St. Sebastian Church

10th August

Saint Lawrence, (Lawrence also spelled Laurence) one of the most venerated Roman martyrs, is celebrated for his Christian valour. He is the patron saint of the poor and of cooks.
Lawrence was among the seven deacons of the Roman church serving Pope Sixtus II, whose martyrdom preceded Lawrence’s by a few days: they were executed during the persecution under the Roman emperor Valerian. It is said that Lawrence gave the church’s treasures to the poor and the sick before his arrest. Although Lawrence was probably beheaded, St. Ambrose of Milan and the Latin poet Prudentius, among others, recorded that he was roasted to death on a gridiron, remarking to his torturers at one point, “I am cooked on that side; turn me over, and eat.” Many conversions to Christianity throughout Rome reportedly followed Lawrence’s death, including those of several senators witnessing his execution. The Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura (St. Lawrence outside the Walls), Rome, was built over his burial place. He is named in the canon of the Roman mass. Read more

As the month of August draws near, the one date that comes to mind is the 15th of August, which evokes two titles – “Mother India” for Independence Day, and ‘Mother Mary’ for Assumption Day.

With simple faith I believe in the Assumption of Mother Mary, body and soul into heaven, because it is the Dogma of the Church. And also because Mother Mary’s apparitions have always been of a beautiful lady, speaking to children in their own language, instead of a misty figure in the sky.

Since I am not qualified to write on the Assumption of Mother Mary with authority, I did a search on YouTube and came across the following, easy to understand, explanation, which I hope helps you.  Read more

Synopsis

On August 4th , the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St John Vianney-the patron of priests. The day is commemorated as Pastors Day and is dedicated to all “Pastors” who work tirelessly, vigorously, and unselfishly for the Church.
Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in Dardilly, South-East France. He was the fourth of six children born to Matthieu Vianney and Marie, who were pious Christians. The day is dedicated to “Pastors” since John Vianney, was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 31, 1925, and named the patron of pastors in 1929. The Pope also encouraged all priests to look at Saint Vianney as an example of dedication to one’s priestly vocation. The incorrupt body of Saint Vianney is entombed above the main altar in the Basilica of Ars. With his life of penance and prayer, he was able to revive the faith of his parishioners at Ars, who otherwise had fallen into a comfortable life away from faith. He spent hours at the confessional, and history tells us that his work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment.

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Monsoon surely brings relief from scorching heat but it also sets the breeding ground for mosquitoes. As rainwater puddles aid an exponential spike in the mosquito population, monsoon is a high-risk season in terms of mosquito-borne diseases. Here is a list of mosquito-borne diseases we have to look out for this monsoon, and what we can do to keep ourselves protected. Read more

Simao: Dev boro dis dium baba Tadev.
Tadev: Tukai dium Simao Titiv. Tum zaitea disamnim dislo, dekun borem dislem.
Simao: Hea disamnim zaito pavs poddlo nhoim, dekun choddso bhair sorunk nam. Tujem iskol koxem cholta? Atam soglem niamit (regular) zalem nhoim?
Tadev: Oi Titiv. Atam soglem ttika-ttik cholta punn sogleanche motint matxe ‘COVID’ –ak lagon bhoim asa kiteak zaitea bhurgeanim vaccine gheunk nam.
Simao: Devanuch tumkam samballchem. Hem duens portun hea disamnim matxe vhaddlam munn sangtat, dekun kallji gheunk gorjechem.  Read more

The Good Samaritan FundThe Good Samaritan Fund seeks to provide funding to individuals and families with verifiable emergency needs when other services or funds are unavailable. Funds may be approved for utilities, medical expenses, child care and education, shelter/payment of rent and other critical needs. A referral is mandatory to seek approval of help under this fund.The Archdiocese of Goa with a noble and worthy vision to assist the poor and needy, has initiated this Good Samaritan Fund at the Diocesan Level and also at the Parish Level. If the need is extreme and amount is too big, i.e. above Rs. 20,000 then an amount of Rs. 10,000 will be given from the Good Samaritan Parish Fund and remaining Rs. 10,000 will be given by Good Samaritan Archdiocesan Fund, for which necessary request letters will have to be made.This fund can be raised by way of donations, fund raising activities, major feasts, offerings on occasion of weddings, anniversaries, etc.In our parish The Cofre Committee has resolved and commenced this Good Samaritan Fund which will be managed by a three-member committee, whose term of office will be three years. Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,

Vhoddlem xem kaim vaitt zainastanam Mai mhoino khoincheanuch ghelo so. Tantunt modem June mhoino ‘New Normal’ mhonn sangun novem Xikxonnik (Academic) voros suru zalem. Tantunt modem Gonvllik (Pastoral) voros-ui suru kelem.

Hea novea Gonvllik vorsak Goy dhormprantant “Mhojea Pattlean Ieiat” (Mk.1/17) ho vixoi ghetla. Hi voll zaite pautt ani zaite baxen ani zaiteam mellaveank ghetloli mellta. Mhaka dista soglleam von chodd vapurloli hi voll asa.

Mark-uchem xubhvortoman suru zatanch, Juanv lokak ani Jezuk bautism dilea uprant rokddich Jezu-cher dixtt voita. Jezu aplo vavr suru korunk poilench doria veller astanam xisank apounk lagta. Veller nistem dhorunk aplim zallam ghaltanam Pedru ani Andre-k mhonnta, “Mhojea Pattlean Ieiat, Hanv tumkam mon’xank dhortat tosle kharvi kortolom.” Hem apounnem kelea uprant anik mukhar vochun Zebedev-achea dog putank tench apounnem korta. Sogllem soddun Te tache pattlean ghele oxem Povitr Pustok mhonnta. Read more

After the summer break, schools have reopened for the new academic year. On June 6th, all Schools opened their classrooms for the regular onsite teaching and we could see happy students eager to begin their routine classes. Obviously it was a big relief to the parents and students alike when the government gave a green signal for reopening of schools. No doubt, this is going to be quite a challenge to the Education authorities and the school managements but it’s a task that they had to undertake in view of the fact that there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

On the other hand extra precaution would have to be taken to ensure that children, especially the younger ones who have not been vaccinated, are kept safe. There is no confirmation if the present surge in numbers is the fourth wave of the pandemic. However it cannot be totally overlooked as the health professionals had predicted that a fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic could hit Goa in June. The reassuring news is that it is the milder variant that is in circulation in Goa. The prediction that we have to learn to live with COVID, does appear to be coming true. The variants of the virus are still around and keep spreading even as they remain transmissible. The virus has subsided for brief periods before returning back. Although no restrictions are imposed, all precautions need to be in place to ensure that there is no repetition of what we witnessed before in the earlier waves.       I wish our young students a brighter, healthier and most importantly a safe school life. Read more

The Roman Catholic Church keeps the memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha and Lazarus on 29th July. Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are Patron Saints of Siblings. In its 2021 decree on combining veneration of Mary and Lazarus with Martha, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said, “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the one who humiliated death.” Read more