St. Sebastian Church

A century ago, in 1926, Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday to awaken the Universal Church to its foundational vocation. Rooted in the great commission of the Gospel of Mathew 28:19-20, World Mission Sunday embodies Christ’s command to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” It calls the Universal Church to proclaim the Gospel actively through Baptism, teaching His Commandments and extending spiritual and material support to young faith communities worldwide. This Missionary Mandate is sustained by Jesus’ assurance to remain present with His disciples always until the end of the age. Celebrating its centenary on October 18, 2026, this historic milestone invites believers to embrace the theme, “In the one Christ, we are One.” Over the past one hundred years, the Church’s Missionary Mandate has continually unfolded not as an external task, but as the heartbeat of Christian discipleship.

Some saints are remembered for the words they preached; others for the lives they lived. St. John Paul II is remembered for both. His was a voice that reached across nations, generations and cultures—a voice calling the world back to Christ with courage and hope. His unforgettable invitation, “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ,” was more than a message to the crowds gathered before him. It was the very spirit of his life.

Behind that courageous voice, however, was a man who knew sorrow, suffering and loss. Born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, he lost his mother, brother and father while still young. His homeland also endured the horrors of the Second World War and Nazi occupation. Yet these painful experiences did not weaken his faith. Instead, they deepened his trust in God and helped form the compassionate shepherd he would later become.

Once, a priest said something that stayed with me: “The greatest thing we can do in life is to remain connected to Jesus. When we abide in Him, He gives meaning to everything we do.” Those words made me reflect deeply on the lives of St. Simon the Zealot and St. Jude Thaddeus. They were ordinary men whom Jesus called to become His Apostles, and their relationship with Christ became the foundation of their mission. Although Scripture provides limited information about their personal lives, their witness speaks powerfully about faith, courage, perseverance and hope.

From door to door, the timeless legacy of the Our Lady visits still breathes life into Goan households today. In Aquem, the warmth of hymns, litanies and prayers spreads from one house to another, beginning from the month of October. Although time has changed and reshaped this practice making it look a little different from the past, this tradition holds a special place in the hearts of all Catholics. To understand how the devotion stands strong through time, residents of Aquem from three different generations were asked about their feelings and views towards this tradition.

An invitation to encounter Christ through the Gospels

In a world filled with entertainment on our Mobile phones, associated with Facebook, Instagram etc., wherein we often spend hours on content, I invite you to experience something that can bring us closer to God. The Chosen, a multi-season television series based on the life of Jesus Christ, offers a beautiful opportunity to rediscover our Lord Jesus and the people who encountered Him.

Created by Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen presents the story of Jesus largely through the eyes of those who knew Him—His disciples, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and many others. It brings the world of the Gospels to life and helps us imagine the people, places, struggles and emotions behind the familiar Gospel passages.  

I write this to my brothers and sisters who are retired from their busy schedules and are now at home feeling lonely, lost, depressed and desperate. Add to this the body that is getting weak and slow with aches and pains and the numerous lifestyle diseases of modern times. I know the feeling. The questions that pops up in our mind are: Why has God forgotten us? Why does God make us suffer so much? Why does He not take us away?

STOP   PONDER:   God loves each one of us. He says “I have carved you on the palm of my hand I AM WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF YOUR WAY”. He is by our side every second. He has kept us in this world because He has a mission for each one of us. Jesus suffered on the cross to save us from sin. Today He wants you to offer your suffering, pain and other emotions to purify yourselves and the world.

Understanding the current rise, prevention and when to seek medical care

Goa has recently seen an increase in respiratory illnesses, with more people—particularly children—presenting with fever, cough, sore throat, cold symptoms and body aches. The Directorate of Health Services has reported a rise in influenza-positive cases, from 6 cases in June to 44 in July and more than 70 by August. Health authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant, while reassuring people that there is no need for panic.

For most healthy individuals, these infections are self-limiting. However, because several viruses can cause very similar symptoms, it is not always possible to identify the exact cause simply by looking at the symptoms.

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.