Daily News Online
 

Saturday, 22 August 2009

News Bar »

News: Grants for housing ...        Political: Special statement not permitted ...       Business: Downward interest rates encourage borrowers ...        Sports: Usain Bolt(s) to second world record ...

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | SUPPLEMENTS  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Christian perspectives

Silver Jubilee of Priesthood


Fr. Victor Jayamanne being conducted in procession to the church

Rev. Fr. Victor Jayamanne, priest-son of Pamunugama parish celebrated 25 years Silver Jubilee of his priesthood at a thanksgiving Holy Mass held at St. Joseph's Church, Pamunugama on August 13 in the presence of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith, Arch. Bishop of Colombo, Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, retired Arch Bishop of Colombo, Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, former Arch Bishop of Colombo, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw, His Lordship Chandrasiri Perera, Bishop of Ratnapura and a large number of invited priests and nuns.

Representatives of Fr. Victor Jayamanne's present parish of Liyanagemulla and his former parishes and the parishioners of his native parish of Pamunugama also attended this Jubilee ceremony in large numbers.

After the church celebration, there was a well attended reception for the guests and invitees at the Villa Palm Hotel, Pamunugama.

Fr. Victor Jayamanne being conducted in procession to the church for the celebration of the festive thanksgiving Mass headed by Bishop Valence Mendis, Bishop Cletus Perera and the invited priests.


Bishops discuss Catholic church's woes in Asia

Mixed marriages, dwindling entrants to the priesthood and violence against its members are among problems facing the Catholic church in Asia, bishops said at a conference here Saturday.


A woman holds a candle while leaving the Grotto of the Apparitions, also called Grotto of Massabielle, the place of the Vatican-recognized apparitions of the Virgin Mary to French peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, during the Assumption celebrations on August 15 in Lourdes southwestern France. The Assumption is a feast of the Virgin Mary, a day when the faithful believe the mother of Jesus was to have gone to heaven. AFP

Inter-religious marriages have helped the number of Catholics to fall even further, Philippine Archbishop Orlando Quevedo told a meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) being held Manila this weekend.

Catholics who marry outside the church in countries where they were part of a minority often converted to their spouse's religion, said Quevedo, secretary-general of the FABC.

Many bishops also said there was difficulty attracting young men to the priesthood because of poverty and the secularisation of society.

Poverty meant that many parents found it "a big sacrifice to give up their young son" to a seminary, Pakistani Archbishop John Saldanha said. "More girls are joining the convents now than the boys entering the seminaries," he added.

"The number of vocations is going down. The Christian families have fewer children and the reason is secularisation of the society," Cardinal Oswald Gracias of India said.

Hong Kong Bishop John Tong said "materialistic tendencies" were also an obstacle, but remarked that there had been an increase in the territory's seminarians, to 15 this year from 10 last year. Sources who asked not to be identified also said that the bishops discussed the issue of Asian governments who did not do enough to protect Christian minorities under attack in their countries.

Quevedo said the FABC was preparing a document that "will mention endemic corruption in countries in Asia, not just the Philippines but corruption in most of the governments of Asia."

The FABC represents dioceses from across Asia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. MANILA, AFP


Evangelization and lay apostolate

Evangelization is the mission of the church, though, the Church is not the kingdom, but, a means to the Kingdom which is not of this world as claimed by Christ.

Evangelization

Jesus explicitly in no uncertain terms commanded His Apostles and disciples to reach out to the ends of the earth and spread the 'Good News'. Baptizing them in the name of the Blessed Trinity those who believe will be saved, and those who don't believe will be condemned. What startling, fearful words to ponder and reflect. The challenge thrown to the Church is not a facile task. It is a great responsibility of the highest magnitude, a Divine command.

Not only the Church is entrusted with this Mission, but every Christian by his Baptismal Consecration has to share this responsibility. We have to introduce Christ to others whose heart is a furnace of love. At the end, I am of the firm conviction. That we will be judged on how far we had made Him known and spread his massage, otherwise, he will deny us before His Father.

A timely warning has been given by The Editor of the 'Direction' directing our minds to this supreme obligation of spreading the Gospel in Keeping with the cultural traditions of each country (Vide Editorial June 2005). "Without the faith being subject to alien sacrilegious and idolatry rituals. Christ is the revelation of God to us. His earthly mission was to reveal the Father by preaching the 'Good News' of the Kingdom to the poor and undoubtedly, He expects us to share and continue His Mission to introduce Him to others- The Gospel of forgiveness and love. It is the manifesto, which we are mandated to bring to the notice of others so their lives will be transformed to that of Christ. This is the challenge entrusted to us. Draconian legislation of whatever magnitude will not deter us from spreading the great tidings of joy - The Magna Carte of life." For this purpose we don't need mastery of theology, we need only reality and enthusiasm. The sacraments of baptism and confirmation has made us valiant soldiers of Christ's Army. Evangelization is the mission of the Church. The late pontiff John Paul the 2nd categorically stressed this aspect together with the participation of the laity in ecclesiastical matters (Participatory Church) otherwise, the very existence of the Church is meaningless.

Christian history records the innumerable persons who had laid down their lives in this worthy cause. Their blood had been a fertile field to the spread of Christianity. Most probably, they were inspired by the words 'I have come to set fire on earth' we could spread His Kingdom on earth by our exemplary lives. So that our personal contacts will emulate us 'Seeing your good works they will glorify your Father In Heaven.' We have to be men of prayer to succeed in this apostolate. We have to involve ourselves in spreading the word of God in numerous ways as directed by the Church.

Final judgment

Our final judgment will be based on this criterion, how far and to what degree we have been co-responsible for spreading the Gospel of truth.

Are we too busy in working out our own sanctification ignoring the salvation of others? If so I doubt whether we would hear that clarion consoling final call 'enter into My Kingdom thou faithful servant'. Let us resolve to make this earth a replica of the kingdom to come.

This mission has to be undertaken without postponement encouraged by His words 'I am with you till the consummation of the world.' The existence of one Church will be another lay organization if it were to falter on this issue. This is the main task on its agenda. A priority, otherwise its existence is a deplorable failure. Millions of unbelievers have to be reached through all numerous obstacles strewn on its path strengthened by His words 'Even the gates of Hell will not prevail against Thee.' This assurance is solid, so why fear? We have to resolve firmly to embark on this mission and direct our attention to the task with greater commitment and not found wanting if the Church is going to last to the end of time. We have to strengthen its membership his words echoing within us I have come to set fire.

We together with the Church should grow in the knowledge of Christ-witnesses to Him is our basic Christian duty Listening involved to our Pastors and Ministry and supporting their mission-energy and financing by drawing all men to Him.

Prayer is the first missionary weapon of Jesus. We care mainly about methods but, our task as Apostles depends on someone who sends us. We are in His harvest hence the priority is prayer over all other methods. It is not the crisis of vocations, deep down, crisis of prayer? "Pray that the Lord may send more labourers to His vineyard." The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Good News to evangelize to announce that the Kingdom of God is at hand. To be a Christian, a legionary today is to bring the abundance of life to a society that suffers physically and spiritually. To bring Jesus into the heart of life, I must find Jesus in my life to bring Him to others until The Kingdom comes to an individual, I cannot come to a society or nation.

Lay Apostolate

In this world we experience defeat, emptiness, inability, in them and the secrets of the Heavenly Kingdom is revealed to us through the search for happiness, contentment, satisfaction, independence, liberty and fulfilment are in the Kingdom. You and I are fortunate and love bare the secrets of it and opening the heart of Heavenly Father revealed that Jesus has chosen us among so many. Do you know it or aware of it that is why during this period of special grace you are contemplating the divine word and making a frantic effort to lead a prayerful life. "I have chosen you/you have not chosen me." Do you all realize this fact. What a mission to undertake, a bargain - 100 fold in this life and life everlasting in the next.

In sending the twelve out in to the world, Jesus instructed them to rely entirely upon the grace of God. They were not to bring items customary for a journey, not even money! Rather, they were to place their complete trust in God who would provide for all their needs. In our home visitations we are armed with a notebook, pen or pencil a few rosaries, thisera cards, etc.

Vivid image

The vivid image of the apostles going in pairs out into the world with firm reliance upon the help of God should be of consolation to us as we strive to put into practice the faith we profess, as we strive to accomplish the Lord's will in our daily living. God does have a plan for our lives, a plan that he intends to accomplish through us. We can count upon Him to give us the means by which to live good and holy lives bearing fruit in abundance through our words and deeds. Lead by exemplary lives.

We are not given divine powers of driving demons and healing sick people by anointing them. But, we spread gospel values among them and encourage them to live worthy lives. It is the special mission of this legionary apostolate visit the sick arrange holy hours encourage them to recite the family rosary, enthronement of the Sacred Heart in their homes.

Accompanying Priests and religious in distributing Holy Communion to them. I believe this occupies an important aspect of our legionary apostolate. Taking Christ to homes a wonderful experience as Bro. Shervin observed. The pleasure he derived from this exercise he remarked as an unparalled experience in his life. Legionary apostolate lacks the power, glory and the pageantry of the world. It is a hidden life, a mission like Nazareth, a silent meritorious service is rendered. The legionaries emulates Our Blessed Mother "Do what ever He tells you" was the directive to the servants at Cana. Request Our Lady to form the body of Christ in your souls as written by Fulton Sheen (In on of his books on Mary) By the way Fulton Sheen's cause for beatification has been introduced.

He said, 'that he was unworthy of the purple heat when Paul the VIth offered it to him. He in his autobiography he states that Priests will give up their vocation if they have no devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. Further, he states explicitly that the grave mistake we can make in this life is not to become a saint. I believe, it is within our reach as legionaries as Frank Duff too has stated. Questioned about the knowledge he had to dictate 37 books. He admitted, that he spends one hour daily before the Blessed Sacrament. He was very stylish well groomed delivering lectures at the Catholic University of Washington holding the post of Archbishop of New York. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I believe it reveals your interior, impeccable in dress he hopes that God will not find fault with him for this weakness.

Legionaries

Through the legionaries union with Our Lady, the Holy Spirit also leads to a great love for the Church. This too is Mary's gift to the Legion, as she leads the members along the path of holiness, she helps them see that there is a close connection between holiness (self sanctification of the member primary objective of the Legion) and the apostolate. In fact, it has been pointed out that there is nothing more fundamental in the Legion than this true holiness of life includes having the heart of an apostle, to share with Christ His desire to draw all men and women to Himself.

On the other hand, apostolate which does not flow from an ideal is the ideal also which the Legion puts before us the holiness of its members. - Camillus Fernando


Queen of Angels Church launches website queenofangels.lk

A website on Queen of Angels Church, Moratuwa has been launched in August 2008 on the day of the Feast of the Queen of Angels Church, Rawatawatte, Moratuwa.

A young boy, Chirantha about 17 years switched on the button to open on the wide white screen at the alter amidst a thundering applause of the people on that day. Now to this month, it is the second successive year of operation. As I wanted to talk to this child, whom I taught English when he was small, I walked into the residence of him about few days back, inquisitively wanting to know details of this website. When I went in, I saw him seated very much busy in changing the website to a festive mood, with flowers around Our Lady getting ready for the feast 2009. When I asked he said that he was very much interested in doing this free of charge to the church as long as the Lord summons him to do, as this is his church whom he belonged to.

He has his own server and the hosting and making changes viz. Christmas mood during, Christmas and Easter mood in Easter and so on. Not only that, he with his little camera, he covers all the churches under this parish and inserts into the web and his main intention is to show the world, what the proceedings of the churches and almost all the faces of the congregation, specially the old people, the devoted youth, events etc. He says there is an archive to search for old events. Also, it carries messages from the Archbishop to all the Catholics. If there are any Sri Lankans residing in other countries they could send their contributions referring the website.

Shenal, a friend Chirantha has drawn the logo of the Queen of Angels Church and that is also inserted in the website. That logo is being carried and embedded in all certificates issued by the church to the "Daham Pasal" children. He further stated that this www.queenofangels.lk website has been registered as an active website by the www.google.com. His own website www.chiranthasoft.com too carries this.

Additionally, he stated that he sent an application for the Young Community Leader 2008 last year and there were 15 categories of which he entered into the IT Category. When he filled up the forms he wrote of a different community international/local event - The Talking Clock, but when he was called for the 1st interview he was fully concentrating on the www.queenofangels.lk and he had a lot to talk on this website with the Panel of Judges. He proudly said that he fell into the final five after competing thousand odd competitors. The age group the YCL organizers had asked had been 17-35 years of age and he was the youngest competitor.

Also, he says, "I am happy and proud to be in the final five even if I do not fall into the 1st three. When I have leisure time, i.e. when I do not go for my IT classes I attend to the website." He further says "everything is in the hand of Lord. He may be wanting me to serve the nation with my IT knowledge towards the churches and the Archbishop and our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Tyronne Perera and the Asst. Priests." - Sarojanee Almeida


Vatican unveils night-time museum openings

The Vatican Museums, whose treasures include Michelangelo's prized frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, will stay open late on Fridays in September and October, arts chiefs said on Tuesday.

The collections will be on view from 7:00 to 11:00 pm by reservation only at the Vatican website, http://mv.vatican.va. Since the circuit through the vast collections takes at least an hour to complete, visitors will not be allowed in after 9:30 pm.

Following the lead of the Louvre museum in Paris and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Vatican Museums director Antonio Paolucci said the late-night opening would "offer citizens a chance to... benefit from an unusual atmosphere and a special light."

"It's also a way to persuade people to give up television for an evening," he added.

The Vatican Museums attract more than four million visitors each year. VATICAN CITY, AFP


Nagoda Parishioners celebrate Parish Priest's anniversary

The parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church, Nagoda, Kandana celebrated the eighteenth anniversary (Ordination) of Rev. Fr. Preeya Jayamanna, Parish Priest, Nagoda, Dean of the Kandana Deanery, Director ASEPA, Director, Home Visiting Apostolate of the Colombo Diocese, on Sunday, July 26 with a thanks giving mass at 8 a.m.

Amidst a large gathering Rev. Fr. Samith Rangana Fernando the Assistant Parish Priest, delivering a beautiful homily, taking the day's Gospel said, "that our Lord Jesus Christ was able to work miracles because he was a good Shepherd.

He possessed goodness in him and today Rev. Fr. Preeya having those good qualities had set an example to all of us, at Kandana by his Goodness.

He has worked a miracle at Nagoda when he changed the entire Parish into a united, loving and peaceful set up, forming a "Kithunu Ekathana."

Fr. Preeya has served Nagoda Parish for the last seven years and had done a very good service to Nagoda. He had won the people by his good qualities.

Continuing the homily Fr. Samith said that the Nagoda Parishioners like Fr. Preeya so much, because Fr. Preeya is a pleasing personality.


This file photo taken on March 4, 2000 shows South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung (L) explaining inscriptions on a vase he gave to Pope John Paul II (R) at the end of their private audience at the Vatican. Former South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung died on August 18, 2009 at the age of 83, a hospital spokesman said. AFP

 

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

www.lanka.info
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk
www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2009 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor