St. Sebastian Church

PRAYER

Any Prayer, whether personal or community prayer has its own manifold positives. Although generally the elderly people follow the holy tradition piously, the present day generation, at times, more often than not, feel it is a waste of time, In our everyday life, a student understands the importance of homework and regular studies. So also, a sportsperson knows the worth of a daily dose of practice, without which, setbacks are bound to surface. In contrast, in our spiritual life, we tend to forget so easily.

Our Lord invites each one of us to lead a life of prayer so as to inculcate the values of discipline and perseverance in our day to day life. If we wish to grow in faith, we must, at all times, believe in the word of God and trust the Lord at all times. Saying our prayers and participating in the Eucharist, is learning about our religion, while living our life, by the teachings of the Lord, is practicing it. It is very important to develop an attitude of Christian values. Gandhiji, whose Jayanti, is celebrated on 2nd October, often attributed character to something as simple as a thought or a word, which developed into a deed or habit, ultimately turning to character. He often advised people that their every thought and work must spring from love and concern for all. As Catholics, we need to develop our character, attitude and faith. Once such an attitude is developed, it will last, irrespective of the events or circumstances in our life. Let us ask our Lord, to teach us to pray.

Many of our priests and nuns do a lot of Missionary work, working in remote, undeveloped villages, all over India and overseas as well. It’s a lot of dedicated work, done for love of God and part in this challenging life, full of sacrifices. Shortly, we will observe a Mission Sunday and the collections made that day, will be sent to the Missions.

Let’s be generous and contribute with open arms. Remember, it is in giving that we receive. Let us do our bit to reach out to those in need. In return, God will bles us abundantly.

Until we meet again.

Felix Dias
Acting Editor

Otumbr-ache 22ver ami Dhormporgottnecho aitar somorombhtanv. Dhormporgottnecho aitar mhollear amchea dolleam mukhar fokot calendar, envelopes ani toxench aitarachea dhormdanamcho ugdass ieta. Punn khoro dhorm porgottop mhollear kitem, tem ami visortanv. Dhorm porgottop mhollear, ‘Ak’khea sounsarak vochun Devachem xubhvortoman amchea bhavam bhoinnank porgottop’. Bhagevont Paulu mhonnta “Xubhvortoman porgottop mhollear mhaka vhoddvik nhoi punn to mhaka ek kaido, tem hanv korinam zalear mhojem kotta” – 9 kor, 16;
Amerike-chea desant ‘Morgan’ Nanvacho ek Anglican Pastor ani famad ‘Preacher’ asa. Sadhea utranim, lokachea kallzak lagta te bhaxen Devachem utor porgot’ta. Taka chear put asat, ani he tache put aplea Bapai bhaxen bore ‘Preacher’ vortovtat.
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Saint Luke whose feast day we celebrate on 18th October, was one more Gospel Writer (or Evangelist), besides Mathew, Mark and John.

St. Luke was also called LUCANOS or dear and Glorious. Physician was the son of AENEAS and IRIS who were slaves of PRISCUS and ANTONIA, who were Roman aristocrats. AENEAS and IRIS were Greeks. AENEAS was managing the states of his master. Whereas as IRIS was a beautiful Greek slave girl.

PRISCUS and ANTONIA presided over the wedding of the young couple and had given them many gifts. Including the priceless gift of their freedom. So Luke was not a slave when he was born. He Studied at Alexandria which was the ultimate seat of Education at that time. He was a bright student and was well appreciated by his teachers. The teachers wanted him to study the matter of their choice. But he decided to be a doctor (Physician) mainly because he thought that GOD was a tormentor, who punished his creation without a traitor a good reason.

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The onset of the monsoons in India brings both good and bad tidings. Good tidings include welcome relief from the scorching summer heat, bonus to farmers, gardeners etc.  The monsoons bring life but just as easily bring death in the form of the innocuous winged killer, the mosquito. As angry thunderheads break out, hordes of mosquitoes threaten India with sometimes fatal malaria, dengue, filariasis or elephantiasis and other diseases.

Today the mosquito can breed anywhere from a rice field to a cupful of water i.e. basically anywhere where there is dirty or even clean but stagnant water accumulation.

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Blame Game

 Science teaches us that every action has an opposite reaction. In our day to day lives, we continue doing the deeds expected of us. Sometimes, with an open mind, we tend to reach out to others and be a helping hand to get a job done.

As is expected, at times we succeed but on a few occasions, we may not be successful. Many a times, you are glorified, only if things work out right, but a failure attracts condemnation, for no fault of yours. This attitude deters people to come forward with a helping hand.

But there are instances also, where the system failures are deliberate and man-made. Take for example the recent deaths of over 70 innocent children in Gorakhpur, U.P. It is reported that the horrific incident took place due to shortage of oxygen cylinders at the hospital. What a sickening and heinous crime on the poor souls. Who is responsible for this tragedy? Amid wild allegations against individuals and of system failures, the blame game, continues at a furious pace. The suppliers of oxygen cylinders, doctors, hospital management, government ministers and officials, all blaming one another for this sordid fiasco.

In our own State of Goa, the recent deaths of two youngsters allegedly due to overdose of drugs, should make us hang our heads in shame. Here again, the blame game is on Official version and eye-witness accounts of this incident are totally different.

Let us hope and pray that the culprits responsible for all this are made to pay for their misdeeds and may the souls of the unfortunate victims rest in peace.

We, at Pormoll Editorial Board, would like to thank God, for blessing our Editor, Dr. Alfredo Antao, who is now back in Aquem, after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. His will power and full faith in our Lord, is an inspiration to all of us. We wish him well.

I take this opportunity in wishing all our teachers a ‘Happy Teacher’s Day’ on 5^th Sept, and a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ on 8^th Sept. May the 8^th of Sept, the birthday of our heavenly Mother, be an occasion for us to rejoice and celebrate the joyous event. Happy Feast to one and all.

Until we meet again.

Felix Dias

Rather than belt out some clichés on the do’s and don’ts of the teaching profession, I’d like to share an episode that comes to mind from my over forty years in a vocation that is nothing short of a divine calling.

One morning as I walked out of my lecture in the F. Y. BCom class, Susan (name changed) followed hard at my heels. Even before I turned, she grabbed my hand and demanded, “Madam I need to talk to you. When can I come?” Running through my packed schedule for the day, I tried to put it off for the morrow. “No”, she insisted, “it’s got to be today”. Sensing the urgency of the matter I shelved other commitments and asked her to meet me in my cabin during my free period. “Yes Susan”, I said holding her hand in mine. She burst into tears. I let her sob for some time. Then she began “My mother married this lecherous drunkard. My father died leaving us homeless and in utter poverty. Taking advantage of the situation, this man befriended my mother, assuring her that he would take care of both of us. Once married he showed his true colours. I shudder when I think of the physical and mental trauma my mother has gone through. But the worst was yet to come. In my growing up years to my horror, I realized that he was a paedophile. Day or night I am not safe when alone with him in the house. How can I tell this to my mother – already so battered and tormented? There’s no one I can turn to. So I decided to speak to you, before I do something drastic.”

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In ancient times a teacher was considered to be a guru, but sadly only the male child had the privilege of getting educated and that too if he belonged to a certain caste or community.

The other children were not given the opportunity to education. The females on the other hand were completely denied any education except to learn the art of cooking and housekeeping.

The teacher [guru] taught all that he knew, all his skills to the child and most often the child had to live with the teacher [guru] till he had accomplished all the skills.

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