My dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers,
Greetings to you in the Lord!
The Nation is set to celebrate the 64th Independence Day on the 4th February 2012. Let us pray during this celebration that we will truly experience the peace, harmony and prosperity, for which our forefathers gave their life. Let us pray to Our Lady of Lanka, the Mother of Jesus to intercede on our behalf so that our Country will be spared from all evil and destruction. Please make this day meaningful by organizing relevant thanksgiving Liturgical Services and activities that would educate our people about our rights and duties towards our Motherland and towards one another.
The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on the 22nd February. The Lenten journey of 40 days will lead us to the Easter Triduum, the memorial of the passion, death and the Resurrection of the Lord, heart of the mystery of our salvation. It is a favourable time when the Church invites Christians to have a keener awareness of the redeeming work of Christ and to live their Baptism in greater depth. With its long duration, Lent has an indisputably evocative power. Indeed, it intends to recall some of the events that marked the life and history of ancient Israel, presenting its paradigmatic value anew also to us. Today we too, together with all the world's Christians, are spiritually setting out towards Calvary on a journey of reflection, fasting and prayer, meditating on the central mysteries of the faith. We will thus prepare ourselves to experience, after the mystery of the Cross, the joy of Easter.
The Season of Lent will welcome many pilgrims to the Calvary Shrine at Hiniduma. The Administrator of the Shrine is making all the preparations to create a comfortable, prayerful atmosphere for the pilgrims. This itself is a gigantic task. We need to be united with the priests, religious and lay faithful who are holding different responsibilities during these 40 days of the Lenten journey, so that they may give their total self to Jesus in His ministry. May I also very kindly invite the Parish Priests to organize parish pilgrimages and prayer vigils at the Shrine. The directors of different apostolates could organize programmes according to the days that are significant for them. Very Rev. Fr. Nihal Nanayakkara, the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Charles Hewawasam, the Episcopal Vicar, together with the Shrine committee will discuss and coordinate the Lenten Season programme at the Shrine. We are aware that the people are longing to experience the Lord, to hear the Word and be converted to Jesus. Therefore, let us pave the way for the people to reach out for the Sacraments and find solace and consolation, peace and joy in the Mystery of the Calvary Sacrifice. I wish to thank the outgoing Administrator, Rev. Fr. Shelton Fernando for his dedicated and committed services to the Calvary Shrine and for his prayerful application to all the Liturgical Services extended to the Pilgrims. We wish him God's blessings with a grateful heart, as he would begin his new mission at Halpathota. The New Administrator, Rev. Fr. Indika Anthony will take over the responsibilities at the Calvary Shrine early this month and let us plead with the Holy Spirit to guide and direct him in his new missionary journey.
As I have already informed, the transfers and new appointments will take effect from this month. I appreciate the Rev. Fathers for their cooperation, willingness to accept the given responsibilities and for the 'thirst' to serve the people of God. All of you have served the diocese in different capacities and have done your best to bring honour and glory to the Lord. Surely, the reward belongs to the Lord and He will do justice to us, as we reach his Kingdom someday. I wish to thank you in a very personal way for the joy you have already brought to our people. Thank you for your generous services. Please make your arrangements with your successor and follow the canonical handing over procedures, so that we would complete this exercise gracefully and begin our missions early. I assure you, my dear Rev. Fathers, all the necessary help and prayerful guidance in your future undertakings.
The Archdiocese of Colombo will have the Episcopal Ordination of Very Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Fernando and Very Rev. Msgr. Maxwell Silva on the 11th February, 2012, at St. Lucia's Cathedral, Kotahena. I believe that most of us will be a part of this celebration in person, and for those of you, who cannot be present on that day, will unite with the whole of the Archdiocesan Family in prayer and in spirit. While we extend our prayerful greetings to the Bishops Elect and to the Archdiocese of Colombo, we share the joy of their appointments for the benefit of the whole of the Sri Lankan Church.
I wish to thank the Diocesan Director for Ecumenism and Dialogue, Rev. Fr. Damian Arsakularatne for organizing the 'Unity Week' celebration meaningfully at Caritas SED Galle, this year. There were a good number of Ministers from various Christian Churches (Denominations) together with our Priests and Religious. We are also grateful to Rev. Fr. Jayalath Balagalla who facilitated the day's programme. Let us build the Kingdom of God by our own life testimony.
The New Church at Thalgaswala dedicated to Blessed Teresa of Culcutta was blessed on the 24th January, amidst a large gathering of priests, religious and lay faithful. Fr. Gratian, the Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Church, Elpitiya, was the main person behind the completion of this sacred Shrine. On behalf of the diocese, I appreciate and thank Fr. Gratian and all the Donors who contributed immensely to build this Church, for taking all the painful initiatives in this regard.
We also laid the foundation for a New Church dedicated to St. Sebastian in Selvakande, Deniyaya. His Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, at the invitation of Rev. Fr. Michael Rajendram presided over the ceremony. Let us hope that this worthy undertaking will soon see the fulfillment and provide this group of vulnerable people in the Estate Sector, a place for worship and communion.
Dear Friends, the Church's mission stands in need of the contribution of each and every one of her members, especially of the priests and religious. In the walks of life to which the Lord has called, in living out your Baptism may you be courageous witnesses to the God of Jesus Christ. For this I entrust you to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of all peoples, and I warmly impart the Apostolic Blessing to you and to your near and dear ones. Many Thanks.
+ Raymond Wickramasinghe
Bishop of Galle. |
