St. Sebastian Church

The President, Rev Fr S. N. Fernandes in his address conveyed that this month is dedicated to pray for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. He explained, that suicidal thoughts should not be viewed merely as an individual failing or individual sin. He emphasized that many social influences contribute to a person reaching that situation. He said that society, social media and even the environment within one’s own family can play a role shaping a person’s mental and emotional well-being. The parish priest further explained that people from all walks of life may find themselves in such situations due to stress and other challenges and our Church is deeply concerned about this issue. He pointed that people facing such problems or stress should reach out and interact with their dear ones. So that others can help, pray for them or guide them to seek counselling. The contact numbers of special priest counsellors are displayed in the notice board and everyone was encouraged to seek their help without cost. He stated that priests are always ready to offer help and during the sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession the priests also provide proper guidance and direction. As parishioners, everyone was reminded, to care for one another through visits and regular inquiries about each other’s well-being

Christmas is one of the most joyful times of the year: we decorate our homes, exchange gifts, enjoy delicious food, and spend time with family and friends. But in the middle of all the celebration, it is important to pause and remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Christmasis about the birth ofJesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to bring us hope, peace and salvation. When Jesus is at the center of Christmas, everything else findsitstruemeaning.The lightswe hang remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. The gifts we give help us remember the greatest gift God gave us, His only Son. The joy we feel reflects the joy the shepherdsfeltwhen they heard the good news ofJesus’ birth.And the star on top ofourtree reminds us ofthe starthatguidedthewisementothenewbornKing.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the humanity that is the creation of God was in disgrace and Satan took control taking the humanity on the wrong path allowing sin to reign. To save the humanity from the snares of the devil, God had to choose another woman who was holy and the preparation started from the day Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother St. Anne.

As we know we are born with original sin and all of us are baptized to do away the blot of this sin. But Mother Mary according to the Catholic dogma was conceived without the stain of original sin. This was formally defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 and is celebrated on December 8th, a holy day of obligation for Catholics.

His Legacy, Recent Controversies, and Lessons for the Future

Few figures are as deeply woven into Goa’s spiritual, cultur a l, and historical identity as St. Francis Xavier, affectionately known as Goencho Saib. A Jesuit missionary who arrived in Goa in 1542, Xavier spent 4 years in Goa over a 10-year period serving the poor, tending to the sick, and preaching across the region before traveling onward to other parts of Asia. His tireless journeys, from India to Malacca to Japan, earned him a reputation as one of the greatest missionaries in Christian history. After his death in 1552, his body was brought back to Goa, where it continues to rest in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, attracting millions of pilgrims every decade during the Solemn Exposition of his sacred relics.

(Held on 9th November 2025 at Our Lady of Rosary Hall, Navelim)

The Deanery Altar Servers Animator, in collaboration with the Diocesan Catechetical Unit, organized the Altar Servers Jubilee and Bhavarth Porgotumia on 9th November 2025 at Our Lady of Rosary Hall, Navelim. The event brought together altar servers from various parishes of the deanery for a day of faith, fellowship, learning, and joyful celebration.

The programme began promptly at 9:00 a.m. with an energetic action song, setting a lively and enthusiastic tone for the day. This was followed by an inspiring talk on the life of St. Maria Goretti, highlighting her purity, forgiveness, and deep faith, virtues that altar servers are encouraged to imitate in their ministry.An action song presented by the Sanguem unit added vibrancy to the gathering. Aseminarian then shared his personal testimony of responding to God’s call to the priesthood, encouraging the young participants to listen attentively to God’s voice in their own lives. The spiritual heart of the celebration was the Eucharistic Celebration, where all the altar servers participated with reverence and devotion.

Saint Stephen was a deacon in the early church of Jerusalem. Soon after Jesus’s resurrection he was chosen to serve along with many others to look after the well being of the fellow Christians. His role was to distribute food and aid to the poor specially widows. He was known for his wisdom, faith and miracles which was liked and held respect with the early believers.
Stephen preached boldly about Life of Jesus. His teachings were well corded and disliked by the other religious leaders who felt threatened about his fame and they began to accuse him of his speaking against the Temple and the old Jewish Law. Thus, he created a rift and anger amongst the Jewish leaders. He was brought before the council for questioning. During one such trial he delivered a powerful speech defending his new faith which provoked them and were furious, dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. As he was dying Stephen prayed for the attackers saying “Lord do not hold this sin against them”, thus act of forgiveness made a strong impact on Christian charity.

As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the evening of 24th December 2024, he ushered in the widely-anticipated 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and will mark its conclusion on 6th January 2026 with Pope Leo Closing the Holy Door on the Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord. In our Archdiocese we shall conclude our Jubilee celebration on 28th December 2025.

The Meaning of the Holy Door
The origin of the custom goes back to Pope Martin V who, for the Extraordinary Jubilee of 1423, opened a Holy Door to enter the Lateran Basilica. In St. Peter’s, it was first used for the Jubilee of 1450. The Holy Door, traditionally opened only during Jubilee years, is more than just an architectural element in a basilica. It marks the following
changes in our Life:
A symbol of Christ, as we read in the Gospel of John Ch:10 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
A path of conversion, calling the faithful to repentance, renewal, and deeper communion with God.
A tangible sign of grace, reminding us that God’s mercy is not an abstract idea, but an invitation we can step into.
Walking through the Holy Door is therefore a journey—one that brings the pilgrim from sin to forgiveness, from darkness to light, and from brokenness to wholeness.

Attachment to Worldly Riches is Detachment from Eternal Bliss

The prophets and the saints, the wisemen and the seers down the ages have been insistently exhorting men against greed and attachment to worldly riches. They had a clue to base human weakness, the greed to grab, exploit others and amass wealth!

Detachment is the key word that many saints sought and taught. The Lord Jesus showed us the way to live heavenly life here on earth when he declared: “The Son of Man has nowhere, not even a stone, to lay his head on” Acomplete detachment!

Vorsachea xevottak pavtana amche borobor hea Sonvsarant poinn kelam, amche sovem khub boreponn, môg ani huskó dakhoila tancho ami mogan ugddas kortanv, tanche pasot magtanv, tanche fondd nitoll korun fulam ghaltanv.

Morun geleant tankam man divop, tancho ugddas ani tanchi puja legun korun tankam amchea jivitant eke baxen hajir dov’rop: osli chal purvileam sonskrutaiam modhem/in ancient cultures odikuch dixtti poddta.

Mel’leam sombondhim dusri gozal mhollear tanchi khobor kortana vô konna chea-i mornnachi mahiti ditana movall utrancho/euphemism vapor ami kortanv, dekhik to piddear zalo, ti bhair poddli, to ghelo/sompló…Mel’lea mon’xa vixim ulovpachi hi poddôt, ghoddunk favó naxil’lem kitem tori ghoddlam, oxem mhunnonk sodhta.

The communion of saints is a teaching of the Catholic faith that we profess in every recitation of the Creed at Mass. Pope St. Paul VI describes the dogma well in his 1968 “Credo of the People of God”: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are attaining their purification and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one church; and we believe that in this communion the merciful love of God and his saints is ever listening to our prayers.” In Latin, the name is “communio sanctorum.” In English, “communion of saints” joins together two of the most beautiful and positive nouns in our language. This short phrase expresses a truth that is supernatural and even mystical – but it evokes a feeling that is as natural and comfortable as family and friendship and camaraderie. It tells us that we belong to a vast fellowship of souls from all the ages of faith.