Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Ascension of Jesus into heaven acquaints us with this deeply consoling reality on our journey: in Christ, true God and true man, our humanity was taken to God. Christ opened the path to us. He is like a roped guide climbing a mountain who, on reaching the summit, pulls us up to Him and leads us to God. If we entrust our life to Him, if we let ourselves be guided by Him, we are certain to be in safe hands, in the hands of our Saviour, our Advocate.(Credits: Pope Francis) Biblical Account

Then they gathered around Him and asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11)

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‘Jesus my Guide’, painting presented to St Sebastian Church, Aquem

A painting titled, ‘Jesus my Guide’ …walking in the footsteps of Christ…! done of charcoal on paper was presented to St Sebastian Church, Aquem – Alto, Margao by Maendra Alvares, Founder of Ancestral Goa, Big Foot Museum, Loutolim, on the occasion of International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles of the World and Veneration of Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, felicitated by Goa Capuchin Province. Alvares, had visited the exhibition earlier and was impressed with it. It may be recalled Maendra Alvares, who has a distinctive collection of crosses around the globe had collaborated with Cedric da Costa for the ‘All Goa Roadside Crosses’ contest and exhibition at Big Foot Museum recently.

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Love Your Enemies

Jesus taught us to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-28, 32-36). This teaching emphasizes that both the wrongdoer and the victim are children of God.

Consider a family conflict where a son harms his brother. Retaliation would increase pain and sorrow for the parents. Instead, parents desire the wrongdoer to repent and seek forgiveness. Similarly, God expects His children to forgive and seek justice through appropriate means.

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Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

” Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh, drinks my blood, has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (Jn 6:53-57)

Two months earlier, the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, was observed on Maundy Thursday in a sombre atmosphere leading to Good Friday. The liturgy on the day also commemorates Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the priesthood, and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

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The Most Holy Trinity A Central Mystery of Christian Faith

“In no other subject is error more dangerous, or inquiry more laborious, or the discovery of truth more profitable, than the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”— St. Augustine.

Although it is far beyond our limited minds and wisdom to fully decipher the profound mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, I in all humility endeavor to pen a few lines—aware that this great mystery can only be embraced through the eyes of faith. With this in heart, I proceed, not to explain, but to contemplate the wonder of the Triune God.

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Vitamin C Deficiency

Scurvy is a condition that results from vitamin C deficiency. Everyone loves a curvy smile, but a scurvy smile? Probably not. Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.

Vitamin C is used to :-

  1. Form an important protein called collagen, used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
  2. Heal wounds and form scar tissue
  3. Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth
  4. Aid in the absorption of iron

The body is not able to make vitamin C on its own. It does not store vitamin C. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.

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Mission Experience – Report

The St. Sebastian Catechetical Association organized an overnight mission experience to Zogati Nature Farm, in Birondem village, Valpoi providing a unique opportunity for catechists to connect with the local community and deepen our faith. The farm belongs to the Archdiocese of Goa and is filled with abundance of flora and fauna. The trip was a perfect blend of spiritual enrichment and fun activities, allowing us to experience the scenic beauty and tranquility of the village.

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Saints Peter and Paul: Pillars of Hope in the Early Church

Each year on June 29, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul—two towering apostles who helped lay the foundation of the Christian faith. Though they came from different backgrounds and had different missions, yet both these saints are united in their martyrdom, legacy, and, most importantly, their unwavering hope in Christ.

Hope in Human Weakness: The Journey of Peter

St. Peter, a humble fisherman, was called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men.” He was impulsive, brave, and flawed —qualities we often see in ourselves. His denial of Jesus during the Passion is a reminder of our own human weakness. Yet, after the Resurrection, Jesus forgives Peter with unconditional love and entrusts Peter with the care of His Church, saying, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17).

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Sondex – May 2025

Maiacho mhoino purumentacho mhoino zaun asa. Sogllo lokh pausa panneak sugur korunk zaitem Purmentachea festak Gheun dovortalim Zaum tho tandull ghotto vo Mirsango, ollsannem, Para ani Lonnchem ani pausak lagu zateleo torekvar vostu.

Ghoramche nholle portun saf vo nitholl korunk zai asle, Vanxe vo Kambi piddear zalear theo kaddun dusreo Kambi ghalunk zai asleo.Ho ghoracho vaur korta astanam pausallo lagim pavla oxem distalem.Sogllo lokh toyarek lagtalo saf sufai kortalo oxe toren amchem jivit choltalem.

Vorsam zaun ghelim ani atam vellacho orthuch bodol’lo. Atam khuimchai kallar paus ieta ani paus ieunk zai aslo tednam koddok koddok voth marta. Koslem koddok voth khaun xim poddtalem tem atam sogllem bodol’lam. Atam moniskulluch bodol’la mhonnllear chukichem zaumchenam. Adim Aimori ghantt vazli mhonnttoch sogllo lokh ap-aplea ghora portotalo punn atam mudar zalam, atam Aimori zata tednam ghorantlim bair sortat.

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Editorial – May 2025

Following the 40 days of abstinence during Lent, it was truly a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, Easter, one of the most important celebrations in the Catholic faith, was not just about attending the Easter vigil and midnight Mass or munching on Easter eggs but to many it is an occasion to follow their own age old traditions. It was a day of eating and making merry with family and friends.

Children enjoyed the breaking of Easter eggs after doing the egg-hunt, with some having their names designed on the eggs artistically. It was a reflection of some cherished traditions, both past and present, those that make Easter truly special.

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