125th anniversary of St. Joseph's Church, Wennappuwa

ANNIVERSARY: Wennappuwa, the catholic paradise of the Chilaw Diocese, celebrates the 125th anniversary of the church on 6th and 7th May, 2006. Vespers on Saturday the 6th is sung by the Archbishop of Colombo His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Emeritus Archbishop of Colombo.

His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando and the Bishops Marius Peiris, Raymond Fernando, Frank Marcus and Valence Mendis. Sunday morning festive high mass will be officiated by the Vicar General of Chilaw Diocese Rev. Fr. Leo Pius Fernando and the evening high mass will be officiated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando, the Bishop of Chilaw.

The mighty church, which is a symbol of unity and co-existence, stands in full majesty and dignity on the Chilaw-Negombo main road in the heart of Wennappuwa town. It is a historical monument of faith and virtue. A church is a unique feature of each and every village and town in the coastal belt especially from Colombo to Puttalam.

The statue of St. Joseph, the guardian of Mother Mary is enshrined on the front facade of the church, reminding one of his piety, chastity and staunch faith in God, which made him the foster father of Lord Jesus Christ. The saintly appearance invites the faithful to follow his exemplary footsteps, which lead to successful and God -fearing life on earth and to be rewarded throughout eternity in heaven.

Historical evidences extracted from 'The Chulawamsaya' (pp 97) teach that the inception of the village, Wennappuwa, which was originally called 'Wenniarpura' or 'Wenupura' runs back about 850 years at the time King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 AD) ruled Anuradhapura. The original settlers of Wennappuwa were the farmers and similar to the other farmers in the country they too settled down by the tank calling the village 'Gangoda.'

An old church made of wattle and daub, consecrated to St. Joseph was put up at Gangoda in 1850. The arrival of Very Rev. Fr. Contentious Chounavel (OMI) a French Missionary (1861-1863) the founder of the new St. Joseph's Church was a shower of blessings upon the flock of 300 families in Wennappuwa.

His sole intention was to gather those families whose staunch faith was strong and visible, under one roof. The roads were coming up and he realized that a new church should be built by the main road in order to accommodate the growing population.

The church grounds were generously donated by Ponnamperumage Migel Fernando, 'Muhuppu', the President of the church council who made the lion's share and the financial contribution in putting up the church. He was the donor of the cemetery grounds too.

The foundation stone of the church was laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Semeria (OMI) Bishop of Jaffna in 1863. As a result of God's blessings, hard work, dedication and cooperation of the Parish Priest and the parishioners this massive construction of the church was completed and was blessed and consecrated on May 7, 1881 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrew Malizen (OMI), Bishop of Jaffna.

The brother of Saradiel, 'Soora Saradiel', Robinhood of Uthuwankanda lived with his brother and parents (family) at Haldanduwana, and learnt sculpture under Very Rev. Fr. Chounavel who was the Parish Priest of Haldanduwana and a master of sculpture. The great historical statue of St. Joseph is on the front facade of the church, sculptured by Saradiel's brother is a fine example for Fr. Chounavel's mastermind of sculpture.

Very Rev. Fr. Chounavel, a scholar and an author who was well versed in Sinhala and Tamil became a loving and caring shepherd to the flock of Wennappuwa for 20 years before he was blessed with the eternal reward. He loved Wennappuwa very much and affectionately called the village-Wennappuwa, 'The Stable of St. Joseph's which means 'Little Bethlehem'. In response to his last request and in appreciation of his yeoman service, his body was buried in the church.

Rev. Fr. Alex Dassanayake (1975-1981), a lecturer at the National Seminary, Ampitiya was the Parish Priest during the century celebrations. The construction of the pavilion in order to coincide with the centenary celebrations is highly appreciated by all.

Rev. Fr. Rex Dias (1982-1986) took every possible step to guide the faithful to find refuge in the Holy Eucharist on Thursday and in Perpetual Help novenas on Wednesday. His devoted service is still admired. Regular, systematical and well administered Daham Pasala on Saturday evening initiated by Rev. Fr. Leo Pius (1987-1992) the president Vicar General of Chilaw Diocese during his tenure is still being well administered by the Parish Priests.

The grotto at Kolinjadiya is a praiseworthy mission initiated by Rev. Fr. Christy Tissera (1995-2001) the predecessor of the present Parish Priest who rendered a laudable service to organise the feast of the grotto in February in order to assemble the faithful under the wings of Mother Mary.

This has become one of the feasts celebrated by the parishioners. The Catholic library functioning at the adjoining building at the grotto premises provides wider scope for readers on church and the latest publications of the church.

The palatial mission house is a brainchild of Rev. Fr. Christy Tissera and a monument of determination and dedication. Further this glamorous achievement is a token of hard work co-operation, courage and confidence and a gift for the future. Giving a new look to the cemetery with proper management makes anyone feel like visiting his or her dear departed.

A church is incomplete without a school was the firm belief of the then missionaries and ours as well. We are proud to be the owners of two leading disciplinary educational institutions adjoining the church premises. Joseph Vaz College and Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya are the heritages of our children.

These two schools wouldn't have been in the same spirit if they weren't administered and managed by the Marist Brothers and Holy Family runs respectively. Catholic identical educational institutions can never move forward in glory unless the wings of the religious.

From the inception of St. Joseph's Sinhala School, which is now attached to the Joseph Vaz College, it has been under the Franciscan Bothers' (TOR) administration. TOR Brothers are great friends of the parish. OMI Priests, the pioneers of preaching, grace the special occasions like church feasts and special prayer services and retreats in delivering meaningful and appealing sermons, which awaken the hearts of the faithful.

Patrick Wijesinghe, the present Parish Priest together with the Parish Council made all the arrangements to organize this historical event more spiritually and meaningfully.

Hundred and twenty-five novenas; prayer meetings were successfully conducted at hundred and twenty-five places throughout the parish in order to prepare the faithful spiritually to celebrate the anniversary year. The O.M.I. Priests successfully and meaningfully conducted a retreat for days for the flock in the parish in order to find refuge in God.

Yet the feast stalls functioning under the guidance and strict supervision of the Parish Priests is an avenue to cut down various feast expenses to a certain extent without depending on the parishioners.

What we inherit today is the honest sweat of our ancestors and their incomparable service. Silent services of most of the clergy, the parishioners and other brethren may not have been recorded anywhere but they are eternally rewarded.

The historical facts on Wennappuwa and the church were extracted from the magazine 'Siyawas Jubilee Samaruwa' published at the centenary celebrations in 1981.

Ajith Perera