St. Sebastian Church

12th April, 2026 being a Sunday, was chosen for a day’s outing, though some couldn’t make it. We started the day after participating in the morning Mass, at around 10 a.m. from the Church. It was an hour’s journey by bus to the picnic spot. Relieved to be away from the day’s unbearable heat… Power Cut !!

As we reached our destination, we eagerly looked for some signboard or the sound of gushing water. Nothing was in sight, so, we embarked on a trail of fallen leaves, with a lot of greenery around. Wild flowers, jackfruit and cashews, tall trees and bamboos on either side, made us feel that we were all on an expedition…tracking the pathway, almost as was in The Secret 7 Series! An unique experience in the woods!

The message of Our Lady of Fátima apparitions centers on prayer, repentance, and conversion. In 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, urging devotion to God, especially through the Rosary. She called for penance for sins, reparation to her Immaculate Heart, and trust in God’s mercy. The message warned of the consequences of sin, including war and suffering, but also promised peace, if humanity turned back to God. Overall, it emphasizes faith, moral responsibility, and hope in divine grace.

The message of Our Lady of Fátima apparitions speaks powerfully to the present world situation marked by wars such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These crises reveal not only political disagreements but a deeper moral and spiritual disorder-what Our Lady of Fatima warned as the consequences of sin, pride, and turning away from God.

When the topic “Tilling of Fields” was suggested for our monthly Church Magazine, I accepted it with great enthusiasm. This subject holds a special place in my heart, as I have some personal familiarity with the process. During my younger days, I often accompanied my mother to our fields and witnessed firsthand the various stages of farming from the tilling of the soil to the eventual harvesting of crops. These experiences left a lasting impression on me and helped me appreciate the dedication, patience, and hard work involved in cultivating the land.

Over the years, I have also observed that the process of farming has undergone significant transformation. What was once largely dependent on manual labour and traditional methods has now evolved into a more mechanized and efficient system. Despite these advancements, the core principles of tilling preparation, nurturing, patience, and joy in the outcome-remain unchanged.

Message from the President

The President of the Parish Pastoral Council Rev Fr S. N. Fernandes, spoke about the need for peace in the world. He expressed concern over the fear of a possible third world war, which could affect everyone and urged all to pray for peace and for an end to war. He also mentioned that although the Pope has been criticized by Donald Trump, he remains firm and unafraid, continuing to uphold the values and principles of Jesus Christ.

The PPC President further expressed concern about the lack of dialogue by Donald Trump with other countries before the start of the war, stating that it was initiated without prior discussion. He also spoke about the immense expenses involved in purchasing arms and ammunition for the war, as well as the destruction and loss of lives-both young and old.

He concluded by encouraging everyone to pray with hope for peace in the world.

Prezidium: Saude Saibin, Aquem 

Legio Mariae 
Comitium: Ekvottachea Arka Comitium Margao-Goa (18/06/1967) 
Zomaticho Dis, Mungllar, Vell 5.30 p.m. ani suvat: St. Sebastianvachea firgojechea vosreant. 
Vakeacho Khall: December 2024 to November 2025 
Firgoz: St. Sebastian Church, Aquem 
Vangddiponn: Vaddloleancho presidium 
Vaddlole vaurpi vangddi: 27 vangddi, 
Adari Vangddi: 24 vangddi 
Lhanache vaurpi vangddi: 17 

On the occasion of the 48th anniversary of his ordination, we celebrate the extraordinary journey of Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes, whose ministry has spanned over four decades with unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions to the Church and community. Ordained on April 21, 1978, during a challenging time for the Archdiocese, Fr. Simpliciano’s early years in the priesthood were marked by resilience and devotion. 

Fr. Simpliciano has always sought to expand his knowledge and skills to better serve his community. His decision to pursue higher studies at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, led to his involvement in religious journalism. His contributions to the field earned him the prestigious Fr. John Barret Journalism Award, and he was selected as the Young Catholic Journalist of India for the Summer University in Europe. He received diplomas in Journalism from Fribourg University (Switzerland), Gregorian University (Rome), and Université de Lyon (France). 

The Susegad Christ metaphor can be taken as a sacrament. This metaphor is never a mere flourish of language but it explains the structure of reality and, at the same time, evokes a lived response and becomes a symbol, a doorway through which meaning and experience pour together. The Susegad Christ of 

Goa is exactly such a symbol. The image of a calm, smiling Saviour, arms open in unhurried welcome, is not a decorative label pinned into Jesus. It is a sacrament of words and wood and pigment that communicates both the meaning of revelation and the experience of Goan peace! 

The Susegad Christ explains how the Gospel does not show ordinary Goans why the ancient law of love reaches its fullness not in heroic defiance but in prudent day-by-day fidelity. The fisherman mendung net at dawn, the grandmother lighting lamp at duskeach discovers that their ordinary rhythm is already inside the divine rhythm. The metaphor explains without lecturing; it simply lets the eye rest on the wooden statue in the village chapel and whispers: “This is how the divine looks when it wears your own face.” 

Every year, when Good Friday arrives, we remember the suffering and death of Christ. The church grows quiet. The altar is bare. The liturgy slows us down and invites us to sit with pain, silence, and sacrifice. Good Friday is not only an event in the life of Jesus; it is also an experience in our own lives. 

Each of us encounters moments that feel like a personal Good Friday, don’t we? Times when plans collapse, relationships strain, health falters, or uncertainty clouds the future. These are the times when life feels heavy and answers are not easily found. During a recent retreat at the Xavier Retreat Centre in Baga, I was reflecting on the Ignatian spiritual exercises which helped me see these moments in a different light. 

A tribute to my friend Mr. Tony Dias 

As always, those early morning calls that come outside of normal hours carry with them a quiet sense of unease feeling that something is not right. That Tuesday morning was no different. The ringing of the phone shattered the stillness, and in that very moment, an unspoken fear settled in. And then came the news… news that would weigh heavily on our hearts, leaving us in disbelief and sorrow. 

For the past few months, we had already lost a couple of our dear friends. Just as we were beginning to come to terms with those scars, this loss has come upon us like a wound that will not heal easily. Today feels like a sunset that came far too soon as though the sun that lit our lives has quietly slipped beyond the horizon, leaving behind a sky heavy with darkness and silence. There is an emptiness in the air, a stillness that echoes the pain in our hearts. It feels unreal… almost impossible to accept… that someone who meant so much, someone who was such a constant in our lives, is no longer with us. 

What Is the new Commandment? 

The “New Commandment” is a central Christian tenet from John 13:34- 35, where Jesus instructs his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you”. 

Why did Jesus call it a NEW commandment? Why did He not simply say, ‘You already know this old commandment to love your neighbour as yourself. Now just make sure that you apply it’? How is this commandment to love our fellow man in v.34 a new commandment? From studying this passage and comparing it with other passages of scripture, we can suggest at least 5 ways in which this commandment is new.