St. Sebastian Church

When we think of Goa, we often think of beaches, greenery and, of course, the heavy monsoon rains. Water seems like something we have plenty of. But despite receiving so much rainfall every year, water is a resource that we cannot afford to take for granted.

Water is a part of almost everything we do. We use it for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning and washing. Goa also depends heavily on water for agriculture, tourism, restaurants, hotels and other businesses. With more people visiting and settling in the state, the demand for water is naturally increasing.

Prompt: “Compose a modern-day love song with modern electronic production. Create a soulful melody and use an orchestral arrangement as background music.”

And there you go—your modern-day love song is ready. Thanks to AI.
Now comes the million-dollar question: Has AI taken over the music industry? Is AI becoming a musician, or is it simply a tool to help musicians?
To understand this better, let us first understand what music really is.

Music is a language of sounds that creates emotions within us and can change our moods. It is not only about lyrics, notes, rhythm, and instruments. What makes music truly special is the human touch behind these elements. The emotion a human being can express while delivering a song creates a unique magic that can stir neurochemical responses in our brains, including the release of dopamine and serotonin, contributing to feelings of pleasure and emotional connection.

The Catechetical Association of St. Sebastian Church, Aquem, joyfully celebrated Grandparents’ Day with great joy and enthusiasm, honoring the love, care and wisdom of grandparents and bringing together grandparents, parents, catechists and students in a celebration of love, faith and family.

The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Rev. Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes, Parish Priest, and organized by the students of Book 6B. Following the Mass, the Grandparents’ Day programme commenced with a warm welcome extended to all the grandparents. The students of Pre-Communion and Communion presented a lively performance of a welcome action song which set the joyful tone. This was followed by a dance by the students of Book 4. The grandparents were then invited to come forward for the cake cutting ceremony which added to the joy of the occasion.

On the occasion of Grandparents’ Day on 26th July 2026, the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Catechists, Legion of Mary, SSVP and Youth, under the leadership of Parish Priest Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes, visited the Old Age Home at Chandor.

The evening began with a prayer service led by the Catechists, followed by melodious songs presented by the Youth and Catechists. The Legion of Mary entertained the residents with a humorous monologue, while the PPC conducted fun-filled games in which the elderly participated enthusiastically.

Pastors’ Day was celebrated with great joy and gratitude on 2nd August 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The celebration was organized to honor and appreciate our pastor for his dedicated service, guidance and loving care towards the parish community.

The programme began with a warm welcome and an opening hymn, followed by a prayer service and a reflection on John 10:11–16, highlighting the selfless role of a good shepherd. A special prayer was offered for our priests and their ministry.

At the recently conducted Xth and XIIth Std. Examinations 2026, many children of our Parish fared very well. It was a matter of pride for them, their parents, families, their teachers and to our Aquem Parish as well. In recognition of their outstanding achievements our Church Pormoll Committee decided to felicitate these students and accordingly called for applications along with a photocopy of their marksheets. The selected meritorious students who had performed exceedingly well, were felicitated on Sunday,16/08/2026, after the 8.00 am Mass, at the hands of our Parish Priest, Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes. A Certificate, trophy and a memento were presented to the recipients.

Purvozanchem Daiz 2.0, organized by the Catechetical Unit of St. Sebastian Church, Aquem, was a celebration of our rich Goan heritage and traditions. The main aim of the programme was to bring our traditional way of life alive for the younger generation, helping children learn about the customs, occupations, food, games and practices of our ancestors and understand how people lived in the past.
The programme began with a Traditional Heritage Parade by the Youth, showcasing the traditional occupations and way of life of Goa. This was followed by various traditional games for different age groups, including Sip & Sprint, Nose Knows Challenge, Matki Masti, Village Champions, Straw Relay Challenge and Balance & Pass. A Treasure Hunt was also conducted, adding an element of fun while encouraging the children to explore and learn about our heritage. Basket Weaving was conducted for the PPC, giving participants an opportunity to experience a traditional skill.

Grandparents Day
Grandparents Day was celebrated on 27 July 2026 with great joy and enthusiasm. The programme began with a prayer service, followed by a heartfelt gesture of love and gratitude as the students presented their grandparents with handmade cards and flowers.
A student delivered a speech reflecting on his bond and cherished memories with his grandmother. This was followed by a melodious song and a lively dance performance by the students.
Thereafter, a grandparent Mr. Nadackel Thomas Mathew shared his experiences of life, adding a personal touch to the celebration. A fun-filled game was organised for the grandparents, adding laughter and joy to the celebration.
The Programme concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation. The celebration was a beautiful tribute to the love, wisdom and invaluable presence of grandparents.