St. Sebastian Church

“Abide in Me: Building Families Rooted in Christ.”

 30th August, the Day of the Family Apostolate is celebrated throughout our Archdiocese—a special occasion that reminds us that the family is the heart of both the Church and society. It is a day to thank God for the gift of our families, to reflect on the challenges they face, and to renew our commitment to building homes where faith, love, and hope flourish.

This celebration takes an even deeper meaning as our Archdiocese journeys under this year’s pastoral theme, “Abide in Me”. Jesus invites each one of us—and every family—to remain close to Him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains united to the vine, our families find strength, peace, and joy when Christ is at the center of our lives.

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a solemn feast celebrated every year on 22nd August. It commemorates the honor and dignity bestowed upon Mary by God the Father. As the Mother of Jesus Christ, she is rightly honored as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

In 1954, Pope Pius XII instituted this feast through his encyclical ‘Ad Caeli Reginam’, proclaiming Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Mary’s queenship is closely connected with the history of salvation. Chosen by God to be the Mother of His Son, Jesus Christ—the King of Kings—she shares in His royal dignity in a unique way.

The Queenship of Mary is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church. This title does not place Mary above God; rather, it recognizes the extraordinary grace and dignity given to her as the Mother of God.

 August 27th 2022 is a day of great importance and pride to the people of Goa especially the catholic community of Goa and India. This is the day that Pope Francis elevated Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão to the rank of Cardinal.

Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão (born on 20 January 1953) is an Indian Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop of Goa and Daman since 2004. He was previously an auxiliary Bishop of the same archdiocese from 1993 to 2004. Ferrão was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.

Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman and titular bishop of Vanariona on 25th January 1994. He received his episcopal consecration on 10th April 1994 from Archbishop Raul Nicolau Gonçalves in the Se Cathedral in Old Goa, with bishops Aleixo das Neves Dias and Ferdinand Joseph Fonseca as co-consecrators.

Keeping both mind and body in peak shape is essential. The just concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup perfectly illustrates this, transforming into a historic celebration of longevity. Featuring a record-shattering eight players aged 40 or older, the tournament proves that international football careers no longer end at 33. Instead, the world’s biggest sporting event is rewriting the rules of sports science, demonstrating that elite experience is an invaluable asset on the pitch. This same passion for the game thrives right here in our own parish. On the Costa ground, our enthusiastic group of “50+ boys”—with our oldest player nearing 70—takes to the field at least once a week to play side-by-side with the youngsters. Beyond the sheer enjoyment of the game, this activity offers massive health benefits, including deep stress relief and keeping every single muscle active. Goa itself boasts a massive community of veteran footballers who actively compete in local tournaments. Remarkably, the oldest active player among them is 86-year-old Mr. Madhav Netravalkar, a goalkeeper from the north.

“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them.” — Hebrews 13:3

Prison Ministry is a beautiful expression of Christ’s mercy and one of the Corporal Works of Mercy—to visit the imprisoned. It is a ministry of hope that reaches beyond prison walls to remind every person that they are created in the image and likeness of God and are never beyond His love and forgiveness.

When Jesus said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:36), He invited His followers to see Him in those who are forgotten, rejected, or broken. Prison Ministry is not simply about visiting inmates; it is about bringing the healing presence of Christ to people who often struggle with guilt, loneliness, fear, and regret. Through prayer, the Word of God, the Sacraments where available, and compassionate fellowship, hearts can be renewed and lives transformed.

“A Call to Holiness: A day dedication for the Sanctification of the Clergy”

-Our Priests Need Us. Let Us Pray for Them.

What is this Day?

This is a SPECIAL DAY for the Archdiocese of Goa. It is dedicated entirely to praying for the sanctification of our priests and deacons. The whole Archdiocese comes together on this one day with one focus: our clergy

What Does “Sanctification” Mean?

Sanctification = becoming holy

We pray that our priests become more like Christ. We ask God to purify, strengthen, and bless them.

“Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called children of God”.. Mathew 5:9.

In a world wounded by conflict, inequality and division, Church is called to be a beacon of peace and justice. It is not just a day on the calendar but it is a reminder of our Christian duty to build the kingdom of God here on earth- a kingdom founded on love, truth and fairness.

Peace is more than just the absence of war. True peace, the Shalom of God is wholeness-when every person lives with dignity ,security and hope. Justice is more than a court verdict. Biblical justice means giving each person what is due to them as a child of God, especially the poor, voiceless and the marginalised.

You cannot have one without the other. As Pope Paul VI said, “If you want peace, work for justice. Where there is no justice, peace cannot last. Where there is no peace, justice cannot flourish.”

Are you a worried mom? Do you constantly worry about your child falling sick? Does every rainy season or change in weather seem to bring another cough, cold, fever, or allergy? Is your child frequently affected by recurrent respiratory infections, skin allergies, digestive problems, or low immunity? Despite providing healthy food, maintaining hygiene, and following the right dietary practices, does your child continue to fall ill time and again?

If your answer is yes, you are certainly not alone. Many parents share these concerns and often wonder what more they can possibly do.

The encouraging news is that there is much we can do to help strengthen a child’s natural immunity and overall well-being. Building immunity is not about finding a single solution but about nurturing the child physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.

The Inaugural Mass for the Catechetical Year 2026 – 2027 was solemnly celebrated on Sunday, 28th June 2026 at 8:00 a.m at St. Sebastian Church, Aquem.

Theme for the Catechetical Year : “Abide in Me” – Jn 15:4

As a creative gesture, the catechists displayed the logo for this pastoral year. As a symbol of entrusting oneself to God, each member placed a leaf bearing their name on the Holy Cross, signifying their commitment to “Abide in Christ” and grow together as one family in faith.

The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes, Parish Priest. In his homily, Fr. Ubaldo reflected on the theme “Abide in Me”, emphasizing that catechists, students and parents are called to remain deeply rooted in Christ in order to bear lasting fruit in faith and witness. He asked all to nurture a living relationship with Jesus through prayer, the Sacraments and service.

Theme: “Abide in Me” (John 15:4)

The Youth Inaugural of St. Sebastian Church, Aquem was successfully conducted with the inspiring theme “Abide in Me” (John 15:4). The celebration began with the Holy Eucharistic Celebration, which was beautifully animated and celebrated by the parish youth. During the Mass, the newly formed Youth Executive Committee and members solemnly took their Youth Oath, reaffirming their commitment to serve God, the Church, and the community with dedication and faith. A special highlight of the celebration was the release of the youth music video, “Mhoje Sovem Rigun Ravat,”  which was written by Fr. Ubaldo, inspired by the programme theme and symbolizing the youth’s desire to remain united with Christ. Following the mass, the gathering brought together the parish youth, parish leaders, and guests for a meaningful day of fellowship, faith, and spiritual growth.

The programme began with refreshments, allowing participants to interact and build friendships in a welcoming atmosphere. This was followed by a warm welcome extended to the Parish Priest and Youth Animator, Fr. Ubaldo, the guest speaker Fr. Menoy, Sr. Godwina, and all the youth present. The significance of the theme “Abide in Me” was highlighted, encouraging everyone to remain rooted in Christ and grow together in faith, love, and service.