[Christian Perspectives]

All set for Nainamadama 175 church jubilee

E. Weerapperuma

JUBILEE: The Catholic community at Nainamadama in the Puttalam District will praise God for graces The Almighty has granted them through the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows to stay steadfast in their faith in the midst of harassments and tribulations.

They will celebrate the 175th Jubilee from September 15 to 17. On Sunday, September 16 at 7.00 am Galle Bishop Rt. Rev. Harold Anthony Perera will celebrate the Festive High Mass. There will be an evening festive High Mass celebrated by Chilaw Bishop Valence Mendis after the procession. This will be around 7.00 pm.

Nainamadama that celebrates the 175th year of the Church of Our Lady of Seven Dolours, is a tiny village of three kilometres with full of coconut estates. The Gin Ganga bunt, the Dutch Canal and Puttalam-Colombo A 3 route, are the boundaries of this village placed at the 42nd milepost, the door to Chilaw and Puttalam Districts.

The Church,which has been given a face-lift with the generous contribution received from the parishioners, benefactors and the well wishers is the heart of this small village which keeps the people bound to each other.

The history of this Church goes back to the 19th century. The Catholic faith has taken roots by the time the Portuguese arrived. Therefore to connect Catholic religion to arrival of the Portuguese is incorrect.

Of course their arrival had an impact on the inhabitants living along the seacoast and their presence had its merits and demerits. But those converted were genuine and the seed of faith was in the fertile soil and had the courage to bear witness to Jesus Christ in the face of persecutions, trials and tribulations.

The Church buildings that came up in the areas such as Makandura, Metiyagane, Chilaw, Madampe and Kammala(Kaimal) bore witness to their flourishing faith.

The Church dedicated to St. Anthony was built at Nainamadama in 1832 and was part of the 1844 year ‘Pitigal Korale Kattale’ along with churches at Bolawatta, Godalla, Sindhathriya, Kiththanvadiya and Wennappuwa. The present Church built to the East of Nainamadama was dedicated to “Our Lady of Seven Dolours” which celebrates the Jubilee this week.

According to the history, the infant Church in the Sri Lanka soil suffered heavily from those opposed to the new religion and at times at the hands of their own followers who like Judas betrayed Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Master.

The story of persecution of the newly converts in this area had to suffer under one Nikapitiye Bandara according to one source.But according Dr. Tikiri Abeysinghe, who unearthed the historical evidence of the times of the Sinhala Kings ‘Nikapitiye Bandara, was the grandson of Sithawaka Rajasinghe who could not have had a hand in the persecution.

He wrote in his book “Parangi Kotte”, that Nikapitiye Bandara was a prisoner, captured and deported to Goa and then to Portugal by the Portuguese.

So one responsible for the persecution was some one who had assumed that name and under the pretext of carrying out the Orders of the King, he attacked the churches, priests and the devotees. Rev. Fr. Gracia in his personal notes throws lights to identify the man responsible for the attacks and killings.

According Fr.Gracia the culprit was the son of one Medagama Paththini Hami of Raigam Korale. This person had been baptized by a Franciscan priest and was serving as a messenger under the Portuguese regime. He was taking revenge from the church for the punishment imposed on him for bigamy.

The Catholic Church got deeply rooted in the soil where the blood of martyrs nourished the faith of the converts.

The people converted to the new faith underwent the baptism of blood and fire. Thanks to their ancestors, the present generation is blessed to be adherents to a faith lived by their elders faith who passed it down like a precious treasure.

It has been their forte and the present day Catholics at Nainamadama celebrate fruits of their hard labour. According to the documents related to the construction of the Church building preserved by Stanley Fernando, Periyanath arrived from India was entrusted with the work.

The Construction was completed under his able craftsmanship and a group of children receiving the First Holy Communion in 1863 was the first recorded grand event in the new church.

Fr. Jacome Gonsalves, pioneer of the Catholic literature and did hard labour to make the Church indigenous, is buried at the 300 year old Bolawatta Church ground in close proximity to Nainamadama Church.

This is also the birthplace of two sportsmen Pradeep Kumara (1976) and Newton Perera (1980) that represented at Olympic Games and late Speaker of the House of Parliament Hugh Fernando was born and bred here.

Merril Perera brought fame to his home town by staging “Golgotha” Easter Play depicting the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Late J.K.S. Perera, a worthy son of this village composed music to lyrics of Thehili Gee, (Psalms) by Frs. Marcelline Jayakody OMI and Molligoda Moses Perera.

The villagers have not forgotten the victims of tsunami catastrophe of December 26,2004 and a monument has been erected at Wellamankare in their memory.

This tiny village could be modestly proud, for the role they played in supporting the National Congress in its struggle to win independence. Swarajyapura in Nainamadama was the venue for one of its sessions held under the leadership of late First Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake.

Here they resolved once more to seek total independence. The Shepherd of Chilaw Diocese, the First Sinhala Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Edmund Peiris OMI assisted the Members of Congress in providing translation to many of the English documents.

Rev.Fr. J.B.Nicholas was a Committee Member of this Congress set up to work towards achieving Independence.

His involvement in the struggle to free the country from the clutches of the British Empire was an answer to the allegation that the Catholic Church is alien to the soil.

In a public speech made on Swarajya Concept Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis had underlined the role played by the Catholics of this country in the struggle and had pointed out that the proposal for a fully-fledged Independent State was first moved at the 23rd session held at the Dharmasoka Vidyalaya, Kelaniya by former President J.R. Jayewardene and was seconded by Joseph A.L. Cooray, a Catholic.

The visit of Mahathma Gandhi to Nainamadama, on his way to Kurunegala on November 12, 1927, placed the little hamlet prominently in the National Map. Rev. Fr. Stephan Aloysius welcomed him with a brief speech representing the villagers. MahathmaGandhi who appreciated their good gesture in his brief speech and accepted the small donation made by the people, before leaving the village.

Nainamadama came into limelight despite being a very insignificant village when the Chilaw-Fort Rail track was extended to Nainamadama on May 11,1927.

Railway transport was first connected from Fort to Chilaw on January 5, 1916. The Nainamadama Mission has been served by about 30 priests. Rev. Fr. Maurice Anderson, as its present Parish Priest, is getting ready to celebrate the Jubilee with the support of the parishioners and well wishers.

Winners of the Gnanadeepa Literary Competition

COMPETITION: The Gnanartha Pradeepaya organised Essay, Short Story and Poetry competition among the school children and the general public as a part of the ceremonies to mark the 140 year of her Weekly publication.

At the ‘Gnanadeepa’ ceremony held at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Centre, Colombo recently the winners were awarded certificates and prizes.

The winners of the Open Poetry Competition: Berty Dixon Fernando (Moratuwa) won the first place. The second place was won by Rev.St. Mary Nethsinghe of Palangathure and Catherine Goonawardene of Moragoola won the third place. They were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

Dalupotha Felician, Boralessa K.M.T.T. Silva, Nagoda Grace Ponweera, Koralawella Jagath Samantha Fernando, Nayakakanda Felician Abeykoon, Morakele T. L. M. Appuhamy and Welikanna A. Bernard Boteju were awarded the consolation prizes and certificates.

Alponso Jayamanne (Pulluhena), S. Nilika Lankani (Thimbirigaskatuwa), K. B. M. A. J. Podimenike (Katana), Permila Madushani Pathirana (Thithapaththa), Shanika Kumuduni Costa (Kandawala), Aloy Kahandavita Gamage (Weliveriya), R. Joseph Priya (Kuda Buthgamuwa), Nilukshi Cooray Wijewarnasuriya (Kalamulla), Mangala Jayawardene (Ginthota), Ludes Chandima Kumari (Thalawila), Lili Agnes Siyambalapitiya (Katuwapitiya), Pascal Jayamanne (Paranambalama), Nirmala Priyadharshani (Thorayaya), Chirangi Hemakumari Fernando (Galagama) and E. D. Shrimali Anurudhika (Gonawala) were awarded certificates.

Winners of the Open Short Story Competition: Rev. St. Mary Nethsinghe of Palangathure (first place), Heenkenda Calistus Jayamanne (second place) and Sethsirigama Kumari Bandara (third place) were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

Augustine Perera (Delathura), Rohan Kumara Fernando (Kandy), Irangani Liyanage (Vahatiyagoda) late Heriyat Michael (Ja-Ela), Lasitha Prasangi Silva (Kandawala), Priyanga Samarasekera (Galayaya) and Shanika Kumuduni Costa (Kandawala) were awarded certificates.

Poetry competition (school children):

Juniors: M. V. Amaya Fernando (St. Joseph Daham Pasala-Payagala) won the first place. S.M.D. Rangika Dilrukshi(St. Lawrence Vidyalaya, Colombo) won the second place and the third place was won by R.A. Sanjeewa Madhusanka (National School, Pannala). They received their awards and certificates.

Student competitors: L. Thakshila S.Perera (Kandana St. Sebastian Balika Maha Vidyalaya), W. Dhanushka Dilshan Fernando and W. Ishan Greenik ( St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa),N. A. Dilaka Melani Kurera (Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda), M. Manori Mangala Fernando (Junior School, Talahena), C. Ishara Nadishani (Suradootha Balika Vidyalaya, Kuliyapitiya) and M. Mihiri Maljini Perera (St. Joseph Daham Pasala, Pamunuwila) received consolation prizes.

Essay Competition: M. Umila Prasadi Perera (St. Peter’s Maha Vidyalaya, Negombo), won the First place, L. Sachith Sunrangana Fernando (St. Mary’s Maha Vidyalaya, Negombo) second place and the third place was won by R. A. Sanjeewa Madhusanka Ranasinghe (National School, Pannala). They were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

Student competitors: P. A. Nirasha Umayangani (Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Dankotuwa), M.V. Amaya Fernando (St. Joseph Daham Pasala, Payagala), Iresha Madhushani Edirisinghe (National School, Pinnawala), R. B. Anne Sammani Ratnayake (St. Mary’s Daham Pasala, Eldeniya), M. Piyumi Rosali (Nimala Mariya Balika Vidyalaya, Tudella), Madhushika Kaushalya Abeywickrema (Ave Maria Balika Vidyalaya, Negombo) and Jeeva Dulani Rajasekera (Vishaka Vidyalaya, Sapugaskanda) received their consolation prizes and certificates.

Poetry competition (Senior students): K. Preethi Krishan Perera (Burullapitiya Maha Vidyalaya) won the first place. M. Shaminda Ranshan Fernando (St. Sebastian College - Moratuwa) won the second place and Supali Jayanthika Fernandopulle (Dankotuwa Balika Vidyalaya) won the third place. They were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

Anne Surangi Ratnayake (Nimala Mariya Balika Vidyalaya, Tudella), L. M. Navodani Chaturika Silva (Holy Family Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Marawila), U. Paboda Hansini (Holy Family Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Wennappuwa) S. A. D. Thilini Priyangika Dissanayake (Central College, Galahitiyawa), Dilshani Maheshika Hapuarachchi (Ratnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha) and Wethmini Weththasinghe( St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda) received consolation prizes and certificates.

Short Story Competition (Senior students): B. Nirma Prasadini Fernando (Newstead Balika Vidyalaya) won the first place. K.Thilina Lakshantha Perera (St. Joseph Vaz Vidyalaya, Wennappuwa) won the second place and Dasith Manthila Fernando (St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Borella) won the third place.

They received their cash awards and certificates.

Ahmedabad remembers Mother Teresa

INDIA: Ahmedabad City paid homage to Blessed Mother Teresa, on September 5, her tenth death anniversary. Hundreds of citizens from all walks of life gathered at Mother Teresa Chowk in the heart of the city to specially honour Mother, who epitomized the greatest of human values.

Officials of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, local politicians and the poor and destitute were present at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad called on the people to emulate Mother Teresa and help the less fortunate.

Former Mayor of Ahmedabad, Begum Aneesa Mirza, who was instrumental in getting the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to declare a prime piece of land as the Mother Teresa Chowk, felt that the need of the hour was for “all of us to remember what Mother Teresa did in her lifetime and reach out to our sisters and brothers who need our help.”If only we had four to five selfless women such as Mother, ours would have been a different world today,” she said.

She appealed for support to the work of the Missionaries of Charity in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat. The brief ceremony ended with a floral tribute to a bronze statue of Mother Teresa erected at the Chowk. Universal bhajans were sung throughout the programme.

Later, the Missionaries of Charity nuns organised special feeding programmes for the poor and destitute of the city. More than a thousand people in Vadaj and Odhav areas were beneficiaries of this act of compassion.

The Missionaries of Charity, formerly known as Mother Teresa Sisters, have ten homes in Gujarat, caring for the destitute, the dying, the orphans, abandoned children, leprosy and AIDS patients. In Ahmedabad city, the nuns reach out to the dying destitute and are always on call to pick up people who are dying on the streets.

- Courtesy SAR News

Four new books released

Four new books were launched to mark the 140th year of the “Gnanartha Pradeepaya” weekly publication, at a ceremony held at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Centre, Colombo.

The book on churches found within the Archdiocese of Colombo by the year 2000 come in a book form “Agaradaguru Padavi Devmeduru Puranaya”, edited by Rev.Fr.Cyril Gamini Fernando along with Morris Bollegala and late K.Francis. Relihous Affairs Ministry - Christian Department has sponsored the printing of the book.

A Collection of award winning poems “Ira Handa Yata” edited by Shiran Maithree, the Assistant Editor Gnanartha Pradeepaya;” Pipena Mal Yaya”,collection of children essays edited by Lakshman Jayawardene and Kumara Nayanajith and Sathvarayak Nova, a collection of the best short stories edited by Rev.Fr. Cyril Gamini were also launched.

September Events

Today September 12, the Catholic Church will mark the feast day of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

Hendala: Hendala Wellapalliya Mount Carmel Church will celebrate the feast of Mystical Rose on September 14 at 6 pm.

Marawila: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Ancient Shrine of Holy Cross at Marawila will be held on Sunday, September 16 with a festive High Mass offered by Chilaw Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr.Valence Mendis at 7.00 am.

On the festival day there will be two Holy Masses one at 5.45 am and the other at 11.00 am. Vespers will be sung on Saturday at 7.00 pm presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Wijesinghe.

Jaela: The feast of Mother of Sorrows will be celebrated with a festive High Mass at the Church on Sunday, September 16 at 8.00 am.

The chief celebrant will be Rev.Fr. Rohan de Alwis, the Director of the Catholic Press. There will be a morning Holy Mass at 6.30.

Vespers will be at 7.00 pm on Saturday sung by Rev. Fr. Srinath Manoj, the Assistant Treasurer of the Colombo Diocese.

Habarana: The feast of Mother of Good Health will be celebrated with a festive High Mass offered by K.D. Joseph, on September 16, at 9.00 am. Vespers will be sung at 7.00 pm.

Tarala: Pugoda Feast of the Holy Cross Church will be celebrated on September 16 with a Holy Mass at 7.00 am. Rev. Fr. Boneface Fernandopulle, Rector, St.Sebastian College, Moratuwa will be the Chief celebrant. Rector of the Aloysius Minor Seminary, Borella will be the officiating priest at the Vespers on Saturday.

Dankotuwa: Gonawila St Joseph’s Church will celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Face of Jesus on Sunday, September 23 with a festive High Mass at 7.00 a.m. followed by a procession.