St. Sebastian Church

When I joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, I pledged that I would work like Christ, by obeying the greatest commandment – “Love God and love your neighbour”. This society is an Organisation of Catholic lay people who practice Christianity by helping those in need. I joined this society more than 20 years ago. When I first joined I did not know much about this society. But over the years, I have been deeply impressed with the work of St. Vincent de Paul conference. Read more

Accidents have been occurring frequently at an alarming rate. This has been a main concern. It has been noticed that accidents occur mainly due to negligence or carelessness of the drivers. It has been a habit of some people whilst driving it is mandatory to overtake a vehicle even if that vehicle is going at a normal maximum speed limit of the road. 

This results in recklessness and sometimes a head on collision of the vehicle coming from opposite direction can happen. Always slow down a bit if a vehicle is trying to overtake you and let the vehicle pass. In a sharp U turn or bend always change your vehicle to a lower gear or slow down so that the vehicle or motorbike is under control and does not go off the road

Patience must be cultivated in the minds of the drivers. Read more

Dental cavities also known as caries or decay are the most common chronic disease in children. About 1 out of 5 children aged 5-11 years has at least one untreated tooth with decay.

Early childhood caries is a significant dental concern affecting children aged from birth to six years old. The vulnerability of young children to tooth decay stems from the thinner enamel layer on their primary teeth compared to permanent teeth. This susceptibility highlights the necessity of carefully monitoring children’s sugar intake and oral hygiene practices. Regular dental visits should also be prioritized to ensure the proper development and vitality of baby teeth. Read more

Mogall Firgozkaramno,

July mhoineachea poilea sumanant akhea Bharotant bhurgeank gheun ami mellot thoim sorkari kocherinim Vanmahotsava monoitat ani zaddam rovunk uskaitat. Ekdom bori vost ti. Bori mhonnta tednam don torenim ti sonvoim bori. Eke vatten zaddam rovun vatavoronn ekdom bore toren samballunk ek soglleam von boro upai. Uskar gheunk nivoll oxygen toiar zata. Thonddai samballta. Zomnichi mati ghott dovrunk borem zata. Dusre vatten zaitim zhaddam mon’xank khaunk ruchichim follam toiar korta.

Zomnint lhan so fond kaddunk ani tantunt lhan-xi zaddachi rompi lavunk ekdom sompem. Punn tea zhaddak goroz tem udok ani sarem vella-vella ghalunk bhov toddeank ugddas zata. Teach karannak lagun Vanmahotsava  kortanam vorsan-voros teach suvatecher zhadd rovunk monis dixtti poddta. Fottu bi kaddlo zalear, hea ani fattlea vorsacho fottu ekuch koso dista. Read more

We are witnessing nature in its fury. After a small delay of few days, monsoons arrived in Goa in full cry. IMD for a change provided indications of the favorable conditions which turned out to be correct and as predicted. The red, orange and yellow alerts from them were useful to us especially to the fisher folk who venture out in the seas. Many areas witnessed heavy downpours of incessant rains, with trees and plants getting uprooted causing devastation and leaving people in pains. In some places few houses got in undated and the authorities took action through the fire station people who had tough time attending to the uprooted trees, and getting the affected people moved to safer places. Elsewhere in India, heavy floods and heavy rains caused unbearable devastation everywhere. Most of the rivers in these areas were in full spate creating a fearful atmosphere. The pictures on TV and prudent media give us an opportunity to imagine the extent of destruction caused by the rains-few houses crumbing like a pack of cards, bridges just getting swept away….ah terrifying and heart wrenching. In the midst of it all we also see some people, unmindful of the consequences, challenging the fury of nature. In some Read more

St. John Vianney ministered in the village of Ars, France, during the first half of the 19th century. Deeply mystical and spiritual, he relentlessly summoned pilgrims and parishioners alike to greater intimacy with Christ and complete reliance on His mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation. He endured many setbacks in his pursuit of the Priesthood and his ministry to the people of Ars. Upon first arriving in that village in France, he found a lifeless church in near-ruin and a generation of people who had abandoned the substance and practice of their faith.

He would not relent. “It was this attribute of perseverance which, coupled with a burning desire to convert hearts, was at the core of Vianney’s entire life and ministry. St. John Vianney was consumed with the desire to convert hearts, save souls, offer the Eucharist and free people from their sins in the sacrament of reconciliation. Read more

ajetan, also known as Saint Gaetano di Thiene, was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Theatine Order. He was born in Vicenza, Italy, on October 1, 1480, into a noble family. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he spit it out!

He was ordained priest in 1516. He left the papal court and dedicated himself entirely to the service of the Lord. With his own hands he cared for the sick. Such zeal did he show for the salvation of his fellowmen that he was surnamed the “huntsman for souls.”

St. Cajetan often prayed eight hours daily. While attending the Christmas celebration at St. Mary of the Crib, he is said to have been given the grace of receiving from Mary the Child Jesus into his arms. Read more

“Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the king of Israel!” (Jn.1:49).

In this confession, is conveyed, a first important step in the journey of attachment, to Jesus. St. Bartholomew is one of the pillars of the Church and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, whose memorial, is marked on August 24th.

Bartholomew (known as Nathaniel in St. John’s Gospel), was a doctor in Jewish law and a dear friend of St. Philip, the apostle. He was summoned to Jesus by Philip. The moment Jesus saw him; he praised him, saying that he could see that there was no dishonesty, in his heart. Bartholomew immediately began to believe in Jesus. He was told that he would see great things because of his faith. We do not know what had happened, under the fig tree. Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”(Jn. 1:48). It is obvious, that it had to do with a decisive moment, in Nathaniel’s life. Read more

On Sunday, 6th August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important and significant events in the Gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke.

In the Gospel of Mark (Ch9:1-10) we read that “Jesus took with him Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain”. Jesus took His disciples up that mountain to encounter God; to enter into the mystery of God and also to reveal to them His Divine Son ship. Till that time Jesus had only shown them, in a sense, the veil of His humanity. They saw Him eat, drink, get tired. Now He is showing them, not only that He is fully human, but that He is also a Divine person. He is the Glorious Son of God. Read more

On August 15th we celebrate the Feast of Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary as well as our Independence Day. While Independence Day is symbolic of political liberation, the feast day of The Assumption of Our Mother Mary is complete liberation from anything that binds us. Since 1947 onwards the Indian Church became extremely happy as Aug 15 became the Independence Day and in its liturgy, prayers and hymns for the day, a special thanksgiving prayer for the Independence of India was also included.
The tradition of Assumption Day dates back to the fifth and sixth century. Pope Pius XII in the Apostolic Constitution of 1950 set forth the Dogma on Virgin Mary “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Read more