St. Sebastian Church

Some saints inspire us by their miracles, some by their words, but St. Sebastian touches our hearts by his courage to suffer, to love, and to die for Christ.

He was young. He had a future filled with honour, comfort, and promise. Yet, when the world asked him to be silent about his faith, he chose faithfulness over fear. When he was saved the first time, he could have easily walked away and lived a quiet life. But he did not. He returned to proclaim the Good News, because he knew why he was sent. Pierced by arrows, wounded and rejected, he still did not give up on God or on people.

We read in Acts of the Apostles, 2, 44-45, the early Christian community in Jerusalem demonstrated extreme unity and generosity by holding all possessions in common. Believers, acting as “one heart and soul” sold lands and houses, bringing the proceeds to the apostles to distribute based on individual needs, ensure no one was needy.

The above report of in the Acts tells us, first, how the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus worked powerfully in the early Church. The community Spirit was the witness to the word, the Church grew far and wide, mission of Salvation was proclaimed to the Nations and the early Christian community became powerful witness of the Resurrection of Christ.

As the Church prepares to enter the sacred season of Lent, we are invited once again to slow our pace, to look inward, and to journey with Jesus toward the Cross. Lent is not merely a time of sacrifice and discipline; it is a season of remembrance of love poured out without measure, of a debt we could never repay, yet one that was completely settled on our behalf.

There is a powerful moment recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus, battered and bruised, hanging on the Cross, lifts His eyes and speaks words that echo through history: “It is finished.” (John 19:30). In the original language, the word He used-tetelestai-was commonly written on receipts to indicate that a debt had been paid in full. Nothing remained outstanding. Nothing more was required.

Exams are important; but they’re not a horror movie.

For students:

Study a little every day (your brain prefers snacks, not buffets). Understand concepts, practise a few questions, and please sleep All-nighters impress your eye bags, not examiners.
In the exam hall, read the question properly (yes, properly), start with what you know, and keep an eye on the clock…not like it’s a thriller, just a friendly glance.

At the heart of the Church’s liturgical year is the Holy Triduum, the three most sacred days that celebrate the one saving mystery of our faith-the Christ Event: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. These days do not merely recall historical moments; they make present the Paschal Mystery through which humanity is redeemed. As St. Paul reminds us, “Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The Triduum begins on the evening of Holy Thursday, reaches its solemn height on Good Friday, and finds its fulfillment in the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Though spread over three days, it is one continuous liturgical celebration of Christ’s saving work.

Gratitude And Repentance Leads to  a Happier Future

Every passing year gives us as it ends a chance to look back and examine our life during that period. We find that we we have been blessed by God in so many ways directly or through intermediaries, but we have been benefitted. This realisation awakens us to be grateful in so many ways to many around us. During the last year I have been blessed by God in so many ways while many of my colleagues, friends and relatives have not been as lucky to receive such privileges. I did have losses and pains but they had more. I complained that I did not have shoes until I saw a man who had no feet. How grateful I must be to God. I cursed my dear ones because they don’t spend some time with me until I met a lady whose all relatives abandoned her. How much God has blessed me! Gratitude to God has to be my constant attitude! That will keep content and relaxed. What better happiness can we expect?

Novea vorsak ami survat ditany Ankvar Maria, amche sorguinche avoicher nodor ghalun, “Bhagevont Maria Devachi Mata”, hi sevadhormik porob korun. Je porim ek dhakttem bhurgem aple avoichea hatak dhorun poilech pavtt cholunk lagta tech baxen sorguinche avoichea hatak dhorun novea vorsant ami panvlam ghalunk sodhtanv.

Kaim vorsam pattim amchea gonvlli bapan amkam ho vixoi dil’lo:
“Hanvem tumkam kelam toxench tumi-i korat”. Jezu aplea bara apostlam sangata nimannem jevonn kortana aplea xisanche paim dhuvun zalea uprant heam utram vorvim tankam lhanvikaien kel’le sevechi vatt dakhoita…

When we think of the Epiphany of our Lord or the Three Kings feast our thoughts are of the three wise men who hurried in haste to visit Jesus, they most probably were learned men who studied the stars and at the same time may have been familiar with the prophecy from the holy books that is the prediction about the birth of a king the savior to the world.

They in all probability may have left at dusk when the stars could be seen, so they could follow the star which was their guiding light, these men wanted to carry the most precious gifts to the new born king, so what were the gifts they opted for?

January 14th is the Feast Day of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai, the first Indian lay martyr to be beatified.

He is the first Indian martyr, the first Tamil saint, the first Indian layman [to be canonized]…

Devasahayam, whose Christian name means Lazarus in Tamil, grew up in an affluent family. By his early 30s, he had been a soldier, an officer in the court of the Kingdom of Travancore, and in charge of the King’s treasury. Bl. Devasahayam connected with the meaning of suffering in the Book of Job. He took the name Devasahayam, Tamil for the Biblical name Lazarus, meaning, ‘God has helped.’ Banished to the forest of Aralvaimozhi for sharing the Good News, he prayed to God and hit a rock with his elbow, which miraculously gave water to quench his thirst. Even today, people drink this water of the Muttidichan Parai ‘rock from which the water now gushes forth’ to receive God’s healing. When Neelakanta Pillai was baptised a catholic in 1745, at the age of 32, he attended Church, frequented the sacraments, evangelized others, and spoke against injustice.

St. Joseph Vaz was born on 21 April 1651 in the village of Benaulim in Goa, at a time when the Christian faith was growing but also facing many challenges. From a young age, Joseph showed a deep love for prayer and learning. He studied philosophy and theology and was ordained a priest in 1676. Even as a young priest, he was known for his humility, simple lifestyle and great concern for the poor and the sick.

During his time, many parts of Asia, especially Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), were facing severe persecution of Christians. Churches were destroyed, priests were banished and people were afraid to openly practise their faith. Hearing about the suffering of Christians there, Fr. Joseph Vaz felt a strong call from God to serve them. Leaving behind the comfort of his homeland, he volunteered to go as a missionary. He joined the Oratorian Congregation of Goa and in 1687 set out on a dangerous journey to Sri Lanka, trusting completely in God.