully last for the next four years until the arrival of the next leap year.

On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council, it is with great joy and gratitude that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our beloved Church Magazine ‘Pormoll’ on the momentous occasion of its 25th anniversary. Over the past quarter of a century, this publication has been a vital form of communication, connecting our parish community, spreading the Word of God, and celebrating the life and mission of our Church.
It is also heartening to note that we are celebrating the Jubilee of the Church Magazine coinciding with the commencement of the Jubilee year 2025 from 24th December 2024 with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Our Parish has been fortunate to have a committed team in ‘Pormoll’ in the form of Priest Coordinators, Editors, Writers, Designers who have transitioned through the times and stayed relevant all these 25 years.
The ‘Pormoll’ has shared in the communion building goal of the Parish Pastoral Council which is the main Pastoral Body of the Parish, representing all sections of the People of God in the Parish and meant to function as the Principal form of collaboration, dialogue and discernment at the Parish. We are happy to note that the Church Magazine has aptly played its role as a communion builder.

INTRODUCTION:
There are so many celebrated works in honor and praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary; however, the praise of Mary is an inexhaustible fountain, the more it is enlarged the fuller it gets, and the more you fill it, so much more it is enlarged. In fact, our dear Mother is great and sublime, that the more she is praised the more there remains to be praised. The source of her honor is in the fact that she is called: THE MOTHER OF GOD- Theotokos.

THE WORD ‘THEOTOKOS’
The dogma of the Theotokos proclaims that Mary is the true Mother of Jesus who is God the Son made man. This work on the Theotokos, therefore, attempts to bring simple insights to ordinary minds about the place of Mary as the Mother of God. Theotokos. The Word Theotokos derives from two Greek words, (theos) meaning “God” and (tokos) meaning “parturition or childbirth.” When this is translated literally, it would mean “God- bearer” or “the one who gives birth to God.” The writings of Henry Newman taught, “Mary was no mere instrument of God’s dispensation. The Word of God did not merely pass through her as He may pass through us in Holy Communion. It was no heavenly body which the Eternal Son assumed. No, He imbibed; He sucked up her blood and her substance into His Divine person. He became man from her and received her lineaments and her features as the appearance and character under which He should manifest Himself to the world. He was known, doubtless, by His likeness to her, to be her Son.

The Roman Catholic Church Venerates St. Timothy with St. Titus by a memorial on 26th January, one day after the feast of the conversion of St. Paul. In India, the memorial is delayed because of Republic Day, hence it is celebrated on 27th January.
Timothy and Titus were two faithful men of God who were trained by St. Paul to guide the early Church. They were trusted friends and co-workers with St. Paul through many of his trials, Paul was very close to both Timothy and Titus, calling each his ‘Son’ in his epistles. As they ministered to their respective Church communities, Paul encouraged them to stand firm in the truth. They took on the mantle of leadership at a young age, remained faithful and upright, serving God with sound judgement and helping the early Church to flourish after Paul passed away.