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The Christian Workers Fellowship (CWF) celebrates its May Day Workers' Mass this year at St. Michael's Church, Polwatte, Colombo 03 at 9.00 a.m. on May 1st, preceded by a procession from the Parish Hall of the Church at 8.30 a.m. This will be the 43rd celebration of this Mass which has been held without interruption since 1959, states a release.

"Solidarity of the working people" and "A Genuine Peace with an End to the Ethnic conflict" will be the special intention of the Mass this year. A message will be given through a short play.

This Mass which has been drawn up and arranged by lay people and includes contributions from other religions too is indigenous in character and open to all with worker participation being a marked feature.

As in past years clergy from the mainline churches - Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestant - will join in the concelebration of the Mass led by Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, Bishop of Kurunegala and backed by a strong lay response. It is usual for clergy of other religions to be present at this service as also prominent figures in the trade union and workers' movement.

The CWF May Day Mass which originated in 1959 has had the assistance of two leading figures from Sinhala drama - Premaranjith Tilkaratne who put the Liturgy into Sinhala verse and the late Austin Munasinghe who has given it two musical settings. It has over the years become a regular part of the May Day Celebrations in Sri Lanka.

The CWF is emphatic that its May Day Mass is intended to be a preparation and not a 'religious substitute' for the normal workers demonstrations and rallies held that day, adds the release.

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