St. Sebastian Church

The very word Carnival brings lot of excitement in our mind adrenaline triggers within as we used to do many things during these three days. The things were really exempted for the general life. One used to eagerly wait for carnival as there used to be amusement, entertainment, fun and frolic.

All these things I am going to write are my memories of 55 years ago. Fondly remembering and recollecting too.  I will definitely miss some but as you finish reading you may add more and make this story bigger.

As a child in 1960’s, primarily we had the feast of St. Sebastiaò in our Chapel which was very important to all AQUEM-cars including people from Davorlim, Aquem-Baixo and Navelim too, as we belonged to Navelim Parish. On the Fama day we had the procession which came via Margao, and vending through the streets of Aquem. The entire route from Navelim to Aquem was well decorated with Bamboo arches and bursting of crackers all the way. Read more

In the 4^th week of Lent, on 25^th March, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation. The cause for this celebration is something I did not know, but was enlightened by our Parish Priest Fr. Andrew, who revealed in his homily last year on 25^th March, that from 25^th March to 25^th December comprises the 9 months for the birth of Our Lord Jesus.

The Gospel of St. Luke (Ch. 1) begins with the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both old and could not have a child. But, “with God nothing is impossible”. The impossible happened. Elizabeth became pregnant. (vs.24) and “for 5 months she kept to herself remaining at home”. God respected Elizabeth’s feelings and waited till the sixth month to reveal this secret to Mary at the annunciation of Jesus, to confirm ‘the impossible” and strengthen her faith. Read more

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. So that you may be children of your father in heaven”

(Mathew 5: 43 to 48 and Luke 6: 27to 28,  32 to 36)

Because, our enemies are also the children of the one and only Living God. The wrong doer is a child of God and the victim is a child of God. Let us examine the seriousness of the above Teaching of Jesus with an appropriate example.  Read more

You already have been given what you need to begin to create your future. Don’t find yourself saying, “If only I had this… if only I had more money… if only this were different…. then I could do what I am supposed to do”.

People constantly overstate the importance of things they don’t have. Never let what you think you can’t do keep you from doing what you can. Prolonged idleness paralysis initiative for the resistant mind everything is impossible because it seems so.

Do not wait for special circumstances to act, use ordinary situations. We don’t need more strength, ability or opportunity. Use what you have been given. Read more

Korun familik adeus, chol’le ami tarvar,

Gheun to hanso, amchea muka-mollar.

Marun tauz vhor-ia, tarrum tea khellttia doriar,

Ieuncheak porot ghora, zoddun to sonvsar….

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Parenting a teenage child is an anxious few years as parents constantly worry about their children’s future. The most important thing in any parent’s mind during these agonizing years is the higher education of their children. From academic counselling to education fairs to scouting of universities, parents put all their strength in ensuring that their child gets admitted to a prestigious college. After all, a good education is insurance for a child’s future success!

While it is true that a good education helps in landing a well-paying job, it is another matter how your child handles her money in the future. After all, the skill to earn money cannot negate the tendency to spend impulsively. Increasingly, youngsters are courting financial distress in the early years of their working life (remember Sophia’s story from the last edition?) Read more

Lipid Profile is one of the basic investigations requisitioned by one’s family physician / consultant. This includes estimation of Serum Total Cholesterol, HDL – cholesterol (the good cholesterol), LDL – cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and Serum Triglycerides.

Cholesterol is synthesized in our body as well as present in our dietary food. It is appropriately termed as “A necessary evil”. It is required for the synthesis of Vitamin D, steroid hormones and bile acids. It is an important structural component of the cell membrane. Read more

People can be good

People can be bad

They can set your mood

Or even make you sad.

Read more