An Hour of Grace at St Paul’s 

Keneisha Ved 

In the midst of our busy and hectic life schedules, the Hour of Grace at St Pauls Multimedia Studio Chapel at Bandra on August 23 was a sacred and divine pause – an oasis of reverence, peace, healing, and a deep connection with God. I had the privilege of leading an hour of Intercessory prayer along with my fellow Youth from St Blaise Church, Amboli. The Lord inspired us to intercede for those affected by the recent rains, broken families and relationships, youth going through various challenges, those awaiting or recovering from surgeries, the sick, and the urgent need for peace in our world. At the heart of this Hour of Grace was Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, enthroned on the altar, silent, yet powerfully alive. In His Eucharistic presence, we found a wellspring of mercy, comfort, and strength. It was before Him that we laid every burden, every brokenness, and every cry for help.

We also turned to Mama Mary, the Undoer of Knots, asking for her powerful intercession. No matter how tangled our lives may seem, she has a mother's grace to untie each knot in our lives with love and patience, guiding us home to her Son, the Prince of Peace. We remembered in a special way our Holy Father, Pope Leo, praying that God may bless him with continued wisdom, strength, and good health as he shepherds the Church with courage and faith. The unity in prayer was beautiful – a living reminder that we are never alone. In community and in adoration, we find strength. 

I'm especially grateful to our Animator, Coretta D'Souza, and the Intercessory Team at St Pauls, Fr Johny and Br Kristen, for giving me and the other youth of St Blaise Parish the opportunity to lead such a meaningful evening of Prayers, Intercession and Adoration.

If you are carrying a heavy heart or facing struggles, I invite you to turn to Mama Mary. She brings calm in chaos, and with a mother's love, always leads us closer to Jesus in the Eucharist, where true healing begins.

Score to Restore: When Football Meets Faith

Angelina Rodriguez

What happens when passion for football is combined with faith and purpose? Score to Restore was born from that very thought, a simple vision from our Youth Director, Fr Christopher Fernandes, that grew into something far greater than we imagined.

The initiative began in early August, when a dedicated Core Committee, guided by Fr Christopher, led our parish youth of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Pokhran into a mission that blended discipline, teamwork, and faith. At first, there were hesitations and objections from both players and youth members. Many wondered if people would truly understand the purpose, or even come forward to support it.

The purpose was simple yet profound: to rebuild our Church and extend love to the children at the Juvenile Home. This vision became the heartbeat of Score to Restore, a youth-led initiative that sought to turn the joy of football into an act of service.

The fund-raising efforts began with faith and determination. After every Mass, youth volunteers stood at desks, sharing the mission with parishioners, and inviting them to support the cause. Local businesses, families, and sponsors joined hands with generous hearts. Word spread quickly through personal outreach, social media, and the tireless work of the Parish Youth Animating Team, until the entire parish was talking about playing football not just for trophies, but for God's house and for brighter futures.

Behind the scenes, the Organising Team worked tirelessly. Six spirited teams were formed, referees invited, volunteers organised, refreshments arranged. Each detail was prayerfully considered, so that the day itself would reflect unity and joy.

Then came the big day. Despite the rains, the spirit on the turf could not be dampened. The tournament opened with a solemn prayer and flag unveiling, reminding all present that the event was rooted in God's grace. What followed was a day of thrilling matches, where players gave their all, cheered on by parishioners, families, and well-wishers.

But what made Score to Restore truly special was the spirit of fellowship. Rival teams celebrated together, youth volunteered at donation desks, and parishioners encouraged one another as "one team, one goal, one purpose."

The finals brought the excitement to a peak, followed by the Awards ceremony where trophies, medals, and certificates were distributed. Yet the greatest victory was not measured in points, but in the funds raised, and the hope rekindled for our church building and for the young lives at the Juvenile Home. The highlight was the moment when a cheque of nearly Rs 10 lakhs was presented to the Parish Priest, Fr John Almeida. The success of Score to Restore was made possible by the generosity of our parishioners, well-wishers, and local businesses who came forward wholeheartedly. Every donation, big or small, was a reminder that this purpose belonged to all of us.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our Parish Priest, Sisters, the Organising Team, PYAT, sponsors, donors, and every volunteer who contributed time and talent towards this tournament. Truly, this was an example of what can be achieved when faith takes the field.