St. Sebastian Church

A special Mother’s Day celebration was held on 13 September 2026, beginning with the Holy Mass at 8:00 a.m., followed by the programme at 9:00 a.m. The celebration was a joyful and meaningful occasion to honour and express gratitude to all mothers for their unconditional love, care, sacrifices and prayers.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome by the compere, Jiselle, who extended greetings to the mothers, Parish Priest, sisters, catechists, parents and friends. Fr. Ubaldo then addressed the gathering and shared a meaningful message on the special role and importance of mothers in our lives.

The celebration continued with an energetic dance performance by the students of Pre-Communion, Communion and Book 4, who delighted the audience with their enthusiasm and talent. The performance was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. The students of Book 5, 6A and 6B then presented a beautiful song dedicated to their mothers. This was followed by an instrumental performance showcasing the musical talents of students from the various classes.

A full-day youth event ‘Truth Unveiled’ was held at the church by the Live Pure team, bringing together young people for a day of spiritual growth, reflection, fellowship, and energetic community activities. Running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on 23^rd August ’26. The schedule balanced deep, thought-provoking sessions with vibrant praise, interactive games, and sacraments.

Key Sessions & Themes

Session 1: Identity & Sacredness Focusing on who we are in the eyes of God, this opening session emphasized that every individual is uniquely created, valuable, and sacred. Practical ways to embrace and preserve this sacred identity in daily life were discussed.

Investiture Ceremony

The Investiture Ceremony was held on 29th August 2026 with great pride and enthusiasm. The programme commenced with a Prayer Service, seeking God’s blessings for the newly appointed student leaders, followed by the Welcome Address by Rev. Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes. The Chief Guest, Mr. Yogiraj Kamat, was introduced by Tr. Mavelle and presented with a token of appreciation by Tr. Jerisha. The newly appointed leaders then marched forward confidently, which was the highlight of the day, after which they took the oath and were pinned with badges, pledging to fulfil their duties with sincerity and dedication. The Chief Guest Mr. Yogiraj Kamat, addressed the young leaders with inspiring words. This was followed by an address by our Administrator, Madam Cassie D’Souza, who shared valuable thoughts and words of encouragement. Mrs. Nita Rodrigues, PTA Member, also conveyed her good wishes to the newly appointed leaders. The programme concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

“Mhoje Sovem Rigun Ravat” — Jn. 15:4

Apurbaiechea mhojea xelliano,

 Hanv Padri Ubaldo Fernandes, September mhoineantlea PORMOLL masikentlean tumkam khoxalkai aunddetam. Ami kristanv Jezucho pormoll dusreank diteleanv  tor ami Jezunt Rigun ravunk goroz.     Ami Jezucho Mog, Xanti, doia, boreponn ximpddavpachi goroz asa. Jezunt rigun raulear amchim utram, kornneo, sombondh Pormoll zaun Kristak porgottunk zata.

Amche firgojent Pormoll fankarumia. Pormoll – Magnneacho amchea kuttumbant, Pormoll ekvottacho amchea somudaianim, Pormoll- Sevecho amchea gorib dublleank, gorjevontank, Pormoll-bhorvonxeacho, Niraxi zal’leank.

SMILE and make a mark
As I glanced through the various WhatsApp messages this morning, I was struck with a rather curious message which read,” Life is short..Smile while you have teeth”
This quote literally forced me to put my thinking cap on. Have we reached a stage wherein we need to be reminded to smile and avoid a frown? Understandingly, ours is a fast-paced world, with lots of worries to worry about ,carrying unending “To Do ”lists .In such a scenario, a smile on our faces or small moments of laughter are becoming increasingly rare. There was a time when families and friends gathered to share stories and enjoy each other’s company with light hearted jokes. Those moments encouraged relationships and helped us ease the pressures of our daily lives. In sharp contrast, today we are burdened with busy schedules, endless activities and to cap it all, the constant engagement with mobiles, internet and social media. All this leaves little room for healthy relationships. One of the main reasons to have so many disjointed families is because we are too busy with ourselves and have no time to spare for other members of our family and friends. The greatest loss of our busy lives is the simple joy of sharing a smile or laughing together.

1. Opening Prayer

The meeting commenced with a prayer led by SCC 11 & 12, seeking God’s guidance and blessings for the meeting and the parish community.

2. Welcome

The Moderator welcomed all the members on behalf of the Parish Priest and the Executive Committee (EXCO).

My name is Terence D’Souza. I completed my 2 years study of the Word of God through the Word Ministry, at the Goregaon Seminary, Mumbai, in 2012. Before being commissioned I had to face a Life – Threatening Trial. I had to give six talks, one on each section, the Book of Jeremiah duration of One Hour each day. My Final talk was given on the First Thursday of March 2012. The following day, First Friday of the Month,  I was struck by severe malaria, with my platelets falling to just 9000 and on the verge of collapse. Given the Sacrament of Anointing, I was admitted to the hospital. After 6 days, I recovered from Malaria, only to be diagnosed with Typhoid from which I recovered after one month. God chose me to study His Word for 104 Sundays and he assured me my sacrifice would not be in vain.

Dear Readers,

Hope you have read the word of God through the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians and applied the summary we published in the last issue. We continue this series and the Letter we focus for this month is the ‘Second Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians’

Introduction

The Second Letter to the Thessalonians was written by St. Paul shortly after his first letter, around A.D. 51–52, during his stay in Corinth. While the Thessalonians Christians continued to grow in faith despite persecution, some had become confused about the timing of the Lord’s return. Through this letter, St. Paul encourages them to remain steadfast, corrects misunderstandings about the Second Coming of Christ, and exhorts them to lead disciplined, faithful, and productive Christian lives.

What does it mean to be a teacher in a world where a child can ask AI a question and get an answer in seconds? As a Gen-Z educator, I often think about this. We have smart classrooms, digital boards, endless online resources and technology that can do things we could not have imagined a few years ago. Yet, I believe the heart of teaching has not changed. For me, the answer lies in the life of one extraordinary woman—Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa never stood before a classroom with a textbook or a lesson plan. Yet, she taught the world some of its most important lessons: love, compassion, humility, service and hope. Her classroom was life itself, and her students were the people the world often overlooked. That makes me pause and look at my own classroom.

Every girl child is a precious gift from God. She is a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student, and one day, perhaps, a mother, a leader, a teacher, a doctor, a missionary or someone who quietly makes a difference in the lives of others.

The Day of the Girl Child on 6th September gives us an opportunity to stop and think about the girls in our families, churches, schools and communities. It is not only a day to celebrate girls but also a day to ask ourselves: Are we giving every girl the love, respect, safety, education and opportunities she deserves? Sometimes, girls grow up hearing that they should be quiet, obedient or less ambitious. Some are expected to give up their dreams because of financial difficulties or family responsibilities. Others may face discrimination, bullying, abuse or pressure simply because they are girls. These experiences can leave deep wounds.