St. Sebastian Church

“Age is a gift, a beautiful gift to be cherished. A gift that offers us memories, reminders of how fortunate we’ve been through the years and of all the people who have blessed the journey we’ve taken. As seniors, we’ve lived and learned, we’ve laughed and cried, we’ve loved and been loved in return. And there is still more to come! “
(Bishop O’Connell’s message)

In the Jubilee year, the Day, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.

As Pope St. John Paul II said: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

Every year on July 20, communities around the world observe Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Day—a time to reflect on the natural, holistic, and ethical approach to family planning that respects both the human body and the dignity of life. Rooted in education, science, and a deep respect for human fertility, NFP is more than just a method of birth regulation; it is a lifestyle grounded in self-knowledge, responsibility, and communication.

If you’re looking to live a long life on earth, there’s a valuable teaching from Jesus Christ that can guide you. As recorded in Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This passage suggests that those who serve Jesus faithfully and efficiently will be valued and retained on earth for a long time, as there is little work for them in heaven.

To become a disciple of Jesus and reap the benefits of a long life, one must obey the Ten Commandments and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Jesus promises “fullness of life” to those who follow him, as stated in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Iere, Iere Pausa, Tula ditam paisa, paisa zalo khotto ani Paus ailo motto. Oxi amche modem ek mhonnim asa. Vell bodollo ani kallui bodollo ghimacho kall somplo ani pausacho kall suru. Ghormi zatali ti sompli ani xitoll vatavoronn suru zalem. Zadd pedd sukem diso tem atam jivall zalem. Zomin pausan fugli ani hirvem hirvem, tonn disunk laglem. Zadd pedd jivall zalem ani nisorg sogllench hansunk laglem Pritvechem rup soglem jivem zalem. Suttio sompun atam Bhurgim Iskolak ani Collegik vosunk laglim. Toxench novem Ghonvllik voros suru zalem. Xikxonnik mhollar Vidiarti Iskol kobar korun Collegint paul martat toxem Xikxok anchi adoll bodollnim zata. Toxich Firgojent vaurtolea Ghonvllianchi adoll bodollnim zata. Konknnin ek mhunnim asa Ailolo Monis vochunkuch zai. Thodde zaitea kallan zalear dusre thoddeach tempan. Fr. Josely ani Fr.Agnelo, tumche Iadnik ekach vorsan vetat tori astana Gonvllik vaur korunk zai aslo tho voros bor kelo. Amkam Gonvllik vaur korunk zaiteamnim borpur adar dilo soglleank tumkam nanv ghe nastanam Dev borem korum mhonnttanv.

Uniqueness of the month of June is the numerous changes taking shape in various aspects of our lives. Change in class- be it in school or college, change in or shift of residence for various reasons or change of Priests in different Parishes are normally the events unfolding in June and this year too is not different.

The sudden and unexpected news of the transfer of both our Parish Priests, Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues and Fr. Josely Rocha came as a rude shock to all of us. Last June, we had welcomed both, Fr. Agnelo and Fr. Josely to our Parish and now within just a year we have to bid them adieu.

Pentecost marks a pivotal moment in Christian history, where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ disciples, empowering them for global mission and witness. This event fulfilled Jesus’ promise and marked the beginning of the church’s mission to spread the gospel to all nations. The passage highlights the significance of Acts 2 (Pentecost) in light of Jesus’ instructions in Acts 1:4-8.

The Key points include:

1. Waiting for the Holy Spirit: Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Father’s promise, the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of this empowerment for their ministry and witness. This waiting period was crucial in preparing them for the significant task ahead.
2. The baptism with the Holy Spirit: Jesus’ promise of baptism with the Holy Spirit was a pivotal moment, empowering the disciples for effective ministry, witness, and service, marking a new era in their relationship with God and their role in spreading the gospel.
3. Power for Witness: The disciples were commissioned to be Jesus’ witnesses, starting in Jerusalem, then expanding to Judea, Samaria, and ultimately to the remotest parts of the earth, fulfilling God’s plan to reach all nations through the gospel.
4. Dependency on the Spirit: The parallel between Jesus’ ministry and the disciples’ ministry highlights the essential role of the Holy Spirit’s power in fulfilling God’s work, emphasizing that both Jesus and the disciples relied on divine empowerment to accomplish their mission.

St. Anthony of Padua, whose feast we celebrate on 13th June, is one of the most popular saints of the Catholic Church, and a member of the Franciscan Order. Anthony was born in 1195 (13 years after St. Francis) in Lisbon, Portugal and given the name of Fernando at Baptism. His parents, Martin and Mary Bulhom, belonged to one of the prominent families of the city.

St. Anthony died in Padua, Italy on 13th June 1231. He was only 35 years of age when he died. He was one of the most quickly canonized saints in the Church History, being canonized by Pope Gregory IX, less than a year after his death. He was proclaimed ‘Doctor of the Church’ by Pope Pius XII on 16th January 1946. He was well-known for his powerful preaching, teaching, knowledge of Scripture and immense love for the poor and the sick. His body was exhumed 32 years after his death. It was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt; so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.

Every year on June 24th, we celebrate the birth of Saint John the Baptist. This is a very special day because apart from Jesus and Mary, John is the only other person whose birth we honor with a feast. That’s because John had a very important job, to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus.

John’s story began with a miracle. His parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were very old and had no children. One day, while Zechariah was praying in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13). Zechariah found this hard to believe, and because of his doubt, he lost his voice until the baby was born.

In this month of June, as we honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Church also turns our gaze to Mary—His mother and ours. Through the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church and the celebration of her Immaculate Heart, we are reminded that Mary is both the tender mother who watches over the Church and the faithful disciple whose heart reflects the love of God.

June 9th – Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

“Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother.” (John 19:26–27)

As Jesus hung on the cross, He entrusted His mother to the beloved disciple John—and through him, to all of us. It is this act of love that the Church reflects upon today, celebrating Mary as Mater Ecclesiae—Mother of the Church.

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)