St. Sebastian Church

Inner freedom is to de-clutch the mind and abide in the stillness. God desires inner freedom for us to grow in self-knowledge and to live out of that, which means, to let go of what does not help us and to love God and love others.

Inner freedom is more about learning to develop a healthy and harmonious relationship with the variety of emotional states one is likely to occupy over the course of one’s lifetime and to respond open-heartedly to God’s invitation to be joyful and to live each moment to the fullest. Read more

In the Holy Bible, in Genesis 1 of the Old Testament, we are told of God creating the World; soon he added life, water, plants and humans to his creation, thereby making the environment comprehensive for us humans to grow and prosper.

This was the initial vision of God the Father when He planned to create the Universe and placed us human beings into it. Read more

As the month of October nears, our thoughts go to the 13^th of October, Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. For most feasts we give much time to go to her nine days prior with our needs and lack. However, from this feast onwards, we have the privilege of our Blessed Mother visiting our homes, staying with us for 24 hours and bringing into our hearts the desire to keep her company with the recitation of the Rosary, which she has been calling for repeatedly. Read more

Apovnnem tin (3) bhaxen asunk zata, Kazari jivitak, ankvari jivitak ani dhormik jivitak. 99 % lok fattim-fuddem polloinastanam kazar zata. Thoim legun kazari jivitak apovnnem asunk zai. Ek boro avoi/bapui vo boro ghov/bail zaunk ek dennem Devachem. Dusre bhaxechem apovnnem mhollear atam-atam zaitim zannam sodun ghetat tem mhollear ankvari jivit sarchem. Haka novoch nett mell’la, karann zaitim zannam, odik korun cheddvam sirvis kortat ani tim konnacher poddun nant. Tisre baxechem apovnnem mhollear adinch thaun asa ani tem mhollear dhormik apovnnem. Hanga gozal kortat ti fokot dhormik jivitachea apovnneachi. Haka chodd korun ami apurbaien “Dev apovnnim” mhonntanv. Konnui eklo cheddo, padri vo cheddum, madr zaunk ieujita. Tankam aplem apovnnem sodun kaddunk favo to adhar diunk zaiteo suvato asat. Read more

Several times, we have found trust in Divine Providence to be a source of comfort to all of us in times of exigencies. It is God’s mercy that has saved us of the disastrous consequences of the recent cyclones, floods and landslides which left trails of destruction in many of our neighbouring states. Several places of our own, especially in the north and the coastal areas of Goa, have also been badly affected after the recent rain fury.

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On 21st September, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. His life is an example and a beautiful reminder of the words of Oscar Wilde: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Meeting Jesus was the best thing that happened in his life. After his first encounter with Jesus, Matthew was not the same man anymore. He undergoes a total transformation in his life: from being despised to being loved; from being corrupt to being just; from being a traitor to being a faithful follower; from selfishness to selflessness; from being a sinner to being a saint. Read more

We celebrate the birthdays of great leaders, sometimes even after their death. On such occasions we remember their origin, their person, and with reverence express our gratitude for the work they have done for the country and for mankind. The thought that such zealous and great men existed or exist, evokes in us, a sense of pride and hope. Similarly, we rejoice on the birthdays of our family members, relatives and friends. By offering them birthday gifts and greetings we wish them well and express our gratitude for the love and fellowship which we have experienced through them. Read more

Any mention of Mother Teresa always brings to mind the untiring services she rendered to the poor, the needy, the destitute, the down-trodden of Kolkata. She was awarded the Nobel Peace prize but people still remember her more for her noble services. She received worldly acclaim for the Nobel Peace Prize, which many would have soon forgotten; but for her noble services to the poor and needy, she received heartfelt and last gratitude from the persons who mattered to her. Someone once asked Mother Teresa what she did when she was in Kolkata. She said “Every day I see Jesus Christ in all His distressing disguises”. Read more

Securing the future is on everyone’s mind today. We plan and save and invest in order to meet the rising expenses and future life events. But aren’t we stressing ourselves too much today to make our tomorrow better? Many would say, yes!
Financial stress is the major cause of unhappiness among adults in our country. Most of us find ourselves sticking to jobs we don’t love, just to pay the bills. What if you wake up tomorrow and don’t have to work for a living! You can play a musical instrument instead of punching numbers, or teach poor children instead of writing codes – whatever your heart pleases!
Remember how Kevin and Stacy found their calling in life, and Shawn geared up to building a financially independent future (stories in the previous editions)? They all committed to creating an additional, passive source of income! Read more

The Feast of Our Lady of Dolours is commemorated on 15th September. You may wonder as to why this day is earmarked. It should have found its place in Lenten season as Mother Mary suffered most during this period. But the Church has set aside 15th September, as this day, and we recollect the pain and suffering that Mother Mary went through in her life, after her conception of baby Jesus or rather said “yes” to the will of God.  Read more