Christian Perspectives

Jubilee celebration of Katuneriya St. Sebastian’s Church on Jan. 20

Puttalam District Roving Correspondent

St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuneriya in the Chilaw diocese will celebrate the 125th Jubilee feast on Sunday, January 20 with a festive High Mass officiated by Chilaw Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr. Valence Mendis, at 7.30 am.

On the day of the Jubilee, there will also be an evening Holy Mass for those coming late and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo will be the celebrant.

The hoisting of the flagmast took place on January 11 to announce the Jubilee Feast and the evening preparatory Novenas will continue till Friday January 18. His Lordship Rt.Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, the Bishop of Galle will preside over the Vespers on January 19 at 7.00 pm.

St. Sebastian is one of the two great Saints honoured in Sri Lanka irrespective of religious differences. The other Saint is St. Anthony.

The Catholics show special reverence to this worrier Saint, because they believe that many sickness are cured through the intercession of this Saint. Because of this belief there are a number of Churches dedicated to this Saint or celebrate His feast in many Churches in a grand scale.

Katuneriya St. Sebastian’s Church which is situated at the 50th Kilo meter Post on Colombo-Puttalam Road, had its origin in a thatched hut built by the devoted parishioners of the mission in 1613 and the building was once destroyed by the Dutch in 1640.

The Church revived in a cadjan hut once again by the members of the missionary Church. That Church building came up on September 23, 1799. The efforts and the commitment of the devotees attached to this Church dedicated to St. Sebastian turned into an edifice built with rock in 1853.

Apart from this church the Katuneriya Mission has five more Churches to serve the spiritual needs of the Catholic community. They are Upper Katuneriya St. Jude’s, St. Lazarus at Dematapitiya, Mother of Good Health at Galmalpanduara, St. Anthony’s Church, Beach Road and St. Joseph’s Church at Lansigama.

The Church had 31 Parish priests from time to time to serve the Parish from 1875 and 29 Assistant Parish Priests. They had the support of five Religious Brothers and 36 Religious Nuns. The present strength of the Parish is about 4,000 Catholics.

The Catholic community working on the directives of their Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Hysinth Tissera who is ably assisted by Rev. Fr. Saman Kithsiri awaits the great day to thank God in a very special manner for the graces granted to them and offer merit to their ancestors who handed their faith standing firm in the midst of trouble and calamities.

Sebastian - The Warrior Saint

J.I. ROSAIRO

The majestic edifice in the heart of Kandana, now elevated to that of a Shrine or Martyry, is gearing itself in all earnestness to celebrate the patronal feast of the Warrior Saint, Sebastian.

There are many churches in Sri Lanka and indeed throughout the world, dedicated to this Wonder Saint, but at Kandana, in our own country, it is by far the most popular and much sought after shrine where the saint is said to work wonders.

History has it that Sebastian, an Italian by birth was born in Milan and was martyred on the 20th of January for his faith.

Though the exact date of his martyrdom is not certain, in all probability it happened between the Years 303-305 A.D.

While still a lad, Sebastian opted to enlist in the Roman Army. During this time Diocletian, who was the Emperor was persecuting the Christians and Sebastian having converted to Christianity went to the aid of the Christians and suspected of being a traitor of Rome, the emperor ordered that he be arrested and pierced with arrows, but strangely enough Sebastian survived the ordeal.

He was subsequently nursed by a kind lady named Fabiola, who brought him back to his normal self again.

After his miraculous recovery and rejuvenated with the love for Christ, he continued, unabated with his mission of love towards the Christians. He was re-arrested and this time flogged to death. The date of his martyrdom is commemorated the world over as his Feast Day.

Sebastian was canonised a Saint of the Catholic Church and his remains are interred in Rome where a Basilica is built over his tomb.

Ever since then it has become a centre of pilgrimage where believers from all over the world gather in their thousands to invoke favours and blessings. It is said that many miracles do take place to this day.

Coming to our own shrine in Kandana, preparations are underway to celebrate the festival in a very fitting manner.

Novenas or a Nine-Day Service in preparation for the feast day proper will be conducted culminating with the Vespers and the solemn Festive High Mass on January, 20th.

After the Mass, the statue of the Saint will be taken through the streets of the town with much pomp and pageant. Almsgiving and other works of charity like the distribution of food items, clothing, etc., take place during this period - a significant aspect of the feast itself.

Saint Sebastian, besides being a warrior saint, as he is generally depicted, is also said to be the Patron of Athletes and also of those who are afflicted with incurable diseases. He helps one and all who have recourse to his benevolence.

And with the conclusion of the Feast itself, the curtain falls on the Christmas and New Year Festivities as well, at this great town of Kandana.

Caritas hands over 156 houses to tsunami victim families in North

Pope Benedict XVI is deeply concerned about Sri Lankans and is anxious to see that peace returns soon to this island, Most Rev. Mario Zenari, Archbishop and Papal Nuncio in Sri Lanka said speaking at a ceremony to hand over the keys of houses built in Point Pedro.

The houses were constructed by the Caritas - HUDEC at Munai and Sakkoddai in Point Pedro for families affected by the tsunami.

Caritas - HUDEC handed over the keys to heads of 96 families who were the recipients of those houses with toilet facilities at Munai, Point Pedro and another 57 families were given keys to their houses at Sakkoddai, Point Pedro at a ceremony on January 9. HUDEC Director Rev. Fr. C.G. Jeyakumar presided. Most Rev. Mario Zenari, Archbishop and Papal Nuncio in Sri Lanka was the chief guest.

Rt Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony, Bishop of Galle and Chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam, the Bishop of Jaffna, Government Agent of Jaffna District K. Kanesh, Additional Government Agent for tsunami planning Senthilnanthanan and Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando, Director of Sri Lanka Caritas, Coordinator of tsunami Project of the National Caritas Theivendrarajah, Point Pedro Divisional Secretary Varatheeswaran, Rev. Fr. Regno, Fr. Judethas and Fr. Pathinather were the special guests at the ceremony.

The Papal Nuncio said the Holy Father had expressed His deep concern for the people of Sri Lanka and had offered very special prayers.

“The Pontiff expressed His interest in Sri Lanka in his Christmas Message and news letter issued, underlined the need to make a fresh attempt in finding a solution to the burning issue.

While paying tribute to the work carried out by the Director and the staff of Caritas - HUDEC for their commitment to create an atmosphere for a better life for the people, the Nuncio underscored the need to “build the bridge of love” among the members of emerging young society by giving top priority to inculcate humanitarian values in these activities.

“I as the representative of the Pope with the blessing of Our Mother wish your beautiful country, beautiful people full of love to live in peace,” he added.

Galle Bishop Most Rev. Harold Antony said he was glad to have had an opportunity to visit the northern tip of Point Pedro.

“I am here not to see the buildings constructed with cement, sand and stones, but to see how cordial relations are being built among people of divergent cultures and how they maintain human dignity.

Only these would build bridges and create peace and harmony in our country.Though challenges have to be faced in building such a bridge it is possible with the divine presence, dedication and a clear vision,” His Lordship added.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna recalled the lessons taught by the tsunami. “It is regrettable that despite the many waves of sympathy from many parts of Sri Lanka and other countries hit at our doors we have been blind.

We have failed to utilise what came our way in an appropriate manner. We could have found much improvement if we had corrected ourselves rather than finding fault with others”, His Lordship said.

Jaffna Government Agent K. Kanesh commended the work carried out by the Caritas - HUDEC in the midst of many challenges and scarcities.

The needs of the people from their cradle to the grave is fully realised and helping in providing shelters in urgent needs and constructing permanent houses is a model to other organisations, he said.

The people themselves will be witness to the activities of the organisation in helping the people in livelihood training, education, environment and food requirements. This organisation undertakes these activities with dedication.

There are many such needs to be met. Duty and dedication is the dictum of this organisation, Kanesh said.

“The Director and the staff of Caritas - HUDEC deserve our appreciation. I express my thanks and appreciation to the Government Agent, Officials, Parish Priests and Parishioners who were the source of strength in all these activities,” he added.

New Archdeacon installed

A Holy Communion service to install the new Archdeacon of Galle in the Colombo Diocese Rev. Devapriya de Silva by the Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera was held at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour at Bauddhaloka Mawatha recently. Here, Bishop De Chickera introduces the new Archdeacon of Galle to the congregation.

Rev. Chrishantha Mendis, Archdeacon of Colombo, Rev. Devapriya de Silva, new Archdeacon of Galle, Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Rev. Diloraj Canagasabey, Archdeacon of Nuwara Eliya and Rev. S. P. Nesa Kumar, Archdeacon of Jaffna were also present.