St. Sebastian Church

We are witnessing nature in its fury. After a small delay of few days, monsoons arrived in Goa in full cry. IMD for a change provided indications of the favorable conditions which turned out to be correct and as predicted. The red, orange and yellow alerts from them were useful to us especially to the fisher folk who venture out in the seas. Many areas witnessed heavy downpours of incessant rains, with trees and plants getting uprooted causing devastation and leaving people in pains. In some places few houses got in undated and the authorities took action through the fire station people who had tough time attending to the uprooted trees, and getting the affected people moved to safer places. Elsewhere in India, heavy floods and heavy rains caused unbearable devastation everywhere. Most of the rivers in these areas were in full spate creating a fearful atmosphere. The pictures on TV and prudent media give us an opportunity to imagine the extent of destruction caused by the rains-few houses crumbing like a pack of cards, bridges just getting swept away….ah terrifying and heart wrenching. In the midst of it all we also see some people, unmindful of the consequences, challenging the fury of nature. In some Read more

St. John Vianney ministered in the village of Ars, France, during the first half of the 19th century. Deeply mystical and spiritual, he relentlessly summoned pilgrims and parishioners alike to greater intimacy with Christ and complete reliance on His mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation. He endured many setbacks in his pursuit of the Priesthood and his ministry to the people of Ars. Upon first arriving in that village in France, he found a lifeless church in near-ruin and a generation of people who had abandoned the substance and practice of their faith.

He would not relent. “It was this attribute of perseverance which, coupled with a burning desire to convert hearts, was at the core of Vianney’s entire life and ministry. St. John Vianney was consumed with the desire to convert hearts, save souls, offer the Eucharist and free people from their sins in the sacrament of reconciliation. Read more

ajetan, also known as Saint Gaetano di Thiene, was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Theatine Order. He was born in Vicenza, Italy, on October 1, 1480, into a noble family. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he spit it out!

He was ordained priest in 1516. He left the papal court and dedicated himself entirely to the service of the Lord. With his own hands he cared for the sick. Such zeal did he show for the salvation of his fellowmen that he was surnamed the “huntsman for souls.”

St. Cajetan often prayed eight hours daily. While attending the Christmas celebration at St. Mary of the Crib, he is said to have been given the grace of receiving from Mary the Child Jesus into his arms. Read more

“Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the king of Israel!” (Jn.1:49).

In this confession, is conveyed, a first important step in the journey of attachment, to Jesus. St. Bartholomew is one of the pillars of the Church and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, whose memorial, is marked on August 24th.

Bartholomew (known as Nathaniel in St. John’s Gospel), was a doctor in Jewish law and a dear friend of St. Philip, the apostle. He was summoned to Jesus by Philip. The moment Jesus saw him; he praised him, saying that he could see that there was no dishonesty, in his heart. Bartholomew immediately began to believe in Jesus. He was told that he would see great things because of his faith. We do not know what had happened, under the fig tree. Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”(Jn. 1:48). It is obvious, that it had to do with a decisive moment, in Nathaniel’s life. Read more

On Sunday, 6th August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important and significant events in the Gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke.

In the Gospel of Mark (Ch9:1-10) we read that “Jesus took with him Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain”. Jesus took His disciples up that mountain to encounter God; to enter into the mystery of God and also to reveal to them His Divine Son ship. Till that time Jesus had only shown them, in a sense, the veil of His humanity. They saw Him eat, drink, get tired. Now He is showing them, not only that He is fully human, but that He is also a Divine person. He is the Glorious Son of God. Read more

On August 15th we celebrate the Feast of Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary as well as our Independence Day. While Independence Day is symbolic of political liberation, the feast day of The Assumption of Our Mother Mary is complete liberation from anything that binds us. Since 1947 onwards the Indian Church became extremely happy as Aug 15 became the Independence Day and in its liturgy, prayers and hymns for the day, a special thanksgiving prayer for the Independence of India was also included.
The tradition of Assumption Day dates back to the fifth and sixth century. Pope Pius XII in the Apostolic Constitution of 1950 set forth the Dogma on Virgin Mary “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Read more

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes mainly from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Too much glucose then stays in your blood, and not enough reaches your cells.

Type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of factors: Being overweight or having obesity; not being physically active and genetics or family history. Read more

Tadev:  Dev boro dis dium tuka, Simao Titiv.

Simao: Tukai dium baba,  Tadev. Ami zaitea disamnim meule nhoim?

Tadev:  Oi, amcheo suttio sompleo anim ami porot iskol ani collegint pavleanv. Tuka mellonk vell mellonk nam.

Simao:  Tea bhair pavs-ui bhorpur poddlo ani marekar ghormi zatali ti tambli ani jiv dhados zalo.

Tadev: Pavsant amkam ek vegllech torechi urbha nirmann zata. Amkam bhurgeank tor mhovjen vell sarunk mellta. Ixtt-mitram sovem veg-veglle khell pavsant khellonk khoxalkai vaddta.   Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,
Adlea korarant Lev. 24/20 oxem mhonnta, “dantak dant ani dolleak dollo farik korcho.” Ani hoch bhag Jezu legun aple xikounnent ugddass korun novi xikounn dita. Jezu Aplea nimannea jevnna velo utt’ta ani aidonant udok ghalun xisanche paim duta. Pedru khaltikaien ani kirkollkaien aple paim duvunk diunk sodinam. Apunn Guru ani Suami zaun-ui Jezu apunn tanche paim duta zalear xisanim eka-mekache dunvche mhonn formaita. Ani oso Jn.13/15 hantunt ek seve chakrecho xisank hukum dita, “Hanvem tumkam kelam toxench tum-i korat.”
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The month of June came and instantly we knew we have a new year ahead of us – no, not the calendar or financial year, but the school and college academic year. It is that time of the year when new challenges spring up not only for the students but the parents alike. New books, new teachers, new friends, new uniforms, new stationery, accompanied with the fear of higher studies, tougher exams and whole lot of other related issues. With the progress of children to a higher grade, the parents’ responsibilities and fears too increase manifold. Will my child be able to manage? Will he / she cope up with the extra load of the higher studies? Will he or she get the required passing results to pursue the desired final goal? Will the teachers and the new principal / headmaster be good, kind and understanding? It is natural to worry about all these issues and pressures which literally drive the students and their parents crazy to say the least. Let us remember that worries add to the pressures and it is advisable to reduce the worries through prayers. Prayers work wonders. Pray to God and seek the protection of the Holy Spirit to protect and guide your child. Monitor your child’s progress but for heaven’s sake please refrain from pressurizing him or her by comparing with the other children. Always remember that it is through prayer and the Holy Spirit that we would be in a position to face the challenges ahead of us. Have faith which is the fountain of prayer – things will fall in place. Read more