St. Sebastian Church

Saint Joseph Vaz, born on 21 April 1651 in Benaulim Goa (India) was an Oratorian priest and missionary in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). He entered Ceylon when the Dutch ruled and they had imposed Calvinism as the official religion. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the Sacraments to groups of Catholics. Later in his mission, he found shelter in the kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely. By the time of his death, Fr. Vaz managed to rebuild the Catholic Church on the Island.
As a result of his work, Fr. Vaz is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. On 21 January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, in Colombo. He was canonized on 14 January 2015 by Pope Francis in an open-air Mass ceremony at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Read more

Nikhil was not an ordinary child. The only son of a well-settled family in Goa, Nikhil was blessed with a loving family, handsome features, and a bright mind. He was barely two when he could recite popular rhymes, garnering proud smiles from his doting parents. As he grew, he not only excelled in academics, always managing to be one of the top three rankers in the school, but also in sports, especially football, his favourite game. Nikhil had also inherited the musical gene from his mother – his fingers deftly creating magic with six strings, earning him friends and admirers throughout his teenage life. Read more

God is the ultimate healer of any illness and the doctor is only the mediator. We have heard of miracles performed by saints where hopeless cases which were given up by doctors have been cured through the intercession of saints and God, baffling the medical fraternity. Also there are testimonies of certain bad habits, vices etc which can cause problems and illnesses for family members, not necessarily for the family member having these habits, but for others. Many have testified how a good honest confession of sins with a priest has cured them of physical ailments which could not be cured medically. Below are a few examples. Read more

St. Paul’s entire life can be explained in terms of one experience – his meeting with our Lord Jesus, on the road to Damascus. He was originally named Saul and was a Pharisee in Jerusalem. He was from the wicked lot and after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he swore to wipe out the new Christian Church. He persecuted the early Christians. He created havoc, entering their homes, sending some to prison – even putting some to death. Read more

Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.
The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic. 26 January was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime. Read more

2018 was an eventful year to all of us, be in all fronts. We have many incidents to narrate of these 365 days. To begin with, we ushered in a new year 2018 and then on we have so many incidents that have happened in our lives, may be with our families, may be at workplace, with friends or even in our Church. We had many activities planned for our parishioners. Many Parishioners participated, whilst many lost an opportunity. All who were a part of this parish family have many good memories to narrate, which is a treasure in the years to come. Read more

As the month of November, dedicated to the holy souls fades away, the somber feelings too recede. This is the fag end of the Liturgical Calendar and the New Calendar begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the season observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. For all of us, it is never too early to start preparing for this festive season, especially given how hectic things can get in December. Everyone wants Christmas to be a special occasion and it is always a special moment for the families in particular. Read more

Saint, Priest, Missionary (1506- 1552)

The patron saint of missionaries and one of the founders of the Jesuits order – the Society of Jesus was officially recognized by Pope Paul III in 1540. He was beatified by Pope Paul V on 25th Oct 1619 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622.

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The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, free from original sin was by virtue of the merits of her Son Jesus Christ. God had pre-determined that Mary should be the mother of Jesus Christ, that is why, she was born without the stain of original sin. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence. All Catholics believe in this doctrine of Immaculate Conception. But Mary was not exempted from the temporal penalties of sorrow and bodily infirmities. Like any mother she was never separated from the sufferings of her Son.

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