St. Sebastian Church

As part of the ongoing Jubilee 2025 celebrations, the St. Sebastian Parish, Aquem, organized an exciting 3-a-side Inter-SCC Penalty Shootout Challenge for both Men and Women on 29th June 2025. The event aimed to foster fellowship, healthy competition, and community spirit among the Small Christian Communities (SCCs) of the Parish.

The Church ground buzzed with enthusiasm as teams from various SCC’s competed in high-energy matches marked by skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The shootout format added to the thrill, with every goal and save, drawing loud cheers from the gathered crowd.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,

Into that heaven of freedom my Father, let my country awake.” –
Rabindranath Tagore

Independence Day has a cherished place in the hearts of every Indian marked with the triumph of unity, resilience, and the undying spirit of its people. It reminds us of the hard-earned freedom from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947, through decades of torture, oppression, war and sacrifices. It marks the beginning of a new era in India’s history.

This celebration was held at Pilar Community House on 13 July, 2025 and was attended by our representatives, Mr. Ronny Dias and Mrs. Sarita Pinheiro.

The gathering began by signing the attendance the participants who were welcomed with delicious snacks in the Refreshment Hall. The Jubilee celebration began at 9.15 a.m. introducing the participants with a short performance by Gospel Band and warming them up with action songs. The prayer service was held at 10 a.m. with Bible readings, reflection and
response of hymns.

St. Monica is known as one of the most loving and patient mothers in the history of the Church. Her life teaches us a very important lesson: never give up praying, especially for the people you love. She is remembered not for fame or miracles, but for her deep faith, strong hope, and constant prayers. Monica was born in North Africa in the 4th century. She was a Christian from a young age. When she grew up, she was married to a man named Patricius, who was not a Christian. He had a bad temper and lived a very different life from Monica. But she stayed calm and patient. Instead of arguing, she prayed silently and lived her faith. Over time, her love and
goodness touched her husband’s heart. Before he died, he became a Christian.

“The family is the first school of human values, where we learn the wise use of freedom.” – Pope Francis
On this special day, we turn our hearts and attention to the Family Apostolate—a gentle yet powerful reminder that
our families are the first and most vital mission fields entrusted to us by God.

The Day of Family Apostolate is not just a celebration; it is a call. A call to strengthen bonds, rekindle prayer at home, and become living witnesses of faith, hope, and love in our everyday family life. Whether we are parents, children, grandparents, or single members of a wider family, each of us is called to nurture an environment where Christ is at the center.

Hope does not disappoint us.

My beloved brothers and sisters of St Sebastian Parish, Aquem Alto.

After a long tenure of Parish work in many Parishes I have the privilege of working in this Parish of distinguished parishioners remarkable in their faith and way of life. I am pleased to be warmly welcomed by you and I have seen in this nearly one month how great and noble you are.

I am particularly pleased with the unity and participatory spirit with which you render your services to the Lord in particular in the Church, the wonderful responsibility the musicians display unitedly in playing their instruments for all the Masses, the Parish Pastoral Council promptly bearing the burden of organizing the Masses and showing great concern for the Parish Priest and other needs of the Parish, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in their quick willingness to render the sacred service, the Legion of Mary offering to keep the linen of the altar and sacred vessels clean and tidy, the Catechists for their elaborate preparation of the liturgy and care of the children and so on.

If we look around us,there is so much unrest and animosity amongst fellow beings. Disputes in families, leading to so many broken families, quarrels and tussles among neighbours at times, even because of silly reasons, States having issues with one another for sharing river waters and also the earmarked boundaries and worst of all nations bombarding other nations killing thousands of innocent civilians, thus igniting the fears of another World War.

We all know, peace and harmony are fundamental for a thriving society, allowing individuals to coexist and prosper while pursuing their own goals without fear of conflict or violence. A peaceful and harmonious environment fosters cooperation, understanding and mutual respect, leading to a more stable and prosperous world.

Benedict was born in the year 480. He died on 21st March 547, at the age of 67. We celebrate the feast of St. Benedict on the 11th of July.

Benedict was born in a noble Roman family, in Nursia, Central Italy, roughly 100 miles north-east of Rome. His father was a Prefect of the Western Roman Empire. He had a twin sister named Scholastica who also became a Saint. She established the first Benedictine community of women at the age of 67.

As a youth, Benedict was sent to Rome for studies, but he was disappointed by the bad behaviour of his classmates. At the age of 20, he left his studies in Rome to seek a life of more value. He moved to the countryside about 40 miles from Rome, accompanied by his nurse who cared for him like a mother. They moved in with some holy men in the Church of St. Peter. There his nurse accidentally broke a dish used to sift wheat. She was very upset. Seeing this Benedict miraculously mended the dish and returned it to her. News of this spread quickly and Benedict became the talk of the town.

Saint Joaquim and Saint Anne whose feast we celebrate on 26th July are the maternal grandparents of Jesus. They are parents of Virgin Mother Mary.

Joaquim was a wealthy generous man who supplied sacrificial sheep to the temple in Jerusalem and his wife Anne a pious, devout lady full of compassion. They were childless for a long time and Saint Anne was advanced in age. However, they never lost hope in GOD. Prayed incessantly to God to bless them with a child. It is written in the books that St. Joaquim and St. Anne arrived in the temple to make an offering. But were rejected by a man named Rubim likely a Leviticus priest, because they were childless saying it is not right for you to bring an offering as you have no offspring in Israel. To be childless was a disfavour from God.

World Nature Conservation Day, observed annually on July 28, serves as a crucial reminder of the need to preserve and protect our planet’s precious natural resources. Nature is not merely the scenic backdrop to human life—it is the very lifeline that sustains us. Despite the wealth of knowledge, research, and education that has been dedicated to environmental conservation, it is deeply concerning that much of the world continues to neglect or underestimate the urgency of this issue. With the escalating threats of climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this observance calls upon individuals, communities, and governments alike to reflect, act, and adopt more responsible and sustainable practices. World Nature Conservation Day is not just about awareness—it is a call to action to safeguard the future of our planet.