The 'wheel turns' at St. Joseph's

by Sr. M. Concelia Mariampillai H. C.

The curtain fell on Rev. Fr. Victor Silva's era, spanning 11 years as the Rector of St. Joseph's College Colombo, on September 29 and Rev. Fr. Silvester Ranasinghe took the helm of the same institution as its twelfth Rector on October 3 that went down in the history of St. Joseph's College in red letters.

St. Joseph's is proud to welcome its new Rector, Fr. Sylvester for whom it is only a homecoming with a lot of nostalgic feelings as he was at St. Joseph's for over 13 years holding various responsibilities under past Rectors: Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera and Rev. Fr. Victor Silva.

He has had a wide range of learning credentials and obtained his B. Ph. (Rome), B. Th (Rome), B.Sc (Peradeniya) and M.Sc in Computer Science in the University of Fordam (USA) after which he assumed office as the Vice-Rector at St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa. Within a short spell of two years he has caused a very positive experience in the minds of parents, teachers, students and old boys of the same college through his role as the Vice-Rector, and the Prefect of Discipline.

His simplicity, friendly nature, deep spirituality and perseverance in reaching the set target had endeared him to people who had come into contact with him from all walks of life. Well! the loss of Sebastians is the gain of Josephians.

The installation ceremony, fitting to the personality of the Rector incumbent was marked with simplicity, but carried a strong symbolic meaning in its rituals. The academic staff, lined up on either side of the auditorium to award him a guard of honour. Rev. Fr. Sylvester who was garlanded by the Head Prefect and welcomed by the Western and Eastern bands was accosted by them, Rev. Fr. Sudhath Gunathileke, the present Vice-Rector and the Deputy Principals into the auditorium.

After the welcome dance, the lighting of the oil lamp with the sounding of magul bera, the oath taking ceremony was presided over by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Bishop Marius Pieries.

This was a ceremony that touched the hearts of everyone, at which the Rector who was being installed, with due symbolic gestures pledged to uphold the Catholic tradition of the institute and work for the upliftment of "student clientele" fostering unity among all components that go to make the school society in every aspect.

At that, the melodious blending of "Veni Creator Spirit" was intoned and sung to its fullest strength by the College choir. His Lordship then handed over to the Rector, the certificate of appointment, which was followed by the hoisting of the College flag by the Rector.

During the concelebration of the Holy Eucharist, His Lordship in his homily, paid a glowing tribute to the out-going Rector, Rev. Fr. Victor Silva and brought to mind of the present Rector the responsibility that is reposed on him saying, "the office of Rector is more onus than an honour, an office to which, he is amply fitted by the background of his learning and formation, his experiences in various fields and responsibilities he held".

He further stressed that St. Joseph's having reached its excellence, it is time to focus on having a "new orientation" of "making students as men of deep spirituality filled with Holy Spirit and Wisdom" and the imperativeness of "having a clear vision in these difficult times, when forces of secularization are at work in the society."

Also "there is a serious need to stand back a little, to try to articulate our vision of hope, a grasp of things in their wholeness and inter-relatedness."

He pinpointed to the necessity of "Christian discipline, which is firmness without harshness, reproof without sarcasm, encouragement without favouritism, and giving credit where credit is due."

As Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe takes up the very challenging and faith-filled responsibility, the Catholic population of the Archdiocese, the student body, parents, old boys of the college assure him their unflinching support and prayerful wishes. Yes! The "wheel has turned" at SJC and "the birds shall sing the same song" of peace and power."