SINCE FEB 11,1869 THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY O F

April Christ’s Cardinal ‘Blessed Invitation Cooray 5Pg 8Pg 9Pg Vaz’ 21

"REGISTERED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS OF SRI LANKA UNDER NO. QD / 50 / NEWS / 2013" Vocation Sunday April 21, 2013 Vol 144 No 15 20 Pages Rs: 25.00 Registered as a newspaper Sunday ‘Pray the Lord of harvest to send labourers into His harvest’ n 1963 Paul VI In his message Fr. Mt.9:38 This Saturday April 20, twelve deacons of the Idesignated Good Shepherd Anthony has also asked parents children, Fr. Anthony Sunday as ‘World Day of Prayer Archdiocese of will be ordained to let their children see and cautions them regarding the for Vocations’ and this year priests by the Archbishop of Colombo, His hear their dependence on God in all circumstances whether in offers and asks them to “stay years. Vocations Sunday falls close to Jesus to cultivate a Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. The times of happiness or sorrow. superfluous options the world weevery mark fourth the Sundaymilestone of Easterof fifty Ordination Ceremony will take place at St. desire for what is truly worthy, and its objective is to “honour “Teach them the that is, service to others in the the vocations of all Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena at 9.00 a.m. imitation of Jesus.” given at Baptism.” generosity, honesty and listen “There is nothing more Rev. Fr. J.D. Anthony, tovalues the voice like selflessness, of God, so that beautiful and worthy than to Episcopal Vicar (Formations it is the family that provides a to the pastoral care of children may willingly accept know Jesus, to love Him and to and Vocations) has in his rich soil for seeds of Priestly vocations, the family stands what God wants them to be in serve Him,’ the Episcopal Vicar message for ‘World Day of and Religious Vocations and as the primary and most the future,” Fr. Anthony states. says in encouragement. Prayer for Vocations’ said that “among those who contribute important of all.” Calling on the SVP A move ahead by St. Peter’s EPISCOPAL APPOINMENTS OF Flag Day THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ he Archdiocesan College, Udugampola TCentral Council CONFERENCE OF SRI LANKA of St. Vincent de Paul Society, will hold its FROM 2013-2016 ‘Flag Day’ on April 28, Sunday with Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith the blessings of His President Eminence Malcolm His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph Cardinal Ranjith. Vice President His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Valence Mendis will be held in all the Secretary General 26 SVP Conferences The flag day in the Archdiocese. PERMANENT COUNCIL The proceeds while His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith being used for the nder the directive building will be blessed upper school, the primary His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph Ugiven by the and declared open on school was started in the His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Valence Mendis and invalids, repair Archbishop of Colombo Wednesday, April 24 by Church premises. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando benefitof houses of andthe pooralso to His Eminence Malcolm His Eminence. The Udugampola His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera help students who need Cardinal Ranjith, the St. Peter’s School started with only Primary Section of College, Udugampola FINANCE COMMITTEE continue their studies, St. Peter’s College, is a branch school of principal was Rev. Fr. Siri financialwill also beassistance used for to Udugampola, which was St. Peter’s College, 46Cooray. children After and his its demise first His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Winston S. Fernando, S.S.S. the activities of the hitherto functioning at Bambalapitiya and was Rev. Fr. Anton Ranjith (Chairman) respective conferences the premises of Holy a concept of Archbishop took over. The School His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Granville Silva under the direction Cross Church, Gampaha, Emeritus Oswald Gomis today has 1000 children (Vice-Chairman) of Rev. Fr. Leo Perera, will now be shifted to the who was at that time an (primary and upper) and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah National Director and main school. Auxiliary Bishop. The has the Arts, Science, Rev. Fr. Rohan de Awis, In order to school started as a upper Maths and Commerce Catholic National Commission for Education, Archdiocesan Director accommodate the school at Holy Cross streams. Catechetics & Bible Apostolate and Mrs. Leonie primary school, a four- Church, Gampaha and The Principal of Fernando, the National storey building has been later shifted to its own the Upper School is His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Granville Silva President of the Society. constructed in the main building at Udugampola. (Chairman) school premises. The With the shift of the (Contd on Pg. 2) His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah (Vice-Chairman) Catholic National Commission for Missionary Activity Recruitment of graduates to fi ll His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, O.S.B. (Chair- man) vacancies of National Schools His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah (Vice-Chair- he Secretary to Commerce and the Science the mother tongue and May 3, 2013. Further man) Tthe Ministry of streams in Sinhala, Tamil Mathematics in less than information can be (Contd on Pg. 3) Education has called for and English mediums of two sittings at the G.C.E. O/L obtained from the relevant applications to recruit National Schools. examination and passes in Those who have three subjects at the G.C.E. from the Archdiocesan Catholic School students excel in of National Schools in obtained a degree from A/L examination at one gazette notification or Ordinary Level examinations graduatesthe Government to fill vacancies Gazette a university, recognized sitting, are eligible to apply. of April 12, 2013. by the University Grants Applications Rev.Catholic Fr. Ranjith Education Madurawala Office. Many students of Catholic Schools who sat for the According to the gazette Commission and those who have to be sent to General Manager recent GCE ‘O’ Level examination have produced have passed six subjects the Department of Catholic Private Schools W.P outstanding results. Details will be carried next exist for subjects in Arts, with three credits including Examinations on or before week. notification vacancies 2 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Priestly ministry should shape our life: Feast of St. Joseph Three-Hour 'Agony Bishop of Ratnapura May God Bless You Father Perniola! of Jesus' at Wadduwa Chrism Mass celebrated in connection with the blessing of oil, in the pres- ence of priests from the Diocese. The Bishop said priests should be commit- ted to serve the needy tak- ing a leaf from the life of and never think of attaining personal gains and wealth. The lay people value and respect "Our priestly OSB delivering his homily priesthood in the priest. A service of three-hour 'Agony of Jesus' was ministry should shape our at St. Theresa's Church, As priests we held at the Wadduwa on Good Friday, under the life and hold us to be fuller Dehigahapitiya recently. should learn a positive guidance of Rev. Fr. Jude Fonseka, Parish Priest. human beings and Chris- The Bishop was lesson from any negative The service included the seven words of Jesus tians" said the Bishop of assisted by Rev. Fr. Da- criticism hurled at us. from the Cross with parishioners depicting various di- Ratnapura, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cl- mian Fernando and Rev. mensions of what took place on Good Friday in drama etus Chandrasiri Perera Fr. Tensin Perera at the J. Antony In an era where clerical staff and all the Parish Priest of Nayaka- form. customs and rituals are employees who got to- kanda. Fr. Mahendra in his The script for the play was written by Ereshan slowly dying out the hoist- gether, and immediately homily emphasised that a Perera who also directed the play. He was assisted by Ekamutu: Fifty years of Donor needed - - deep study of the life of St. Padmakumara Fernando. for Kidney tained in every village - Joseph was very essential Kumara Nayanajith dedicated Service anding of parish the inflag the is Catho main- erybodyafter the participatedflag was flutter in a in school, especially in a Patient lic Church. But it is very mealing atop of milk the flagrice post,with theev period like this. A Thanksgiv- Rev. Fr. Vito Perniola S.J cel- in Sri Lanka, His Grace, the Arch- cial Superior of the Jesuits, Rev. Fr. Episcopal Appointments... traditional lunumiris. The entire celebration ing Mass was ebrated his 100th birthday on April bishop Emeritus Nicholas Marcus Tyronne SJ and several other priests Contd. from Pg. 1 when St. Joseph's College, Each section of the was oranised under the celebrated to 10, 2013 and presided at the Eu- Fernando, His Lordship Rt. Rev. concelebrated the Eucharistic Cel- Colombounusual, but 10, significant prepared school (primary, middle guidance of the , Catholic National Commission for Liturgy & Culture commemorate charistic Celebration at St. Mary's Dr. Vianney Fernando – Bishop of ebration. themselves to celebrate school and upper school) Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranas- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando (Chairman) 50 years of Church, Bambalapitiya. Kandy, Msgr. Renato Kucic, Charge A distinguished gathering the feast of their Patron, partook in a Novena in inghe and the days were His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah (Vice-Chairman) service of the His Excellency Archbishop d'Affaires, Apostolic Nunciature in of diplomats, priests, religious and St. Joseph, by hoisting a the Chapel with Rev. Fr. very meaningful and spe- Ekamutu Soci- Joseph Spiteri the Apostolic Nuncio Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj, SJ Provin- laity were present. Catholic National Commission for Seminaries, ety recently. Jeevantha Peiris as the cial to all belonging to this Rev. Fr. Sunil de Silva Clergy, Religious & Secular Institutes The Holy days before the Feast. preacher. The chief cele- institution. very colourfulIt was a flagcombina eight- brant at the Feast was Rev. 4. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith (Chairman) Mass was J.P.S. de Silva From the and Freising, Germany; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. celebrated at tion of students, teachers, Fr. Mahendra Goonetilleke, Mrs. Eresha 5. Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbish- Andradi, O.M.I (Vice-Chairman) Ekamutu Hall, Hendala by Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatil- Vatican Mendis is a Senior Lec- op of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel lake, Parish Priest Nayakakanda, and Rev. Fr. Shiran turer of the University Donations to Deaf and Dumb School, Ragama 6. Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley O.F.M. Cap., Arch- Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) Dassa, Assistant Parish Priest, in the presence of a large of Peradeniya, who is bishop of Boston, USA; gathering of well-wishers and parishioners. Pope Francis appoints Catholic National Commission for Social undergoing treatment 7. Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Aus- Picture shows Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatillake tralia; Communications for kidney failure and presenting an Insurance Policy to a young student of Advisors for Curia reform 8. Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond in need of a transplant. the Free Ekamuttu Pre School. (ZENITH NEWS) In a communique released S.D.B., Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Wickramasinghe (Chairman) She is urgent- The policy is sponsored by Mr. Jude Menerapiti- by the Vatican Secretariat of State, Holy Father Pope who will serve as coordinator; and Bishop Mar- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel ly in need of a donor ya, Chairman Ekamutu Society, Mr. J.I. Antony is also in Francis has established a group of eight cardinals from cello Semeraro of Albano, Italy, who will serve as Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) with an A+ (positive) the picture. Thilina Alahakoon around the world to advise him in the government of secretary. blood group. Eresha is the Universal Church, as well as “to study a plan for re- Following the communique, the Holy See Press Catholic National Commission for Laity the mother of a 4-year vising the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, - His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. Maggona celebrates old daughter. ‘Pastor Bonus’. ther’s attentiveness to the suggestions made by the Col- Andradi, O.M.I. (Chairman) The establishment of the group follows a sug- legeOffice of stated Cardinals, that the“his announcement closest collaborators.” shows the Holy Fa His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, O.S.B. (Vice- Feast of Divine Mercy A move ahead... gestion that was made during the General Congrega- “It is a group, not a commission, committee, Chairman) tions prior to the Conclave that elected Pope Francis as or council. The group has no legislative power and its The Feast His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel Contd. from Pg. 1 Supreme Pontiff. main function is to advise the Pope. The group will not of Divine Mercy Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) in any way interfere in the normal functions of the Roman was celebrated at Rev. Fr. Chaminda Wani- The parishioners of Ss. Peter & the parishioners, to the Principal of the The group of Cardinals consists of : Curia, which helps the Pope in the daily governance of the Catholic National Commission for Justice, Peace & St. Mary's Church, gasekera and the Priest- Paul , Ragama, donat- School in the presence of Rev. Fr. Dinesh 1. Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Gov- Human Development in-Charge of the primary ed dry rations to St. Joseph's Deaf and Keerthisinghe, Asst. Parish Priest, to- Maggona recently. ernorate of Vatican City State; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando (Chairman) is Rev. Fr. Pradeep Kumar. Dumb School, Ragama recently. gether with Rev. Sisters and children of According to the Secretariat of State’s commu- The Fes- 2. Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, Arch- Church,” the statement by the Holy See Press Office said. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph (Vice-Chairman) tive Mass was of- The School owes Picture shows members of the English Sunday School. bishop Eemeritus of Santiago de Chile, Chile; October 1-3, 2013. its gratitude to the found- the English Youth Liturgy Committee 3. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, Catholic National Commission for Inter-religious Parish Priest nique, the group's first meeting hasArchdiocesan been scheduled Website for Ishan Prameena er Rectors, Rev. Fr. Joe handing over dry rations on behalf of India; Dialogue & Ecumenism Kannangara,ficiated by Rev. Par Fr.- Wickremesinghe and Rev. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel ish Priest of Maggona. and was followed by a solemn Fr. Felician Ranjith Perera Emmanuel Fernando (Chairman) procession with the statue of Divine Mercy. for their dedication and 'Aluth Avurudhu' at His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, O.S.B D. Anselm Fernando commitment for the uplift- (Vice -Chairman) ment of the school and for St. Nicholas' International the present Rector, Rev. Fr. Catholic National Commission for Migrants, Health, Post Graduate Diploma Travis . Tourism & Prisons His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera (Chairman) in Education His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel Rev. Fr. New- Wattala Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) man Muthuthamby ob- St. Anthony's tained his Post Gradu- Public Relations ate Diploma in Educaion OBA -AGM His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith from the Open Univer- The 68th Annual Consultant for Moral Theology & Canon Law sity of Colombo at the General Meeting of St. An- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. convocation held at the thony's College, Wattala Andradi, O.M.I. BMICH recently. OBA will be held on April Rev. Fr. New- 27, 2013 Saturday at 4.30 Missio Scholarship Board man has obtained his p.m. at the College Hall Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, OSB - Chairman BA Degree at the Jaffna followed by a fellowship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah - Vice Chairman University, the BA De- dinner at Dulab Family Bishops’ Institute for Orientation Studies (BIOS) gree from the Urbanian Restaurant, Hendala. For His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Valence Mendis University - and further details contact Mr. (Bishop-in-Charge) his MA in Christian The Primary sec- Picture shows the John Emmanuel (Presi- Rev. Fr. Tony Martyn (Director) Studies from the Madras University - India. dent) on 011-5743541 tion of St. Nicholas' Inter- and tele-drama actress guests being accompanied He is presently the Parish Priest of Galgamuwa or Mr. Lakshan Dinuka national School, Negombo Maureenon the occasion Charuni. was filmThe to the venue by the Princi- Joseph Vaz Secretariat and a teacher at the Galgamuwa Muslim Vidyalaya. (General Secretary) on celebrated the Sinhala and Guests of Honour were pal, Lalith Fernando and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando Tamil New Year recently. Rev. Fr. Jude Nicholas and members of the staff. 0771073303 Joseph Vaz Trust Fund Peter Singho The Chief Guest Rev. Sr. Marie Garlit. Clarence Leonard Anton Jayasuriya His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith 3 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Priestly ministry should shape our life: Feast of St. Joseph Three-Hour 'Agony Bishop of Ratnapura May God Bless You Father Perniola! of Jesus' at Wadduwa Chrism Mass celebrated in connection with the blessing of oil, in the pres- ence of priests from the Diocese. The Bishop said priests should be commit- ted to serve the needy tak- ing a leaf from the life of Mother Teresa and never think of attaining personal gains and wealth. The lay people value and respect "Our priestly OSB delivering his homily priesthood in the priest. A service of three-hour 'Agony of Jesus' was ministry should shape our at St. Theresa's Church, As priests we held at the Wadduwa Parish on Good Friday, under the life and hold us to be fuller Dehigahapitiya recently. should learn a positive guidance of Rev. Fr. Jude Fonseka, Parish Priest. human beings and Chris- The Bishop was lesson from any negative The service included the seven words of Jesus tians" said the Bishop of assisted by Rev. Fr. Da- criticism hurled at us. from the Cross with parishioners depicting various di- Ratnapura, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cl- mian Fernando and Rev. mensions of what took place on Good Friday in drama etus Chandrasiri Perera Fr. Tensin Perera at the J. Antony In an era where clerical staff and all the Parish Priest of Nayaka- form. customs and rituals are employees who got to- kanda. Fr. Mahendra in his The script for the play was written by Ereshan slowly dying out the hoist- gether, and immediately homily emphasised that a Perera who also directed the play. He was assisted by Ekamutu: Fifty years of Donor needed - - deep study of the life of St. Padmakumara Fernando. for Kidney tained in every village - Joseph was very essential Kumara Nayanajith dedicated Service anding of parish the inflag the is Catho main- erybodyafter the participatedflag was flutter in a in school, especially in a Patient lic Church. But it is very mealing atop of milk the flagrice post,with theev period like this. A Thanksgiv- Rev. Fr. Vito Perniola S.J cel- in Sri Lanka, His Grace, the Arch- cial Superior of the Jesuits, Rev. Fr. Episcopal Appointments... traditional lunumiris. The entire celebration ing Mass was ebrated his 100th birthday on April bishop Emeritus Nicholas Marcus Tyronne SJ and several other priests Contd. from Pg. 1 when St. Joseph's College, Each section of the was oranised under the celebrated to 10, 2013 and presided at the Eu- Fernando, His Lordship Rt. Rev. concelebrated the Eucharistic Cel- Colombounusual, but 10, significant prepared school (primary, middle guidance of the Rector, Catholic National Commission for Liturgy & Culture commemorate charistic Celebration at St. Mary's Dr. Vianney Fernando – Bishop of ebration. themselves to celebrate school and upper school) Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranas- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando (Chairman) 50 years of Church, Bambalapitiya. Kandy, Msgr. Renato Kucic, Charge A distinguished gathering the feast of their Patron, partook in a Novena in inghe and the days were His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah (Vice-Chairman) service of the His Excellency Archbishop d'Affaires, Apostolic Nunciature in of diplomats, priests, religious and St. Joseph, by hoisting a the Chapel with Rev. Fr. very meaningful and spe- Ekamutu Soci- Joseph Spiteri the Apostolic Nuncio Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj, SJ Provin- laity were present. Catholic National Commission for Seminaries, ety recently. Jeevantha Peiris as the cial to all belonging to this Rev. Fr. Sunil de Silva Clergy, Religious & Secular Institutes The Holy days before the Feast. preacher. The chief cele- institution. very colourfulIt was a flagcombina eight- brant at the Feast was Rev. 4. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith (Chairman) Mass was J.P.S. de Silva From the and Freising, Germany; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. celebrated at tion of students, teachers, Fr. Mahendra Goonetilleke, Mrs. Eresha 5. Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbish- Andradi, O.M.I (Vice-Chairman) Ekamutu Hall, Hendala by Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatil- Vatican Mendis is a Senior Lec- op of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel lake, Parish Priest Nayakakanda, and Rev. Fr. Shiran turer of the University Donations to Deaf and Dumb School, Ragama 6. Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley O.F.M. Cap., Arch- Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) Dassa, Assistant Parish Priest, in the presence of a large of Peradeniya, who is bishop of Boston, USA; gathering of well-wishers and parishioners. Pope Francis appoints Catholic National Commission for Social undergoing treatment 7. Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Aus- Picture shows Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatillake tralia; Communications for kidney failure and presenting an Insurance Policy to a young student of Advisors for Curia reform 8. Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond in need of a transplant. the Free Ekamuttu Pre School. (ZENITH NEWS) In a communique released S.D.B., Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Wickramasinghe (Chairman) She is urgent- The policy is sponsored by Mr. Jude Menerapiti- by the Vatican Secretariat of State, Holy Father Pope who will serve as coordinator; and Bishop Mar- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel ly in need of a donor ya, Chairman Ekamutu Society, Mr. J.I. Antony is also in Francis has established a group of eight cardinals from cello Semeraro of Albano, Italy, who will serve as Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) with an A+ (positive) the picture. Thilina Alahakoon around the world to advise him in the government of secretary. blood group. Eresha is the Universal Church, as well as “to study a plan for re- Following the communique, the Holy See Press Catholic National Commission for Laity the mother of a 4-year vising the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, - His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. Maggona celebrates old daughter. ‘Pastor Bonus’. ther’s attentiveness to the suggestions made by the Col- Andradi, O.M.I. (Chairman) The establishment of the group follows a sug- legeOffice of stated Cardinals, that the“his announcement closest collaborators.” shows the Holy Fa His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, O.S.B. (Vice- Feast of Divine Mercy A move ahead... gestion that was made during the General Congrega- “It is a group, not a commission, committee, Chairman) tions prior to the Conclave that elected Pope Francis as or council. The group has no legislative power and its The Feast His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel Contd. from Pg. 1 Supreme Pontiff. main function is to advise the Pope. The group will not of Divine Mercy Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) in any way interfere in the normal functions of the Roman was celebrated at Rev. Fr. Chaminda Wani- The parishioners of Ss. Peter & the parishioners, to the Principal of the The group of Cardinals consists of : Curia, which helps the Pope in the daily governance of the Catholic National Commission for Justice, Peace & St. Mary's Church, gasekera and the Priest- Paul Catholic Church, Ragama, donat- School in the presence of Rev. Fr. Dinesh 1. Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Gov- Human Development in-Charge of the primary ed dry rations to St. Joseph's Deaf and Keerthisinghe, Asst. Parish Priest, to- Maggona recently. ernorate of Vatican City State; His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando (Chairman) is Rev. Fr. Pradeep Kumar. Dumb School, Ragama recently. gether with Rev. Sisters and children of According to the Secretariat of State’s commu- The Fes- 2. Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, Arch- Church,” the statement by the Holy See Press Office said. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph (Vice-Chairman) tive Mass was of- The School owes Picture shows members of the English Sunday School. bishop Eemeritus of Santiago de Chile, Chile; October 1-3, 2013. its gratitude to the found- the English Youth Liturgy Committee 3. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, Catholic National Commission for Inter-religious Parish Priest nique, the group's first meeting hasArchdiocesan been scheduled Website for Ishan Prameena er Rectors, Rev. Fr. Joe handing over dry rations on behalf of India; Dialogue & Ecumenism Kannangara,ficiated by Rev. Par Fr.- Wickremesinghe and Rev. His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel ish Priest of Maggona. and was followed by a solemn Fr. Felician Ranjith Perera Emmanuel Fernando (Chairman) procession with the statue of Divine Mercy. for their dedication and 'Aluth Avurudhu' at His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, O.S.B D. Anselm Fernando commitment for the uplift- (Vice -Chairman) ment of the school and for St. Nicholas' International Negombo the present Rector, Rev. Fr. Catholic National Commission for Migrants, Health, Post Graduate Diploma Travis Gabriel. Tourism & Prisons His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera (Chairman) in Education His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. F. Lionel Rev. Fr. New- Wattala Emmanuel Fernando (Vice-Chairman) man Muthuthamby ob- St. Anthony's tained his Post Gradu- Public Relations ate Diploma in Educaion OBA -AGM His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith from the Open Univer- The 68th Annual Consultant for Moral Theology & Canon Law sity of Colombo at the General Meeting of St. An- His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert M. convocation held at the thony's College, Wattala Andradi, O.M.I. BMICH recently. OBA will be held on April Rev. Fr. New- 27, 2013 Saturday at 4.30 Missio Scholarship Board man has obtained his p.m. at the College Hall Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera, OSB - Chairman BA Degree at the Jaffna followed by a fellowship Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ponniah - Vice Chairman University, the BA De- dinner at Dulab Family Bishops’ Institute for Orientation Studies (BIOS) gree from the Urbanian Restaurant, Hendala. For His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Valence Mendis University - Rome and further details contact Mr. (Bishop-in-Charge) his MA in Christian The Primary sec- Picture shows the John Emmanuel (Presi- Rev. Fr. Tony Martyn (Director) Studies from the Madras University - India. dent) on 011-5743541 tion of St. Nicholas' Inter- and tele-drama actress guests being accompanied He is presently the Parish Priest of Galgamuwa or Mr. Lakshan Dinuka national School, Negombo Maureenon the occasion Charuni. was filmThe to the venue by the Princi- Joseph Vaz Secretariat and a teacher at the Galgamuwa Muslim Vidyalaya. (General Secretary) on celebrated the Sinhala and Guests of Honour were pal, Lalith Fernando and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando Tamil New Year recently. Rev. Fr. Jude Nicholas and members of the staff. 0771073303 Joseph Vaz Trust Fund Peter Singho The Chief Guest Rev. Sr. Marie Garlit. Clarence Leonard Anton Jayasuriya His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith 4 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations

EdiTorial April 21, 2013 "The Sweet Christ on Earth" Christ's invitation to follow Him by the gift "Il dolce Cristo in terra"("the sweet Christ of poverty, where even as the high-ranking Cardinal The Realm of Modern on earth"), was St. Catherine of Sienna’s way of call- of Argentina he chose to live in a simple apart- ing the Pope expressing her great love for the Vicar ment, comm of one's own life Sports of Christ. It was in the Lent of 1380 that this saintly spending much time with the poor and outcast. mystic vowed to go every morning in St. Peter's to This humilityuting has clearlyby bus markedto his office his walk every with day Godand oday, the Universal Church sion on them, because they were like children to welcome keep company to the Bridegroom, stopping in front so far, and shows all signs of continuing to do so. In today’s world sport has become a religion. And celebrates the 50th World sheep without a shepherd", and went on generously the call of the mosaic designed by Giotto for the ancient He set the tone for how he will lead the Catholic unfortunately, religion has been turned into sport in Day of Prayer for Vocations. to say, "The harvest is plentiful but the to Priesthood and to Basilica, depicting the ship of the Church among Pope Paul VI instituted this labourers are few. Pray, therefore, the Religious Life. Par- some places (especially by the numerous secular media the storms of the storm. And the continued gathered crowds in St. Peter’s Square to pray that T Day of Prayer to God the Father, asking Lord of the harvest to send labourers to urge the Pope: "Stand upon the ship of the Holy GodChurch would in his bless very him first in act order as pontiffthat he by might asking bless the Him to continue to send workers for His into his harvest"(Mt.9:36-38). inspire vocations. Church" (Letter 357). his people (ibid.).” Church. In the years since, successive The concern for vocations, ents influence Dear and agencies globally, when they decide to fire salvo after In an interview with the Spanish News- The journalist, José Beltrán, observed that Pontiffs have called on the Universal therefore, is the continuation of the parents, let your Saintsalvo of Paul unjustifiable often describes dirt at Church). the good Christian as an paper La Razon, the Bishop Prelate Msgr. Javier bit by bit we are getting to know more details about Echevarria commented on what struck him most in the Holy Father’s life: How he used to travel by bus, Church to gather on the 4th Sunday of mission of Jesus. The responsibility of children see and the words of the new Roman Pontiff. “Christ is the and lived in a small apartment in Buenos Aires…. promoting vocations to Priesthood and hear your depen- Sports, in general, has done many good things and borne he asked Msgr. Echevarria whether those small ev- athlete who is running determinedly to finish the race. centre,” the Pope told the journalists in the audi- Vocations. This year, being the 'Year of Religious Life rests on the shoulders dence on God in all much good fruit worldwide. For example, sports can eryday gestures can help change the minds of those ence on March 16. “This reminded me of what Saint Easter to reflect and pray for the gift of of every member in the Community. circumstances, in make people healthier, have character, more empathetic who have a stereotyped image of priests, cardinals, Josemaria so often said: “We have to speak about on the theme: Vocations as a sign of hope It should be at the centre of prayer times of happiness (especially those in team sports), more understanding, and of the Church in general. foundedFaith', Holy in faith. Father invites us to reflect and pastoral action of the Church. It is and sorrow. Teach Christ, and not about ourselves.” This is what is The Prelate replied that “his austerity is a stronger, happier, and the list goes on. The Church has chosen the important to encourage and support them values like truly essential. Pope Francis also spoke about the common note of recent (with some different action of the Holy Spirit. That’s the key for inter- most appropriate day to celebrate the those who show clear signs of a call Sports can also build character, which is vital in today’s external manifestations), and also of the great ma- preting the recent Conclave and the Church’s entire jority of priests, who have the minimum they need Vocations Sunday, the Good Shepherd to Priesthood and Religious Life. They osity, honesty and world. It can also be a platform for Christians to promote history: The viewpoint of faith.” to live on, and many don’t even have that much. Sunday. The image of the Good Shep- must be made to feel the warmth of the listenselflessness, to the voicegener- of their faith and even evangelise to the masses. However, Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ. Etymo- As you said, we are talking about a stereotype. I herd is the most suitable image we can whole community, their accompaniment God, so that children the commercialisation of sports brings with it myriad logically, vice is a preposition derived from the think of to express the love of God. In in prayer and encouragement. may willingly accept issues. While extending our hearty congratulations and ablative form of the Latin word vicis, meaning University of the Holy Cross. In the time between the Old Testament this image appears Vocations are born out of the what God wants blessings, we hope and pray that our newly appointed Sri 'change.' In English we understand to mean 'instead rememberactivities, at a 5cardinal in the afternoon, who came there to the was Pontifical a coffee on several occasions to express God's experience of a personal encounter with them to be in future. of' or 'as a substitute for.' The noun vicar in turn break. While drinking the coffee he said: “Tonight Lankan Cricket Board ably led by Jayantha Dharmadasa closeness to His People and His uncon- God. Therefore, it is essential that the Remember that for you and let God unfold it for you. and his colleagues will address these issues to raise Sri stems from the same root referring to 'a deputy.' I’m not going to have dinner, since I don’t have ditional love and concern for them. In community help children and young when a child enters the Seminary, his anyone to help prepare dinner for me.” This isn’t Let us continue to pray for Lankan cricket to greater heights. The expression Vicar of Christ thus indicates the people at every level of family, parish, place at home is taken by Christ Him- always the case, but many more examples could be vocations, so that God will inspire many Shepherd in its supreme sense. Jesus, school and associations to grow into a self. Every parent, undoubtedly, would given here. more to serve in His vineyard as Priests ject acts as Christ’s alter ego on earth. He is no less beforeJesus we departing find the fromimage this of theworld Good to His genuine relationship with the Lord. like to see that most beautiful sight of The long and short answer to professionalising sports, thanvary naturethe visible of the Christ Papacy on earth.as an office whose sub- ”The lack of material goods, Saint Ber- and Religious. Let us invoke the help of Father, entrusted this Ministry of shep- Among those who contrib- hence paying participants a wage, is a good thing. Every Upon the election of Pope Francis, world nard said, is not in itself a virtue; rather this virtue our Mother Mary, that by the example of worker deserves his keep. The Holy Bible clearly states entails loving poverty, which is also shown by these ute to the pastoral care of vocations, at the altar taking the place of Christ. her own acceptance of God's plan and leaders were quick to welcome the new Catholic his Priest-son offering the Holy Sacrifice that a worker deserves his wages. The problem lies not small deeds of self-denial. This disposition also His successors. family stands as the primary and the Dear children, there is noth- her powerful intercession, young people leader. Argentine President Cristina Fernández was herding the flock to the Apostles and in whether a player should be paid or not, but how much Just as he did during His earthly ing more beautiful and worthy than to will be more and more open to saying should they be paid? Does a golfer who puts a ball in a leader. British PM Cameron said Wednesday existence, today too, Jesus continues foremost the fruits of contact with God know Jesus, to love Him and to serve "yes" to the Lord who is constantly call- to say "come, follow me"(Mk. 10:21). inmost the important. Christian families. Vocations It isare the first family and Him. The world offers you many super- tiny hole in the ground deserve a $15 million pay cheque wasamong "a momentousthe first to congratulate day for the 1.2 the billion new Catholic Catholics findswhat expressionone has. Certainly, in knowing as Saint how Josemaria to do without said, su- ing new labourers to His harvest. perfluouspoverty is possessionsone of our treasures and in being in this detached world, andfrom he Therefore the invitation is, especially, that provides a rich soil for the seeds when a housewife with seven children or a parish priest around the world." In a statement, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, too, offered pointed to the example of parents of a large family extended to young people to respond of Priestly and Religious Vocations. to cultivate a desire for what is truly Very Rev. Fr. J. D. Anthony Jayakody or a nun might do twice as much hard work for hardly any who, in lovingly striving to support their family, joy- ficial options, but stay close to Jesus their best wishes to the new Pope. to the call of the Good Shepherd who, Families animated by the spirit of faith worthy, that is, service to others in the Episcopal Vicar Formation & Vocations, Obama added: “As a champion of the poor fully renounce so many personal items. "when he saw the crowds, had compas- and love become capable of helping imitation of Jesus. God has a special plan In other words, the Christian poverty Archdiocese of Colombo and the most vulnerable among us, he carries Theof the current recognition Indian or financial Premier benefits? League (IPL) offers an ought to be seen as a virtue needed to love (as Jesus forth the message of love and compassion that has taught us), and as part of charity. At the same time, interesting dynamic at many different levels. In a vast inspired the world for more than two thousand nation of well over a billion people, where most earn a the Prelate added, “we have to do everything pos- years—that in each other we see the face of God. As sible to alleviate the suffering caused by personal Christ is Alive-Meet Him and social injustices, and I see it as only natural professional cricketers the equivalent of $15,000 per speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that that sometimes we become impatient on confront- or Christians the Resurrection desire to partake of daywage on of average? $1 per day, Is a is single it justifiable professional to pay cricketer a few hundred worth theis increasingly first pope from shaping the Americas,our world, his and selection alongside also ing so many injustices we would like to remedy.” of Jesus is the central focus of this new life but may the remunerative value of 15,000 fellow patriots? millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the We learned that Cardinal Bergoglio’s motto F Faith life. It is for today's Chris- not know how to get United States share the joy of this historic day.” was 'Miserando et eligendo'. That phrase was taken Whatever views one may spouse on reli- tian more than a faith statement connected to this In the context of Sri Lanka’s cricketers playing the IPL, from a text from that we read gion, “it is hard to deny that the events of the past it is a good thing. As Kumar Sangakkara recently said, each year in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is a commen- in a world where there are more life. Paul provides tary on the call of Matthew. Jesus had compassion, questions than answers, it is a the answer that we it is good for the game and for restoring the strained leadership of the Church which is home to one sixth mercy, and also called His disciples to follow Him. ties between India and Sri Lanka. Despite the issues and twoof the months world’s have population been of majorhas changed significance, hands asin thean challenge to live out our Christian The vocation is a proof of love: It springs from the boycott in Chennai, Sri Lankan cricketers should and almost unprecedented manner. This is evidenced Faith life to its fullest. The Resur- Holy Spirit "And if not least by reactions of the 1.2 billion Catholics rection provides the answer. thecould Spirit find of it Himin the who must play in India. This will help maintain the levels of that Jesus looked at people “with the internal look of respect that millions, or even a billion, Indians have for worldwide, but also in the tangible political shock- For us Christians no raised Christ from Humankind waves generated by the election of a non-European Hisdivine heart heart more filled than with with mercy. His bodily Saint Bedeeyes.” comments our team and its individual players. Cricket is one sport other person nor other event or among the dead is pope, the repercussions of which promise to be felt As St Josemaria used to say, reminding all feast can ever take the place of within you. He who God created humankind in His own image that Sri Lanka has excelled in, and with relatively good widely" (Luke Wilkinson, Article: ‘Habemus papam!’ of us that we are called to holiness: “May I see with God saw everything that He had made and indeed, character. Many non-Sri Lankans are fans of our team. If or ‘Why I am not a Protestant’). your eyes, my Christ, dear Jesus.” The urgent need Jesus' Resurrection. So like St. raised Christ from Sri Lankan cricketers stay away from the IPL, they would Mr. Wilkinson grew up attending a Baptist to evangelize, always present in the Church, in- among the dead will "It was very good" be severing one of the primary arteries of friendship and Church with his family in South West London. By volves an invitation to look at people, at everyone, also give life to to See...... ! cooperation between the two neighbours. The players the time he came to study at University College with apostolic vision, with mercy and affection, andPaul relevance we have to of go the on tremendous reflecting your mortal bod- with the desire to help them receive the great gift My dear brothers and sisters! will also need to ignore any contradictory voices from London, he gently drifted away from religious edu- eventand exploring in our own the lives. significance Hence we ies. Yes He will do it cation towards things he found more interesting of knowing Christ and His love (Msg Echevarria, op. How much God has done to make us fulfi lled! within Sri Lanka, because many of these have vested could say" I want to know Him I through His Spirit to do, such as sports. During the summer holidays cit.). During a catechetical trip to Buenos Aires in He made everything for our good interests or are voices of envy. 1974, St Josemaria said “when you work and help want to experience the power of who dwells within conspired to lead him back towards his child- your friends, your colleagues, your neighbours, in His resurrection" (Ph3:10). you" (Rom 8: 11). For our "happiness" It is in the best interests of all that Sri Lankan players before his third and final year, a series of events such a way that they don’t notice it, you are curing Christianity began with When the We, people destroy "God's plan," tremendous grace challenging us play and contribute to the burgeoning IPL and towards them; you are Christ who heals, you are Christ who the Resurrection and without it Spirit brings us to this state, the To realise our own hoodstudent faith, residence perhaps called the most Netherhall significant House. of which Despite lives alongside others without turning up your nose to change our lives. Resentment, international cricket. It is the right thing to do. Sri Lanka there would be no Christianity. Resurrection could be a continu- washis background, finding himself the aimage place of to Pope live in Francis the Catholic does not at those in need of health, as can happen to us as frustration, and depression would In the Bible, we see God as "Creator." is one of a tribe of over 200 countries, which can easily Many Christians tend to think of ous living event in our Christian be lost in the collective crowd of nations. We excel in the cease to impress him. well some day.” not form part of our lives vocabulary. Everything He made was good! Christ in terms of His miracles, His life. Although sin has no more sport of cricket and it would be ridiculous to jeopardise All of that also means carrying and loving All such experiences can Can we see likewise ? seems to be a ‘mission statement’ for him. Though the cross, which Pope Francis also spoke about in teachings and sermons. But the hold on us we will continue to our contributions to world and regional cricket. the Church The “throughout first public actthe ofworld the Holyis at aFather crossroads greatest miracle He experienced experience the normal realities of No, no we cannot defeated people, for when God is moment, and the greatest challenge facing us is his Homily in the Chrism Mass last year, we need to was His death and Resurrection life, its calamities and tragedies As we are "Killers of Nature" Christianity is a very practical religion, despite its very stillconfirm with that us who we are can no be longer against a not the scandal of child abuse or the defence of havehis first “patience Homily. with And people” as Cardinal when Bergoglio we teach said and in ex- when He overcame sin and death. as well as its joys and happiness. We are "Killers of Animals" high moral and spiritual standards. Christ always made traditional marriage, though the former has caused plain and listen, and always pray to the Holy Spirit us. (Rom 8:3). We can make every We as Christians are The difference would be that now sure the practical side of things, such as feeding, healing much hurt to many people and the latter has gener- for grace (Msgr Echevarria, op.cit). such event a life transforming We are "Killers of Humankind ated great controversy, and both issues continue to Finally, the joy the whole Christendom unique in that we can claim our we would face such realities in a We somehow try to control God founder was never vanquished by with preaching the Word. We too, need to be moral and need addressing. The biggest challenge Christians feels over the new “Sweet Christ on Earth” must be just as Jesus did on the cross and But that will never be practicaland comforting in today’s people world; were basic first commonsense taken care of,needs along to must face is the shocking level of poverty and injus- death but was resurrected to live triumphant Jesus on the Cross, experience for we can stand firm new way fixing our gaze on the allow the grace of His death and We, people only "Lose our lives" be applied in most cases, as with the current IPL scenario. tice in our world, two things that God throughout tiff complete adhesion to his person and ministry. among His followers. This living the Resurrected Lord. We would the Bible and throughout history has mandated Throughtranslated the into hands reaffirming of the Blessed to the newVirgin, Roman we now Pon- Christ invites us to participate in no longer look at them as conse- Mercy! Lord, for we have sinned Never destroy or damage something that is good, or our lives. Christians with alleviating, though we have not express to him our unconditional reverence and Listen to our "Pleading"! brings much joy and sustenance to many people. His victory and the new life. quences of God's anger and pun- Resurrection to (Allensonflow freely de into Silva always taken this part of our faith very seriously. obedience. Sr. A.C.L. (H.F.) Some of us have a great ishment but rather as moments of Courtesy: Footprints) “As a Jesuit, Francis has lived under a vow Rev.Fr. Daniel Icatlo JCD 5 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Editorial April 21, 2013 "The Sweet Christ on Earth" Christ's invitation to follow Him by the gift "Il dolce Cristo in terra"("the sweet Christ of poverty, where even as the high-ranking Cardinal The Realm of Modern on earth"), was St. Catherine of Sienna’s way of call- of Argentina he chose to live in a simple apart- ing the Pope expressing her great love for the Vicar ment, comm of one's own life Sports of Christ. It was in the Lent of 1380 that this saintly spending much time with the poor and outcast. mystic vowed to go every morning in St. Peter's to This humilityuting has clearlyby bus markedto his office his walk every with day Godand oday, the Universal Church sion on them, because they were like children to welcome keep company to the Bridegroom, stopping in front so far, and shows all signs of continuing to do so. In today’s world sport has become a religion. And celebrates the 50th World sheep without a shepherd", and went on generously the call of the mosaic designed by Giotto for the ancient He set the tone for how he will lead the Catholic unfortunately, religion has been turned into sport in Day of Prayer for Vocations. to say, "The harvest is plentiful but the to Priesthood and to Basilica, depicting the ship of the Church among Pope Paul VI instituted this labourers are few. Pray, therefore, the Religious Life. Par- some places (especially by the numerous secular media the storms of the storm. And the saint continued gathered crowds in St. Peter’s Square to pray that T Day of Prayer to God the Father, asking Lord of the harvest to send labourers to urge the Pope: "Stand upon the ship of the Holy GodChurch would in his bless very him first in act order as pontiffthat he by might asking bless the Him to continue to send workers for His into his harvest"(Mt.9:36-38). inspire vocations. Church" (Letter 357). his people (ibid.).” Church. In the years since, successive The concern for vocations, ents influenceDear and agencies globally, when they decide to fire salvo after In an interview with the Spanish News- The journalist, José Beltrán, observed that Pontiffs have called on the Universal therefore, is the continuation of the parents, let your Saintsalvo of Paul unjustifiable often describes dirt at Church). the good Christian as an paper La Razon, the Bishop Prelate Msgr. Javier bit by bit we are getting to know more details about Echevarria commented on what struck him most in the Holy Father’s life: How he used to travel by bus, Church to gather on the 4th Sunday of mission of Jesus. The responsibility of children see and the words of the new Roman Pontiff. “Christ is the and lived in a small apartment in Buenos Aires…. promoting vocations to Priesthood and hear your depen- Sports, in general, has done many good things and borne he asked Msgr. Echevarria whether those small ev- athlete who is running determinedly to finish the race. centre,” the Pope told the journalists in the audi- Vocations. This year, being the 'Year of Religious Life rests on the shoulders dence on God in all much good fruit worldwide. For example, sports can eryday gestures can help change the minds of those ence on March 16. “This reminded me of what Saint Easter to reflect and pray for the gift of of every member in the Community. circumstances, in make people healthier, have character, more empathetic who have a stereotyped image of priests, cardinals, Josemaria so often said: “We have to speak about on the theme: Vocations as a sign of hope It should be at the centre of prayer times of happiness (especially those in team sports), more understanding, and of the Church in general. foundedFaith', Holy in faith. Father invites us to reflect and pastoral action of the Church. It is and sorrow. Teach Christ, and not about ourselves.” This is what is The Prelate replied that “his austerity is a stronger, happier, and the list goes on. The Church has chosen the important to encourage and support them values like truly essential. Pope Francis also spoke about the common note of recent popes (with some different action of the Holy Spirit. That’s the key for inter- most appropriate day to celebrate the those who show clear signs of a call - Sports can also build character, which is vital in today’s external manifestations), and also of the great ma- preting the recent Conclave and the Church’s entire jority of priests, who have the minimum they need Vocations Sunday, the Good Shepherd to Priesthood and Religious Life. They osity, honesty and world. It can also be a platform for Christians to promote history: The viewpoint of faith.” to live on, and many don’t even have that much. Sunday. The image of the Good Shep- must be made to feel the warmth of the listenselflessness, to the voicegener of their faith and even evangelise to the masses. However, Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ. Etymo- As you said, we are talking about a stereotype. I herd is the most suitable image we can whole community, their accompaniment God, so that children the commercialisation of sports brings with it myriad logically, vice is a preposition derived from the think of to express the love of God. In in prayer and encouragement. may willingly accept issues. While extending our hearty congratulations and ablative form of the Latin word vicis, meaning University of the Holy Cross. In the time between the Old Testament this image appears Vocations are born out of the what God wants blessings, we hope and pray that our newly appointed Sri 'change.' In English we understand to mean 'instead rememberactivities, at a 5cardinal in the afternoon, who came there to the was Pontifical a coffee on several occasions to express God's experience of a personal encounter with them to be in future. of' or 'as a substitute for.' The noun vicar in turn break. While drinking the coffee he said: “Tonight Lankan Cricket Board ably led by Jayantha Dharmadasa closeness to His People and His uncon- God. Therefore, it is essential that the Remember that for you and let God unfold it for you. and his colleagues will address these issues to raise Sri stems from the same root referring to 'a deputy.' I’m not going to have dinner, since I don’t have ditional love and concern for them. In community help children and young when a child enters the Seminary, his anyone to help prepare dinner for me.” This isn’t Let us continue to pray for Lankan cricket to greater heights. The expression Vicar of Christ thus indicates the people at every level of family, parish, place at home is taken by Christ Him- always the case, but many more examples could be vocations, so that God will inspire many - Shepherd in its supreme sense. Jesus, school and associations to grow into a self. Every parent, undoubtedly, would given here. more to serve in His vineyard as Priests ject acts as Christ’s alter ego on earth. He is no less beforeJesus we departing find the fromimage this of theworld Good to His genuine relationship with the Lord. like to see that most beautiful sight of The long and short answer to professionalising sports, thanvary naturethe visible of the Christ Papacy on earth.as an office whose sub ”The lack of material goods, Saint Ber- and Religious. Let us invoke the help of Father, entrusted this Ministry of shep- Among those who contrib- hence paying participants a wage, is a good thing. Every Upon the election of Pope Francis, world nard said, is not in itself a virtue; rather this virtue our Mother Mary, that by the example of worker deserves his keep. The Holy Bible clearly states entails loving poverty, which is also shown by these ute to the pastoral care of vocations, at the altar taking the place of Christ. her own acceptance of God's plan and leaders were quick to welcome the new Catholic his Priest-son offering the Holy Sacrifice that a worker deserves his wages. The problem lies not small deeds of self-denial. This disposition also His successors. family stands as the primary and the Dear children, there is noth- her powerful intercession, young people leader. Argentine President Cristina Fernández was herding the flock to the Apostles and in whether a player should be paid or not, but how much - Just as he did during His earthly ing more beautiful and worthy than to will be more and more open to saying should they be paid? Does a golfer who puts a ball in a leader. British PM David Cameron said Wednesday existence, today too, Jesus continues foremost the fruits of contact with God know Jesus, to love Him and to serve "yes" to the Lord who is constantly call- to say "come, follow me"(Mk. 10:21). inmost the important. Christian families. Vocations It isare the first family and Him. The world offers you many super- tiny hole in the ground deserve a $15 million pay cheque wasamong "a momentousthe first to congratulate day for the 1.2 the billion new Catholic Catholics findswhat expressionone has. Certainly, in knowing as Saint how Josemaria to do without said, su ing new labourers to His harvest. perfluouspoverty is possessionsone of our treasures and in being in this detached world, andfrom he Therefore the invitation is, especially, that provides a rich soil for the seeds when a housewife with seven children or a parish priest around the world." In a statement, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, too, offered pointed to the example of parents of a large family extended to young people to respond of Priestly and Religious Vocations. to cultivate a desire for what is truly Very Rev. Fr. J. D. Anthony Jayakody or a nun might do twice as much hard work for hardly any who, in lovingly striving to support their family, joy- ficial options, but stay close to Jesus their best wishes to the new Pope. to the call of the Good Shepherd who, Families animated by the spirit of faith worthy, that is, service to others in the Episcopal Vicar Formation & Vocations, Obama added: “As a champion of the poor fully renounce so many personal items. "when he saw the crowds, had compas- and love become capable of helping imitation of Jesus. God has a special plan In other words, the Christian poverty Archdiocese of Colombo and the most vulnerable among us, he carries Theof the current recognition Indian or financial Premier benefits? League (IPL) offers an ought to be seen as a virtue needed to love (as Jesus forth the message of love and compassion that has taught us), and as part of charity. At the same time, interesting dynamic at many different levels. In a vast inspired the world for more than two thousand nation of well over a billion people, where most earn a the Prelate added, “we have to do everything pos- years—that in each other we see the face of God. As sible to alleviate the suffering caused by personal Christ is Alive-Meet Him and social injustices, and I see it as only natural professional cricketers the equivalent of $15,000 per speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that that sometimes we become impatient on confront- or Christians the Resurrection desire to partake of daywage on of average? $1 per day, Is a is single it justifiable professional to pay cricketer a few hundred worth theis increasingly first pope from shaping the Americas,our world, his and selection alongside also ing so many injustices we would like to remedy.” of Jesus is the central focus of this new life but may the remunerative value of 15,000 fellow patriots? millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the We learned that Cardinal Bergoglio’s motto F Faith life. It is for today's Chris- not know how to get United States share the joy of this historic day.” was 'Miserando et eligendo'. That phrase was taken Whatever views one may spouse on reli- tian more than a faith statement connected to this In the context of Sri Lanka’s cricketers playing the IPL, from a text from the Venerable Bede that we read gion, “it is hard to deny that the events of the past it is a good thing. As Kumar Sangakkara recently said, each year in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is a commen- in a world where there are more life. Paul provides tary on the call of Matthew. Jesus had compassion, questions than answers, it is a the answer that we it is good for the game and for restoring the strained leadership of the Church which is home to one sixth mercy, and also called His disciples to follow Him. ties between India and Sri Lanka. Despite the issues and twoof the months world’s have population been of majorhas changed significance, hands asin thean challenge to live out our Christian The vocation is a proof of love: It springs from the boycott in Chennai, Sri Lankan cricketers should and almost unprecedented manner. This is evidenced Faith life to its fullest. The Resur- Holy Spirit "And if not least by reactions of the 1.2 billion Catholics rection provides the answer. thecould Spirit find of it Himin the who must play in India. This will help maintain the levels of that Jesus looked at people “with the internal look of respect that millions, or even a billion, Indians have for worldwide, but also in the tangible political shock- For us Christians no raised Christ from Humankind waves generated by the election of a non-European Hisdivine heart heart more filled than with with mercy. His bodily Saint Bedeeyes.” comments our team and its individual players. Cricket is one sport other person nor other event or among the dead is pope, the repercussions of which promise to be felt As St Josemaria used to say, reminding all feast can ever take the place of within you. He who God created humankind in His own image that Sri Lanka has excelled in, and with relatively good widely" (Luke Wilkinson, Article: ‘Habemus papam!’ of us that we are called to holiness: “May I see with God saw everything that He had made and indeed, character. Many non-Sri Lankans are fans of our team. If or ‘Why I am not a Protestant’). your eyes, my Christ, dear Jesus.” The urgent need Jesus' Resurrection. So like St. raised Christ from Sri Lankan cricketers stay away from the IPL, they would Mr. Wilkinson grew up attending a Baptist to evangelize, always present in the Church, in- among the dead will "It was very good" be severing one of the primary arteries of friendship and Church with his family in South West London. By volves an invitation to look at people, at everyone, also give life to to See...... ! cooperation between the two neighbours. The players the time he came to study at University College with apostolic vision, with mercy and affection, andPaul relevance we have to of go the on tremendous reflecting your mortal bod- with the desire to help them receive the great gift My dear brothers and sisters! will also need to ignore any contradictory voices from London, he gently drifted away from religious edu- eventand exploring in our own the lives. significance Hence we ies. Yes He will do it cation towards things he found more interesting of knowing Christ and His love (Msg Echevarria, op. How much God has done to make us fulfilled! within Sri Lanka, because many of these have vested could say" I want to know Him I through His Spirit to do, such as sports. During the summer holidays cit.). During a catechetical trip to Buenos Aires in He made everything for our good interests or are voices of envy. 1974, St Josemaria said “when you work and help want to experience the power of who dwells within conspired to lead him back towards his child- your friends, your colleagues, your neighbours, in His resurrection" (Ph3:10). you" (Rom 8: 11). For our "happiness" It is in the best interests of all that Sri Lankan players before his third and final year, a series of events such a way that they don’t notice it, you are curing Christianity began with When the We, people destroy "God's plan," tremendous grace challenging us play and contribute to the burgeoning IPL and towards them; you are Christ who heals, you are Christ who the Resurrection and without it Spirit brings us to this state, the To realise our own hoodstudent faith, residence perhaps called the most Netherhall significant House. of which Despite lives alongside others without turning up your nose to change our lives. Resentment, international cricket. It is the right thing to do. Sri Lanka there would be no Christianity. Resurrection could be a continu- washis background, finding himself the aimage place of to Pope live in Francis the Catholic does not at those in need of health, as can happen to us as frustration, and depression would In the Bible, we see God as "Creator." is one of a tribe of over 200 countries, which can easily Many Christians tend to think of ous living event in our Christian be lost in the collective crowd of nations. We excel in the cease to impress him. well some day.” not form part of our lives vocabulary. Everything He made was good! Christ in terms of His miracles, His life. Although sin has no more sport of cricket and it would be ridiculous to jeopardise All of that also means carrying and loving All such experiences can Can we see likewise ? seems to be a ‘mission statement’ for him. Though the cross, which Pope Francis also spoke about in teachings and sermons. But the hold on us we will continue to our contributions to world and regional cricket. the ChurchThe “throughout first public actthe ofworld the Holyis at aFather crossroads greatest miracle He experienced experience the normal realities of No, no we cannot defeated people, for when God is moment, and the greatest challenge facing us is his Homily in the Chrism Mass last year, we need to was His death and Resurrection life, its calamities and tragedies As we are "Killers of Nature" Christianity is a very practical religion, despite its very stillconfirm with that us who we are can no be longer against a not the scandal of child abuse or the defence of havehis first “patience Homily. with And people” as Cardinal when Bergoglio we teach said and in ex - when He overcame sin and death. as well as its joys and happiness. We are "Killers of Animals" high moral and spiritual standards. Christ always made traditional marriage, though the former has caused plain and listen, and always pray to the Holy Spirit us. (Rom 8:3). We can make every We as Christians are The difference would be that now sure the practical side of things, such as feeding, healing much hurt to many people and the latter has gener- for grace (Msgr Echevarria, op.cit). such event a life transforming We are "Killers of Humankind ated great controversy, and both issues continue to Finally, the joy the whole Christendom unique in that we can claim our we would face such realities in a We somehow try to control God founder was never vanquished by with preaching the Word. We too, need to be moral and need addressing. The biggest challenge Christians feels over the new “Sweet Christ on Earth” must be just as Jesus did on the cross and But that will never be practicaland comforting in today’s people world; were basic first commonsense taken care of,needs along to must face is the shocking level of poverty and injus- - death but was resurrected to live triumphant Jesus on the Cross, experience for we can stand firm new way fixing our gaze on the allow the grace of His death and We, people only "Lose our lives" be applied in most cases, as with the current IPL scenario. tice in our world, two things that God throughout tiff complete adhesion to his person and ministry. among His followers. This living the Resurrected Lord. We would the Bible and throughout history has mandated Throughtranslated the into hands reaffirming of the Blessed to the newVirgin, Roman we now Pon Christ invites us to participate in no longer look at them as conse- Mercy! Lord, for we have sinned Never destroy or damage something that is good, or our lives. Christians with alleviating, though we have not express to him our unconditional reverence and Listen to our "Pleading"! brings much joy and sustenance to many people. His victory and the new life. quences of God's anger and pun- Resurrection to (Allensonflow freely de into Silva always taken this part of our faith very seriously. obedience. Sr. A.C.L. (H.F.) Some of us have a great ishment but rather as moments of Courtesy: Footprints) “As a Jesuit, Francis has lived under a vow Rev.Fr. Daniel Icatlo JCD 6 The Messenger 21 April 2013 The Vanity of Worldly Riches Redemption Maryís sublime momentH of glory Trinity, to consent to become the Mother of God. We dreaming of marriage, raising a family, teaching children ne day, the father A mangled form Thoughts have heard the story so many times its glory sometimes the Jewish laws and traditions. The artists would have of a very wealthy From which that haunt me fails us. The feast marks the most sublime moment in undoubtedly given much thought to the renditions they family, took his son O Blood merged the history of time, the moment when the Second Divine were called upon to make. Compiled by: Kishani S. Fernando on a trip to the village to with sweat Person of the Most Holy Trinity assumed human nature show his son how poor Did trickle down. in the womb of the Mary. This year the Church We produce here some masterpieces found in our local people live. They spent a tradition, which has come down from the Thongs that bruised celebrated the feast of the Annunciation on April 8. churches. Left to right: Part of a painting at St. Paul’s couple of days and nights consist in abundance of apostolic ages, tells us that the great mystery Anglican Cathedral, Kandy, Richard Gabriel’s oil on a on the farm of what would possessions. the fl esh of the Incarnation was achieved at the hour of For centuries, artists have attempted to picture Mary In ‘Loka Vagga,’ A be considered a very A sword that midnight, when the Most Holy Virgin was alone and at this moment and have adopted a variety of devout Thimbirigasyaya, Dharmasena’s indigenized painting poor family. On return the Lord Buddha says that pierced the side absorbed in prayer, that the Gabriel appeared settings: Surrounded by angels, dressed in red velvet showingwall fitted Mary into dressed a medallion in the local at St. saree Theresa’s at the Seminary Church, this world is a bubble and before her, and asked her, in the name of the Blessed from their trip, the father From whence the blood or standing amid tapestries and silver candles. But or Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya, Kandy, painting of N.S. asked the son, “How was sometimes we might feel that these beautiful paintings Godamanne on the high vaulted ceiling at St. Mary’s the trip? Did you see how is not there. It is because and water fl owed. rob the reality of the situation. We wonder might not Church, Grand Street, Negombo, stained glass plaque by poor people live?” thewhat world we expected we live in, to isfind full By blood reclaimed Mary have walked barefooted, cooking, attending to the Nalini Jayasuriya, painting at the St. Anthony’s Cathedral, “Oh yeah,” said of man made imitations. A We could rise anew chores around the house and leading a simple life. Might Kandy, stained glass window at All Church, the son. “So tell me, what great majority of us suc- As did Christ on Easter morn. not she have been a young woman of deep faith, probably Borella, painting of Mary’s submission to the will of the cumb to wrong values. We Father also by Nalini Jayasuriya, stained glass window at did you learn from the Ah! but do we claim to be reclaimed trip?” asked the father.The others. We buy our food, the lasting riches that strongly believe money Pitipana Church, Negombo, a print at St. Mary’s Church, Or do we wallow still in sin and shame Bambalapitiya. son answered,”I realised but they grow theirs. We Christ advocates us to can buy everything: There that we have one dog and have walls around our gather during our life are short cuts to knowl- Was His Precious Blood then spilled in vain they had four. We have a property to protect us. span: Riches gathered edge and learning: Noise For man who opts to remain unreclaimed. pool that reaches to the They have their friends, through the accumula- is more soothing than middle of the garden, and the whole village to pro- tion of spiritual blessings, silence. We forget the fact Jeannette Cabraal they have a small stream tect them. that we are put on this that has no end. We have The boy’s father of the lives of those who earth for a short span for a imported lanterns in our was listening. “Thanks dad,” hungerself-sacrifice, for care enrichment and hu- much nobler purpose, the garden, and they have the the son said, “for showing man warmth. We do not purpose of winning eter- stars at night. Our patio me how poor we are.” live on the principle of nal life by following the reaches to the front yard We often consider providing what people supreme example set by Doctor - Patient and they have the whole need to live, rather on the Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. horizon. We have a whole cial resources, acquisition creation of demand. Our piece of land to live on, ofrichness movable in termsand immov- of finan- economy is not concerned kingdom and righteous- Relationship “But seek first His able assets, savings and with meeting people’s ness, and all these things stretch for so many miles. bank balances. However, needs but to stimulate will be added to you.” (Mt. Weand have they servantshave fields who that this form of wealth can 6: 33) people’s greed. We live Only the truth that in life we have spoken serve us, but they serve Ananda Perera easily lure us away from convinced that life does Only the seed that on earth we have sown. These shall pass onwards when we are forgotten Brian Tracy is Fruits of the harvest and what we have done - ‘Bonar’ a leading authority on Eat that Frog I am 76-years-old and have been a doctor development of human for the past 48 years. I see an extremely sad relation- potential in the United founded by an Italian ship between todays doctors and their patients. I States of America. He ad- economist named Vil- was told by my ancestors that if you fail to become dresses audiences of tens fredo Pareto who lived Bits & the king of the land, be a physician. People look up to of thousands of people in the 18th century. He us and trust us with their lives. So if one is a doctor, at a time. He speaks to found that all economic responsibility and honesty is an absolute must. 250,000 people a year and activity revolves around Pieces I know we have to earn a living from our has written over 25 books. this 80/20 principle.20% Madi profession but it has to be done with honesty, giving His latest book, ‘Eat that of your activities will time for the patient to describe his illness so that we Frog’ is an international account for 80% of your gather all the information of the signs and symptoms best seller and it has sold results. 20% of your followed by a proper examination and tentative di- over 500,000 copies, customers will give you who took over a business having control over what agnosis. Instead of immediately ordering a gamut of Brian Tracy has establishment that was you do next. And you are tests at terrible costs for the poor patient, we should found this title from an rest will give you only 20 running at a loss. He did always free to choose the ancient quotation, “If the 80% of your profits. The a feasibility study and task that you will do next. Doctors should have time to listen and explain to the �irst thing you have to do This 80/20 prin- found that his business Your ability to choose patient,not sacrifice not our summararily knowledge discharge and ability them to a machine. for the when you wake up in the ciplepercent could of your also profits.be applied was over-staffed. After between the important next. morning is eat a live frog, to our daily tasks. If we consulting management and unimportant is the Sri Lanka is the only country where we have then nothing worse can have ten things to do on experts in the business key determination of your free medical education and it is from the tax, people happen for the rest of the our to-do-list today there success in life and work.” have paid. It is not only the rich, but even a beg- day.” The moral is to do may be one or two things has to retrench about 30 The most im- the worst thing that you (20%) that are the most personsfield he realized from his that staff. he portant task may be the the bread, and dhal in the curry because everything important. They may be thatgar has is imported paid tax isfor taxed; sugar though in his notcup visible of tea, even flour the in rest of the activities that for a new and a young as eating a live frog. If you poorest pay for it. So they have all paid for us to be- youhave have to do to first do areand going the like eating a live frog. But manager.This was aBut difficult he “ate task the forcemore yourselfdifficult taskto do such the come doctors. We are duty bound to look after them to be easy. the most difficult tasks, frog.” He went through hardest tasks, the rest of honestly and kindly. He is the author have been accomplished, industrial action and la- the duties will be easy to Another sad practice I have come to know who was responsible theonce rest these of the difficult tasks things will bour tribunals and at the perform. These important is that the consultants do not do their daily ward for introducing Pareto’s end managed to retrench tasks may be our du- rounds in many wards. The consultants in my time 80/20 Principle to the I know of a direc- the extra employees and ties towards our family, never missed a ward round in the morning and of- USA. This principle was torbe easily of an organization,fulfilled. made the organization a relationships, carrier or ten in the evening too. So the juniors could learn life. It may be getting very well from them as medical studies is an appren- Take time for a minute of Brian Tracy talks rid of addictions in your tice course in many ways. How can the juniors get aboutprofitable motivating venture. our- life: Addiction to alcohol, a proper training unless supervised and shown how humour - smile! selves not to postpone drugs, gambling, money they could do various procedures. The result will be Bob took his dog to a vet important decisions that and wealth. These may more and more poorly trained doctors. we have to make. “Just be holding you back from “Doctor, I think my dog is Drugs are another serious problem. Every thinking about starting success in life. People one writes one or two antibiotics even for a simple dead.” Putting it on the make New Year resolu- cold and cough. The drug importers often bring table, the vet came back tant task motivates you tions. Some people make mainly antibiotics some of which are of dubious ef- with a cat. The cat sniffed and helpsfinishing you an to impor-over- Lenten resolutions. It the dog’s ears, his nose and walked all over him. come procrastination. is not late to make your for high blood pressure and cholesterol breaking Time management is re- resolution to do fIrst the ficacy. There are drugs for gastritis (prozoles) drugs The vet fi nally said, “Yep! Your dog is dead.” Then down ones and also antidiabetics of which some do ally life management and not have any action at all. Surely doctors have brains; he gave him a bill for 535 (dollars); 35 for the of- personal management. It important tasks of your let’s get together and help our own people. fi ce and 500 for the cat scan. is really taking control of life;most even difficult if it meansbut most eating Let us be honest! Rev. Fr. Fraccid Anthony Fernando OMI the sequence of events. that frog. Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya. Time management is 7 The Messenger 21 April 2013 The Vanity of Worldly Riches Redemption Maryís sublime momentH of glory Trinity, to consent to become the Mother of God. We dreaming of marriage, raising a family, teaching children ne day, the father A mangled form Thoughts have heard the story so many times its glory sometimes the Jewish laws and traditions. The artists would have of a very wealthy From which that haunt me fails us. The feast marks the most sublime moment in undoubtedly given much thought to the renditions they family, took his son O Blood merged the history of time, the moment when the Second Divine were called upon to make. Compiled by: Kishani S. Fernando on a trip to the village to with sweat Person of the Most Holy Trinity assumed human nature show his son how poor Did trickle down. in the womb of the Virgin Mary. This year the Church We produce here some masterpieces found in our local people live. They spent a tradition, which has come down from the Thongs that bruised celebrated the feast of the Annunciation on April 8. churches. Left to right: Part of a painting at St. Paul’s couple of days and nights consist in abundance of apostolic ages, tells us that the great mystery Anglican Cathedral, Kandy, Richard Gabriel’s oil on a on the farm of what would possessions. the fl esh of the Incarnation was achieved at the hour of For centuries, artists have attempted to picture Mary In ‘Loka Vagga,’ A be considered a very A sword that midnight, when the Most Holy Virgin was alone and at this moment and have adopted a variety of devout Thimbirigasyaya, Dharmasena’s indigenized painting poor family. On return the Lord Buddha says that pierced the side absorbed in prayer, that the Archangel Gabriel appeared settings: Surrounded by angels, dressed in red velvet showingwall fitted Mary into dressed a medallion in the local at St. saree Theresa’s at the Seminary Church, this world is a bubble and before her, and asked her, in the name of the Blessed from their trip, the father From whence the blood or standing amid tapestries and silver candles. But or Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya, Kandy, painting of N.S. asked the son, “How was sometimes we might feel that these beautiful paintings Godamanne on the high vaulted ceiling at St. Mary’s the trip? Did you see how is not there. It is because and water fl owed. rob the reality of the situation. We wonder might not Church, Grand Street, Negombo, stained glass plaque by poor people live?” thewhat world we expected we live in, to isfind full By blood reclaimed Mary have walked barefooted, cooking, attending to the Nalini Jayasuriya, painting at the St. Anthony’s Cathedral, “Oh yeah,” said of man made imitations. A We could rise anew chores around the house and leading a simple life. Might Kandy, stained glass window at All Saints Church, the son. “So tell me, what great majority of us suc- As did Christ on Easter morn. not she have been a young woman of deep faith, probably Borella, painting of Mary’s submission to the will of the cumb to wrong values. We Father also by Nalini Jayasuriya, stained glass window at did you learn from the Ah! but do we claim to be reclaimed trip?” asked the father.The others. We buy our food, the lasting riches that strongly believe money Pitipana Church, Negombo, a print at St. Mary’s Church, Or do we wallow still in sin and shame Bambalapitiya. son answered,”I realised but they grow theirs. We Christ advocates us to can buy everything: There that we have one dog and have walls around our gather during our life are short cuts to knowl- Was His Precious Blood then spilled in vain they had four. We have a property to protect us. span: Riches gathered edge and learning: Noise For man who opts to remain unreclaimed. pool that reaches to the They have their friends, through the accumula- is more soothing than middle of the garden, and the whole village to pro- tion of spiritual blessings, silence. We forget the fact Jeannette Cabraal they have a small stream tect them. that we are put on this that has no end. We have The boy’s father of the lives of those who earth for a short span for a imported lanterns in our was listening. “Thanks dad,” hungerself-sacrifice, for care enrichment and hu- much nobler purpose, the garden, and they have the the son said, “for showing man warmth. We do not purpose of winning eter- stars at night. Our patio me how poor we are.” live on the principle of nal life by following the reaches to the front yard We often consider providing what people supreme example set by Doctor - Patient and they have the whole need to live, rather on the Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. horizon. We have a whole cial resources, acquisition creation of demand. Our piece of land to live on, ofrichness movable in termsand immov- of finan- economy is not concerned kingdom and righteous- Relationship “But seek first His able assets, savings and with meeting people’s ness, and all these things stretch for so many miles. bank balances. However, needs but to stimulate will be added to you.” (Mt. Weand have they servantshave fields who that this form of wealth can 6: 33) people’s greed. We live Only the truth that in life we have spoken serve us, but they serve Ananda Perera easily lure us away from convinced that life does Only the seed that on earth we have sown. These shall pass onwards when we are forgotten Brian Tracy is Fruits of the harvest and what we have done - ‘Bonar’ a leading authority on Eat that Frog I am 76-years-old and have been a doctor development of human for the past 48 years. I see an extremely sad relation- potential in the United founded by an Italian ship between todays doctors and their patients. I States of America. He ad- economist named Vil- was told by my ancestors that if you fail to become dresses audiences of tens fredo Pareto who lived Bits & the king of the land, be a physician. People look up to of thousands of people in the 18th century. He us and trust us with their lives. So if one is a doctor, at a time. He speaks to found that all economic responsibility and honesty is an absolute must. 250,000 people a year and activity revolves around Pieces I know we have to earn a living from our has written over 25 books. this 80/20 principle.20% Madi profession but it has to be done with honesty, giving His latest book, ‘Eat that of your activities will time for the patient to describe his illness so that we Frog’ is an international account for 80% of your gather all the information of the signs and symptoms best seller and it has sold results. 20% of your followed by a proper examination and tentative di- over 500,000 copies, customers will give you who took over a business having control over what agnosis. Instead of immediately ordering a gamut of Brian Tracy has establishment that was you do next. And you are tests at terrible costs for the poor patient, we should found this title from an rest will give you only 20 running at a loss. He did always free to choose the ancient quotation, “If the 80% of your profits. The a feasibility study and task that you will do next. Doctors should have time to listen and explain to the �irst thing you have to do This 80/20 prin- found that his business Your ability to choose patient,not sacrifice not our summararily knowledge discharge and ability them to a machine. for the when you wake up in the ciplepercent could of your also profits.be applied was over-staffed. After between the important next. morning is eat a live frog, to our daily tasks. If we consulting management and unimportant is the Sri Lanka is the only country where we have then nothing worse can have ten things to do on experts in the business key determination of your free medical education and it is from the tax, people happen for the rest of the our to-do-list today there success in life and work.” have paid. It is not only the rich, but even a beg- day.” The moral is to do may be one or two things has to retrench about 30 The most im- the worst thing that you (20%) that are the most personsfield he realized from his that staff. he portant task may be the the bread, and dhal in the curry because everything important. They may be thatgar has is imported paid tax isfor taxed; sugar though in his notcup visible of tea, even flour the in rest of the activities that for a new and a young as eating a live frog. If you poorest pay for it. So they have all paid for us to be- youhave have to do to first do areand going the like eating a live frog. But manager.This was aBut difficult he “ate task the forcemore yourselfdifficult taskto do such the come doctors. We are duty bound to look after them to be easy. the most difficult tasks, frog.” He went through hardest tasks, the rest of honestly and kindly. He is the author have been accomplished, industrial action and la- the duties will be easy to Another sad practice I have come to know who was responsible theonce rest these of the difficult tasks things will bour tribunals and at the perform. These important is that the consultants do not do their daily ward for introducing Pareto’s end managed to retrench tasks may be our du- rounds in many wards. The consultants in my time 80/20 Principle to the I know of a direc- the extra employees and ties towards our family, never missed a ward round in the morning and of- USA. This principle was torbe easily of an organization,fulfilled. made the organization a relationships, carrier or ten in the evening too. So the juniors could learn life. It may be getting very well from them as medical studies is an appren- Take time for a minute of Brian Tracy talks rid of addictions in your tice course in many ways. How can the juniors get aboutprofitable motivating venture. our- life: Addiction to alcohol, a proper training unless supervised and shown how humour - smile! selves not to postpone drugs, gambling, money they could do various procedures. The result will be Bob took his dog to a vet important decisions that and wealth. These may more and more poorly trained doctors. we have to make. “Just be holding you back from “Doctor, I think my dog is Drugs are another serious problem. Every thinking about starting success in life. People one writes one or two antibiotics even for a simple dead.” Putting it on the make New Year resolu- cold and cough. The drug importers often bring table, the vet came back tant task motivates you tions. Some people make mainly antibiotics some of which are of dubious ef- with a cat. The cat sniffed and helpsfinishing you an to impor-over- Lenten resolutions. It the dog’s ears, his nose and walked all over him. come procrastination. is not late to make your for high blood pressure and cholesterol breaking Time management is re- resolution to do fIrst the ficacy. There are drugs for gastritis (prozoles) drugs The vet fi nally said, “Yep! Your dog is dead.” Then down ones and also antidiabetics of which some do ally life management and not have any action at all. Surely doctors have brains; he gave him a bill for 535 (dollars); 35 for the of- personal management. It important tasks of your let’s get together and help our own people. fi ce and 500 for the cat scan. is really taking control of life;most even difficult if it meansbut most eating Let us be honest! Rev. Fr. Fraccid Anthony Fernando OMI the sequence of events. that frog. Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya. Time management is 8 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, Bl. Joseph Vaz - His early - a model Evangelizer years and Ministry in India pril 21, 2013, marks the 361st Church of Our Lady of Snows in Sanoco- his knees touched the ground, two Birth Anniversary of Blessed ale. Here at the Altar he wrote his now springs of water emerged and these he , Such was the scriptural inspira- spirit of today’s Church. Its in Ampitya in Joseph Vaz. Born in his mater- famous Letter of Bondage to Mother exist to this day, having never run dry. Thomas Benjamin tion he drew from the famous theology and missionary vi- 1955 with its nal home in Benaulim, South Mary offering himself as a Perpetual While Pope John Paul II was reading Cardinal Cooray missionary text of Luke 4:18-19 sion are becoming more and administration A Goa, he was baptised a week later at the Slave of Mother Mary and that she Twhose cause is now where Jesus claims to have more relevant and demanding and forma- Church of St. also in makes use of him as she desires. Having Joseph Vaz at the Galle Face Green in being prepared at the level of today when socio-cultural and tion curricula Benaulim. The Baptismal Font built in signed this Letter, he removed his shoes Colombo,the official these proclamation two springs of Blessed gushed the Archdiocese of Colombo prophesy of which said: political-religious challenges being en- solicit granite is to be seen to this day. and left them beneath the Altar. From out water as a fountain and subsided was an Oblate of Mary Immacu- “Thecome spirit to fulfill of the the Lord 800-year is upon old seem to confront not only the trusted to the A day after his birth, his father Christo- then onwards till he died in Kandy he after about ten minutes. At that time late. As such, he belonged to me, to evangelize the poor he values enshrined in the Chris- Oblates. The pher Vaz having seen a bright star shin- never wore any footwear, traversing two Bishops and a number of priests the missionary congregation has sent me and ….to declare tian faith, but even all religions staff for this ing in the noonday sky wrote thus in his through hills slopes and jungles always were concelebrating Holy Mass in the that was founded by St. Eugène the Year of the Lord’ favour.” in principle. The two main overwhelm- diary. "This son of mine will one day be barefooted. Shrine and this event was witnessed de Mazenod, who himself was a We must not forget preoccupations and later com- ingly crucial great" and great he became. His entire As a young priest he was ap- by thousands of pilgrims who had missionary bishop. As founder, that Sri Lanka was considered mitments of Vatican II were and important in government schools. While pointed to a small parish in Goa and gathered here for the occasion. he dared to trust in divine in the 1940’s, and even now, Renewal and the Updating of institution was drawn from the was entrusted with the task of visiting he took care to keep some very and Blessed Joseph Vaz applied once as a missionary country and the Church. Archbishop Cooray best of professors and forma- good Catholic schools which yearslife of infifty India nine followed years could by the be remaining divided houses which he did every evening. Mission in Ceylon again to the acting Governor to enter batch of four French Oblates among missionaries were who actively took part both in tors from USA and Europe with had to be managed under much twenty-nineinto twos equal years parts. in Sri The Lanka. first thirtyWe shall One evening he encountered a heavy providence and send the first Like many saints in the history Ceylon by boat as a coolie. This was in 1847 to begin the oblate mis- Oblates from France, Holland, preparatory and in the 4-year the reins progressively being constraint, he opened a centre storm and took shelter in the verandah of the Church, Blessed Joseph Vaz's min- granted and the Lord opened the door sion in Sri Lanka as a result of Italy, Spain and United King- sessions of the Council together passed on to Sri Lankan Oblate for training religion teach- part-his life in India. of a nearby house. On seeing him the istry in Kanara ran into troubled waters. in 1682 for Blessed Joseph Vaz to enter Bishop Orazio Bettachini, the dom who continued to come to with the entire contingent of formators. The negotiations for ers in parishes and schools now reflect In course on the ofhighlights time the ofVaz the family first inmates beckoned him to come in and then Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna, work here in schools, parishes the Sri Lankan Bishops ab- this venture had directly been His Superiors misunderstood him and Sri Lanka not onl at Tammita, which today has moved to the village of Sancoale from he reluctantly obliged. The storm con- became suspicious of his intentions. At who went all the way to Mar- and charitable institutions. sorbed well and clearly the vi- between Roman authorities in a broad-based spectrum of where the boy Joseph commenced his tinued and with nightfall, the inmates an almost extinct Catholicism but also this stage the Jesuit Fathers, with whom y to fan the flames of seilles to beg at his feet to ask To have elected Fr. Benjamin sion of Vatican II for the Church the Vatican and the Oblate Gen- educational activities as well. primary schooling. At school he was convinced him to stay over for the to "raise" it to unimaginable heights he was staying in Kanara, had seen him for urgent assistance to care for of the future. He saw how, the eral Administration. Structures All these show how sensitive he loved by both his teacher and school- night. The next morning before he left, within a period of twenty-nine years in Ecstasy, almost hanging in the air on the Church in Sri Lanka. the general missionary hopes centre of the Catholic Church of reform were later introduced has been to his pastoral duties mates alike. He would never hurt he inquired from the couple as to what and thereby lay a solid foundation for Cooray OMI reflects therefore several occasions while he was in deep Young Benjamin of the Church as such. It was was slowly shifting to the third- in 1972 with the seminary ad- of fostering faith and safe- anyone either by word or deed and thus they wished to have from him as he today's Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. prayer. This was reported to his supe- Cooray after having completed with this missionary zeal that world Christian countries and ministration vested in the local guarding Catholic life traditions grew up as a model student. From his was highly impressed by their hospi- On this his 361st birth Anni- his University degree joined he began to work in the diocese the minority Churches in the bishops’ conference. within his fold. early years he imbibed a great devotion tality. The couple replied that God had riors after which no action was taken versary, Catholics in Sri Lanka bow in this missionary congregation, now entrusted to him. It has non-Christian lands. Already Cardinal Cooray having to Mother Mary. He always wore the Ro- blessed them with almost everything against him. At about this time he came gratitude to this man of God, son of Goa been said that his elevation to during the Council, he had understood well the orienta- Authentic Evangelizer sary around his neck and would recite they needed but though married for to know of the plight of the Catholics in and Apostle of Sri Lanka and prayerfully He was then sent to Rome for the rank of Cardinal by Pope joined a group of Asian Bishops tions of Vatican II regarding the It has been accepted it on his way to and from school. Once ten years they had no children. Fr. Vaz Ceylon under the Dutch regime. His eye awaits the day when he will be raised to making his first vows in 1925. his priestly and missionary Paul VI in February 1965 was to discuss the possibility of a Church and the secular world even by the foreign press that back from school, unlike other children blessed them and assured them that now turned towards Ceylon - the land the Altar. training and after ordination in seen manifestly as a gesture of grouping of the Asian Bishops’ began the institute of SEDEC Cardinal Cooray maintained of his age, he would not head towards next year they would be blessed with of his dreams. With this end in view, he On behalf of the National 1929 returned to serve the ob- appreciation and recognition conferences for a more effec- for social animation and hu- excellent relations both with the playground. Instead, he would help a child. On this very day the following wished to study Tamil and this led him Joseph Vaz Secretariat, the writer has late vicariate in Sri Lanka: First of the pioneering missionary tive insertion of the Gospel in manitarian work. He opened an the State authorities and the his mother with her daily household year, the couple were blessed with a son to Tuticorin in the far South where he organised annual pilgrimages to Goa a teacher at St. Joseph’s College, work accomplished by the Ob- the Asian lands and for more institute for the media aposto- Buddhist Clergy and institu- chores such as marketing, cleaning whom they named Joseph. Ever since, mastered the Tamil Language. From during the past twenty-one years. then as warden of the Univer- lates in this country for more incisive efforts of evangeliza- late to integrate social com- tions and was very sensitive the house and fetching water for the Blessed Joseph Vaz has come to stay as then onwards he was waiting for an Among others the places visited include sity hostel for Catholic students than a century: its crowning tion. And so, the Federation munications to the apostolate to the causes of preserving household from a nearby spring which the patron of childless couples for many opportunity to "slip" into Ceylon. He Benaulim, Sancoale, Cortalim Church, and later as Superior of the of Asian Bishops (FABC) was of evangelization. He felt the interreligious harmony and exists to this day. The water from this are those who had recourse to him in requested many of his fellow priests to the spring, Blessed Joseph Vaz's room, Oblate Scholasticate where he Bishop Eugène de Mazenod, born. importance of a well-informed ethnic unity. One Sri Lanka spring is well known for it's curative prayer and were blessed with children. join him but none of them obliged as the the Oratory, Church of Our Lady of was responsible for nine long theglory. Oblate It is also founder, significant referred that to Asia is a continent and formed laity and raised the with a Sri Lankan identity for properties, especially for those suffering Blessed Joseph Vaz founded Dutch had issued an "Order" in Ceylon Snows, St. 's remains and years for the missionary train- Sri Lanka (Ceylon at that time) which is one-third of today’s all was ever his prayer and from various skin ailments. As a result the Oratorian Order in Goa and became that all Catholic priests should quit the the Mudippu Hill where stands today ing of young men who contem- as the most beautiful country humanity but paradoxically, right in the heart of the City of ideal for his motherland. He of helping his mother every evening, he Island under pain of death. As such he a beautiful Shrine dedicated to Blessed plated becoming Oblate (OMI) in the world and at the same it is a continent of manifest Colombogiant edifice at its of busiestPaul VI intersec-centre was looked upon as a personal- Oratorian Order supplied priests to Sri became isolated and decided to enter Joseph Vaz. priests. It was at this time, that time as the most beautiful and poverty though rich in ancient tion to house and co-ordinate it's first Superior. In course of time the ity of the highest integrity that his parish church in Cortalim for silent Lanka for nearly 130 years after the Ceylon all by himself. Hence he applied This year's pilgrimage is sched- he was nominated Coadjutor to promising mission that Oblates cultures and many of today’s all the lay apostolates of the prayer.could hardly find any time for visiting demise of Blessed Joseph Vaz. However, earned everyone’s respect. He to the Dutch Governor of Tuticorin to uled for mid August and readers are Archbishop Jean-Marie Masson had the privilege of serving. He living religious traditions such Archdiocese. One cannot forget In those days it was customary Divine Providence led him out of Goa was a person committed to enter Ceylon as a layman and this was most welcome to join same. OMI, consecrated in 1945 at in fact had dreamt of the entire as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam his sharing of the Canon Car- that all churches would shut their doors and he ministered to the faithful in peace, brotherhood, justice in immediately refused. That same night the age of 44 and later suc- island being evangelized and and many other indigenous din’s vision for the workers and with nightfall. However, young Joseph Kanara - present Mangalore and further all matters, spirituality and a this Governor died of a heart attack Roggy Corera ceeded him in 1947. He retired was every ready to send fresh ones. The Asians had to take the launching of the YCW also approached his parish priest and sought South in Kerala. In Mangalore, he ef- champion of non-violence. He in 1976 having shepherded supplies of missionaries, if this local situation in hand and in the heart of Colombo. He be- permission to have the church open for fected mass desired a Sri Lankan Church the Archdiocese for 30 long there was need. respond as modern missionar- lieved in integral formation and an extra hour or two. This was refused conversions that is truly close to the culture years and presided over the Sri Archbishop Cooray ies with modern approaches. the need for vocational training and faced with no other option, Joseph from among of the people, a religious com- Lankan Bishops’ Conference as without any doubt was led by And so eventually, after attend- of youth and thus began the would jump out of his room through the the Hindus and munity deeply adhering to its well. One could easily witness the Oblate charism of blazing ing many of FABC Plenaries and Radio Lab in Kotahena for the window while the entire Vaz household Muslims and At the foot of the Cross, the Rugged Cross religious and moral tenets and to his simple missionary zeal new trails in carrying forward Institutes beginning in 1972, was fast asleep and head towards the this prompted one through which the coun- Rushed I, O Lord Unknown to humans bequeath and love for the poor in all the the work of evangelization, not he was overjoyed in his retire- The centre of St. church in total darkness as there were them to plot try can be served. All these, as All the way to Calvary phases of his saintly life as a only within the Archdiocesan ment years to see the empha- Vincent’sbenefit of Home,poor youth. Maggona for no street lights at that time. There, he against him. Treading the path you had swayed through And a spring-breeze tenderness seminarian in Rome, a priest in boundaries, but he had even sis on dialogue as the most the rehabilitation of youth one can perceive, are values of would kneel on the steps leading to the One evening Carrying a Cross, a heavy Rugged Cross APervades divine ecstasy my soul fills my heart early ministry and later as the crossed borders reaching the effective and workable form and their vocational/spiritual the kingdom that the Church front door of the Church and pray in the at dusk, he Having heard sixth Archbishop of the See of remote areas of Anuradhapura, of evangelizing the cultures, formation was revamped and strives to build and diffuse in silence of the night. The huge doors of was led up the Manna that came from Heaven gave! Of the pardon you had granted a historical seat of Buddhism religions and the poor of Asia. entrusted to the care of the the interest of spreading the Mudippu hill RemindingLight I feel me of the fulfilment To the thief on to your right Cardinal. in Sri Lanka. Thanks to his It was a clear crowning of his Oblates. Its old boys are faring good news of the Gospel of open and a voice from behind would on the pretext The heaviness of the sin-ache Also nailed to his wooden cross Colombo and first Sri Lankan personal interest in this mis- initial dreams as a pioneering well in life today. A similar cen- Jesus Christ, which in simple beckonthis Church Joseph would to proceed miraculously to the beAltar, flung of a sick call Gone off my senses Forgiving his sins and awarding Missionary Zeal sion district, carved out of founder-member. tre of the Diyagala Boys Town words is evangelization. but obedient as he was to his parish in order to be Is it a trance? Nay, it’s real, indeed real! Paradise for his remorse Know I now As the Superior of the Jaffna and Trinco-Batticaloa run by the Christian brothers As a priest, bishop and priest he would refuse to walk in. As a killed. Sensing I too longed Where from the drop had come Oblate Scholasticate, he was dioceses and entrusted to the Post Independance Church continues its incomparable Cardinal, the servant of God result, it is said that two Angels would danger to his forming young men to become local oblates, it has grown to Within Sri Lanka itself, work. One of Cardinal’s main To gain in abundance That’s the last drop of Blood Thomas Cooray was not only carry him and leave him at the Altar life he knelt What my Lord had preserved oblate missionaries accord- he was engaged in leading a concerns was the spiritual Your love for me and pardon for my sins a loving and kind shepherd to rails from where he prayed into the on solid rock To cleanse me, ing to the mind and charism from the originally small rural post-Independence Church. development of the various wee hours of the morning after which and prayed to Knowing well much ahead of Bishop Eugène de Mazenod. Catholicbe a full-fledged communities, diocese like today that He had to contend with very categories of the faithful. The Not on the Cross, the Rugged Cross! authentic evangelizer and an would hurry back home and enter his God that he But, Alas! Only to find you That I too would That was his preoccupation. Retreat House of Tewatte, an the flock, but in many ways an room through the same window before be spared for Rush with remorse, tear-rolled remorse apostle of the Gospel. He can Am I late O Lord, While he himself lived an exem- with such care and has now rising Buddhist nationalism, ideal oasis for quiet, contem- the Vaz family rises up in the morning. his intended For His pardon graced in Love! truly be emulated with greater Or, am I condemned and prior destined? plary life as a missionary oblate blossomedof Kāgama whichinto a full-blownhe nursed thedifficult violent issues insurrection such as the of the plation and spiritual renewal Such was his piety at so tender an age. mission in Sri appreciation as we prepare Have I missed to be a Magdalene, in the community, he animated diocese since 1982. A third frustrated youth in 1971 and a next to the imposing Basilica The huge doors of this church are intact Lanka. Im- I now walk down Calvary, for the 25th anniversary of Or the thief you canonised in Calvary? the entire student body in bishop, an Oblate, is now its new political era that emerged that he completed, was begun to this day and have not been replaced mediately a Blessed and Resurrected his heavenly birth in Decem- Crumbled in desolation the way of the life- of the chief shepherd. with the 1972 Constitution. to cater to this indispens- through the last three centuries. thunder bolt My heart and soul ber 2013. The Servant of God. I look up again and again, with hope Missionary Oblates. His talks, Besides, he began to see the able dimension of creating an struck the area Filled with Divine Love Cardinal Cooray is undoubtedly To the Cross, the empty Cross conferences were geared to Vatican II need of fostering an indigenous evangelized Church of priests, A Priest and his would Hoping to see my Risen Lord animate them in the pursuit of Archbishop Cooray clergy to care for the Church in religious and laity. A sad fall- a perfect missionary son of St. Hark! There I feel on my cheek Having fared well in his exami- be assassins Moistened with my tears so cold In glory, all glory the Oblate charism which is to attended all the sessions of these vitally changing socio- out of the schools take-over of Eugène de Mazenod, to whose nations, Joseph answered the Lord's A drop rolling down with warmth On the day of Easter, the Holy Easter! leave nothing undared to estab- Vatican II which was the major cultural and political scenarios. the mid-sixties was the threat missionary congregation he call and entered the Seminary and was in fright, leav- Permeating a fragrance, a celestial fragrance lish the Reign of Christ and to Catholic event in the last cen- A major event of priestly for- to Christian formation and lived faithful to the end. Tharcius S. Fernando ordained a priest. The very next day af- ingfled him the allscene opt always to work for and with tury and continuing to inspire mation was the inauguration of religion-teaching affecting Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI ter his ordination, on August 5, the feast alone. From the poor in evangelizing them. and sustain the missionary the present National Seminary Catholic children particularly of Our Lady of Snows, he visited the the spot where Only flowers, flowers of the Heavens 9 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, Bl. Joseph Vaz - His early - a model Evangelizer years and Ministry in India pril 21, 2013, marks the 361st Church of Our Lady of Snows in Sanoco- his knees touched the ground, two Birth Anniversary of Blessed ale. Here at the Altar he wrote his now springs of water emerged and these he Servant of God, Such was the scriptural inspira- spirit of today’s Church. Its in Ampitya in Joseph Vaz. Born in his mater- famous Letter of Bondage to Mother exist to this day, having never run dry. Thomas Benjamin tion he drew from the famous theology and missionary vi- 1955 with its nal home in Benaulim, South Mary offering himself as a Perpetual While Pope John Paul II was reading Cardinal Cooray missionary text of Luke 4:18-19 sion are becoming more and administration A Goa, he was baptised a week later at the Slave of Mother Mary and that she Twhose cause is now where Jesus claims to have more relevant and demanding and forma- Church of St. John the Baptist also in makes use of him as she desires. Having Joseph Vaz at the Galle Face Green in being prepared at the level of today when socio-cultural and tion curricula Benaulim. The Baptismal Font built in signed this Letter, he removed his shoes Colombo,the official these proclamation two springs of Blessed gushed the Archdiocese of Colombo prophesy of Isaiah which said: political-religious challenges being en- solicit granite is to be seen to this day. and left them beneath the Altar. From out water as a fountain and subsided was an Oblate of Mary Immacu- “Thecome spirit to fulfill of the the Lord 800-year is upon old seem to confront not only the trusted to the A day after his birth, his father Christo- then onwards till he died in Kandy he after about ten minutes. At that time late. As such, he belonged to me, to evangelize the poor he values enshrined in the Chris- Oblates. The pher Vaz having seen a bright star shin- never wore any footwear, traversing two Bishops and a number of priests the missionary congregation has sent me and ….to declare tian faith, but even all religions staff for this ing in the noonday sky wrote thus in his through hills slopes and jungles always were concelebrating Holy Mass in the that was founded by St. Eugène the Year of the Lord’ favour.” in principle. The two main overwhelm- diary. "This son of mine will one day be barefooted. Shrine and this event was witnessed de Mazenod, who himself was a We must not forget preoccupations and later com- ingly crucial great" and great he became. His entire As a young priest he was ap- by thousands of pilgrims who had missionary bishop. As founder, that Sri Lanka was considered mitments of Vatican II were and important in government schools. While pointed to a small parish in Goa and gathered here for the occasion. he dared to trust in divine in the 1940’s, and even now, Renewal and the Updating of institution was drawn from the was entrusted with the task of visiting he took care to keep some very and Blessed Joseph Vaz applied once as a missionary country and the Church. Archbishop Cooray best of professors and forma- good Catholic schools which yearslife of infifty India nine followed years could by the be remaining divided houses which he did every evening. Mission in Ceylon again to the acting Governor to enter batch of four French Oblates among missionaries were who actively took part both in tors from USA and Europe with had to be managed under much twenty-nineinto twos equal years parts. in Sri The Lanka. first thirtyWe shall One evening he encountered a heavy providence and send the first Like many saints in the history Ceylon by boat as a coolie. This was in 1847 to begin the oblate mis- Oblates from France, Holland, preparatory and in the 4-year the reins progressively being constraint, he opened a centre storm and took shelter in the verandah of the Church, Blessed Joseph Vaz's min- granted and the Lord opened the door sion in Sri Lanka as a result of Italy, Spain and United King- sessions of the Council together passed on to Sri Lankan Oblate for training religion teach- part-his life in India. of a nearby house. On seeing him the istry in Kanara ran into troubled waters. in 1682 for Blessed Joseph Vaz to enter Bishop Orazio Bettachini, the dom who continued to come to with the entire contingent of formators. The negotiations for ers in parishes and schools now reflectIn course on the ofhighlights time the ofVaz the family first inmates beckoned him to come in and then Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna, work here in schools, parishes the Sri Lankan Bishops ab- this venture had directly been His Superiors misunderstood him and Sri Lanka not onl at Tammita, which today has moved to the village of Sancoale from he reluctantly obliged. The storm con- became suspicious of his intentions. At who went all the way to Mar- and charitable institutions. sorbed well and clearly the vi- between Roman authorities in a broad-based spectrum of where the boy Joseph commenced his tinued and with nightfall, the inmates an almost extinct Catholicism but also this stage the Jesuit Fathers, with whom y to fan the flames of seilles to beg at his feet to ask To have elected Fr. Benjamin sion of Vatican II for the Church the Vatican and the Oblate Gen- educational activities as well. primary schooling. At school he was convinced him to stay over for the to "raise" it to unimaginable heights he was staying in Kanara, had seen him for urgent assistance to care for of the future. He saw how, the eral Administration. Structures All these show how sensitive he loved by both his teacher and school- night. The next morning before he left, within a period of twenty-nine years in Ecstasy, almost hanging in the air on the Church in Sri Lanka. the general missionary hopes centre of the Catholic Church of reform were later introduced has been to his pastoral duties mates alike. He would never hurt he inquired from the couple as to what and thereby lay a solid foundation for Cooray OMI reflects therefore several occasions while he was in deep Young Benjamin of the Church as such. It was was slowly shifting to the third- in 1972 with the seminary ad- of fostering faith and safe- anyone either by word or deed and thus they wished to have from him as he today's Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. prayer. This was reported to his supe- Cooray after having completed with this missionary zeal that world Christian countries and ministration vested in the local guarding Catholic life traditions grew up as a model student. From his was highly impressed by their hospi- On this his 361st birth Anni- his University degree joined he began to work in the diocese the minority Churches in the bishops’ conference. within his fold. early years he imbibed a great devotion tality. The couple replied that God had riors after which no action was taken versary, Catholics in Sri Lanka bow in this missionary congregation, now entrusted to him. It has non-Christian lands. Already Cardinal Cooray having to Mother Mary. He always wore the Ro- blessed them with almost everything against him. At about this time he came gratitude to this man of God, son of Goa been said that his elevation to during the Council, he had understood well the orienta- Authentic Evangelizer sary around his neck and would recite they needed but though married for to know of the plight of the Catholics in and Apostle of Sri Lanka and prayerfully He was then sent to Rome for the rank of Cardinal by Pope joined a group of Asian Bishops tions of Vatican II regarding the It has been accepted it on his way to and from school. Once ten years they had no children. Fr. Vaz Ceylon under the Dutch regime. His eye awaits the day when he will be raised to making his first vows in 1925. his priestly and missionary Paul VI in February 1965 was to discuss the possibility of a Church and the secular world even by the foreign press that back from school, unlike other children blessed them and assured them that now turned towards Ceylon - the land the Altar. training and after ordination in seen manifestly as a gesture of grouping of the Asian Bishops’ began the institute of SEDEC Cardinal Cooray maintained of his age, he would not head towards next year they would be blessed with of his dreams. With this end in view, he On behalf of the National 1929 returned to serve the ob- appreciation and recognition conferences for a more effec- for social animation and hu- excellent relations both with the playground. Instead, he would help a child. On this very day the following wished to study Tamil and this led him Joseph Vaz Secretariat, the writer has late vicariate in Sri Lanka: First of the pioneering missionary tive insertion of the Gospel in manitarian work. He opened an the State authorities and the his mother with her daily household year, the couple were blessed with a son to Tuticorin in the far South where he organised annual pilgrimages to Goa a teacher at St. Joseph’s College, work accomplished by the Ob- the Asian lands and for more institute for the media aposto- Buddhist Clergy and institu- chores such as marketing, cleaning whom they named Joseph. Ever since, mastered the Tamil Language. From during the past twenty-one years. then as warden of the Univer- lates in this country for more incisive efforts of evangeliza- late to integrate social com- tions and was very sensitive the house and fetching water for the Blessed Joseph Vaz has come to stay as then onwards he was waiting for an Among others the places visited include sity hostel for Catholic students than a century: its crowning tion. And so, the Federation munications to the apostolate to the causes of preserving household from a nearby spring which the patron of childless couples for many opportunity to "slip" into Ceylon. He Benaulim, Sancoale, Cortalim Church, and later as Superior of the of Asian Bishops (FABC) was of evangelization. He felt the interreligious harmony and exists to this day. The water from this are those who had recourse to him in requested many of his fellow priests to the spring, Blessed Joseph Vaz's room, Oblate Scholasticate where he Bishop Eugène de Mazenod, born. importance of a well-informed ethnic unity. One Sri Lanka spring is well known for it's curative prayer and were blessed with children. join him but none of them obliged as the the Oratory, Church of Our Lady of was responsible for nine long theglory. Oblate It is also founder, significant referred that to Asia is a continent and formed laity and raised the with a Sri Lankan identity for properties, especially for those suffering Blessed Joseph Vaz founded Dutch had issued an "Order" in Ceylon Snows, St. Francis Xavier's remains and years for the missionary train- Sri Lanka (Ceylon at that time) which is one-third of today’s all was ever his prayer and from various skin ailments. As a result the Oratorian Order in Goa and became that all Catholic priests should quit the the Mudippu Hill where stands today ing of young men who contem- as the most beautiful country humanity but paradoxically, right in the heart of the City of ideal for his motherland. He of helping his mother every evening, he Island under pain of death. As such he a beautiful Shrine dedicated to Blessed plated becoming Oblate (OMI) in the world and at the same it is a continent of manifest Colombogiant edifice at its of busiestPaul VI interseccentre - was looked upon as a personal- Oratorian Order supplied priests to Sri became isolated and decided to enter Joseph Vaz. priests. It was at this time, that time as the most beautiful and poverty though rich in ancient tion to house and co-ordinate it's first Superior. In course of time the ity of the highest integrity that his parish church in Cortalim for silent Lanka for nearly 130 years after the Ceylon all by himself. Hence he applied This year's pilgrimage is sched- he was nominated Coadjutor to promising mission that Oblates cultures and many of today’s all the lay apostolates of the prayer.could hardly find any time for visiting demise of Blessed Joseph Vaz. However, earned everyone’s respect. He to the Dutch Governor of Tuticorin to uled for mid August and readers are Archbishop Jean-Marie Masson had the privilege of serving. He living religious traditions such Archdiocese. One cannot forget In those days it was customary Divine Providence led him out of Goa was a person committed to enter Ceylon as a layman and this was most welcome to join same. OMI, consecrated in 1945 at in fact had dreamt of the entire as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam his sharing of the Canon Car- that all churches would shut their doors and he ministered to the faithful in peace, brotherhood, justice in immediately refused. That same night the age of 44 and later suc- island being evangelized and and many other indigenous din’s vision for the workers and with nightfall. However, young Joseph Kanara - present Mangalore and further all matters, spirituality and a this Governor died of a heart attack Roggy Corera ceeded him in 1947. He retired was every ready to send fresh ones. The Asians had to take the launching of the YCW also approached his parish priest and sought South in Kerala. In Mangalore, he ef- champion of non-violence. He in 1976 having shepherded supplies of missionaries, if this local situation in hand and in the heart of Colombo. He be- permission to have the church open for fected mass desired a Sri Lankan Church the Archdiocese for 30 long there was need. respond as modern missionar- lieved in integral formation and an extra hour or two. This was refused conversions that is truly close to the culture years and presided over the Sri Archbishop Cooray ies with modern approaches. the need for vocational training and faced with no other option, Joseph from among of the people, a religious com- Lankan Bishops’ Conference as without any doubt was led by And so eventually, after attend- of youth and thus began the would jump out of his room through the the Hindus and munity deeply adhering to its well. One could easily witness the Oblate charism of blazing ing many of FABC Plenaries and Radio Lab in Kotahena for the window while the entire Vaz household Muslims and At the foot of the Cross, the Rugged Cross religious and moral tenets and to his simple missionary zeal new trails in carrying forward Institutes beginning in 1972, was fast asleep and head towards the this prompted one through which the coun- Rushed I, O Lord Unknown to humans bequeath and love for the poor in all the the work of evangelization, not he was overjoyed in his retire- The centre of St. church in total darkness as there were them to plot try can be served. All these, as All the way to Calvary phases of his saintly life as a only within the Archdiocesan ment years to see the empha- Vincent’sbenefit of Home,poor youth. Maggona for no street lights at that time. There, he against him. Treading the path you had swayed through And a spring-breeze tenderness seminarian in Rome, a priest in boundaries, but he had even sis on dialogue as the most the rehabilitation of youth one can perceive, are values of would kneel on the steps leading to the One evening Carrying a Cross, a heavy Rugged Cross APervades divine ecstasy my soul fills my heart early ministry and later as the crossed borders reaching the effective and workable form and their vocational/spiritual the kingdom that the Church front door of the Church and pray in the at dusk, he Having heard sixth Archbishop of the See of remote areas of Anuradhapura, of evangelizing the cultures, formation was revamped and strives to build and diffuse in silence of the night. The huge doors of was led up the Manna that came from Heaven gave! Of the pardon you had granted a historical seat of Buddhism religions and the poor of Asia. entrusted to the care of the the interest of spreading the Mudippu hill RemindingLight I feel me of the fulfilment To the thief on to your right Cardinal. in Sri Lanka. Thanks to his It was a clear crowning of his Oblates. Its old boys are faring good news of the Gospel of open and a voice from behind would on the pretext The heaviness of the sin-ache Also nailed to his wooden cross Colombo and first Sri Lankan personal interest in this mis- initial dreams as a pioneering well in life today. A similar cen- Jesus Christ, which in simple beckonthis Church Joseph would to proceed miraculously to the beAltar, flung of a sick call Gone off my senses Forgiving his sins and awarding Missionary Zeal sion district, carved out of founder-member. tre of the Diyagala Boys Town words is evangelization. but obedient as he was to his parish in order to be Is it a trance? Nay, it’s real, indeed real! Paradise for his remorse Know I now As the Superior of the Jaffna and Trinco-Batticaloa run by the Christian brothers As a priest, bishop and priest he would refuse to walk in. As a killed. Sensing I too longed Where from the drop had come Oblate Scholasticate, he was dioceses and entrusted to the Post Independance Church continues its incomparable Cardinal, the servant of God result, it is said that two Angels would danger to his forming young men to become local oblates, it has grown to Within Sri Lanka itself, work. One of Cardinal’s main To gain in abundance That’s the last drop of Blood Thomas Cooray was not only carry him and leave him at the Altar life he knelt What my Lord had preserved oblate missionaries accord- he was engaged in leading a concerns was the spiritual Your love for me and pardon for my sins a loving and kind shepherd to rails from where he prayed into the on solid rock To cleanse me, ing to the mind and charism from the originally small rural post-Independence Church. development of the various wee hours of the morning after which and prayed to Knowing well much ahead of Bishop Eugène de Mazenod. Catholicbe a full-fledged communities, diocese like today that He had to contend with very categories of the faithful. The Not on the Cross, the Rugged Cross! authentic evangelizer and an would hurry back home and enter his God that he But, Alas! Only to find you That I too would That was his preoccupation. Retreat House of Tewatte, an the flock, but in many ways an room through the same window before be spared for Rush with remorse, tear-rolled remorse apostle of the Gospel. He can Am I late O Lord, While he himself lived an exem- with such care and has now rising Buddhist nationalism, ideal oasis for quiet, contem- the Vaz family rises up in the morning. his intended For His pardon graced in Love! truly be emulated with greater Or, am I condemned and prior destined? plary life as a missionary oblate blossomedof Kāgama whichinto a full-blownhe nursed thedifficult violent issues insurrection such as the of the plation and spiritual renewal Such was his piety at so tender an age. mission in Sri appreciation as we prepare Have I missed to be a Magdalene, in the community, he animated diocese since 1982. A third frustrated youth in 1971 and a next to the imposing Basilica The huge doors of this church are intact Lanka. Im- I now walk down Calvary, for the 25th anniversary of Or the thief you canonised in Calvary? the entire student body in bishop, an Oblate, is now its new political era that emerged that he completed, was begun to this day and have not been replaced mediately a Blessed and Resurrected his heavenly birth in Decem- Crumbled in desolation the way of the life-style of the chief shepherd. with the 1972 Constitution. to cater to this indispens- through the last three centuries. thunder bolt My heart and soul ber 2013. The Servant of God. I look up again and again, with hope Missionary Oblates. His talks, Besides, he began to see the able dimension of creating an struck the area Filled with Divine Love Cardinal Cooray is undoubtedly To the Cross, the empty Cross conferences were geared to Vatican II need of fostering an indigenous evangelized Church of priests, A Priest and his would Hoping to see my Risen Lord animate them in the pursuit of Archbishop Cooray clergy to care for the Church in religious and laity. A sad fall- a perfect missionary son of St. Hark! There I feel on my cheek Having fared well in his exami- be assassins Moistened with my tears so cold In glory, all glory the Oblate charism which is to attended all the sessions of these vitally changing socio- out of the schools take-over of Eugène de Mazenod, to whose nations, Joseph answered the Lord's A drop rolling down with warmth On the day of Easter, the Holy Easter! leave nothing undared to estab- Vatican II which was the major cultural and political scenarios. the mid-sixties was the threat missionary congregation he call and entered the Seminary and was in fright, leav- Permeating a fragrance, a celestial fragrance lish the Reign of Christ and to Catholic event in the last cen- A major event of priestly for- to Christian formation and lived faithful to the end. Tharcius S. Fernando ordained a priest. The very next day af- fleding him the allscene opt always to work for and with tury and continuing to inspire mation was the inauguration of religion-teaching affecting Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI ter his ordination, on August 5, the feast alone. From the poor in evangelizing them. and sustain the missionary the present National Seminary Catholic children particularly of Our Lady of Snows, he visited the the spot where Only flowers, flowers of the Heavens 10 The Messenger 21 April 2013 Friendship, the most desirable of all goods: on ‘Charity as Friendship’ A book by Rev. Fr. Ajith Wellington, OMI and Rev. Fr. Richard Wolak, OMI

nly a person who ers to become good friends could sustain and for their friends. His Reviewed by Prof. Anton Meemana Omaintain great friendship with Aristotle’s friendships could write led to a better friendships. When two becomes most promising, adequately about friend- understanding of God’s people become friends, most enriching, and most ship. This book is, to a friendship with us. God is there in the midst nourishing when it has no greater extent, a collab- You can befriend this of them, ever active and hidden agenda. The com- orative effort which is book and then it will also ever encouraging them. - born out of a friendship in befriend you in return and As Fr. Ajith discusses; ship happens when it is for philosophical apprentice- offer you continuous spiri- “Thus, there exists a itsplete own flourishing sake and ofnot friend for ship between Fr. Ajith tual nourishment. Reading friendship between God any utilitarian or calcula- Wellington, OMI and Fr. a book about friendship is and man, and this friend- tive purpose. Richard Wolak, OMI. A to form an intimate friend- ship is made possible by ship with that book. So this the initiative of God, the Richard Wolak has philo- book will make you a bet- superior one, to share his logically andIn Chapter philosophical five, Fr.- bookfriendship and in has reciprocity, finally and ter friend and train you to happiness with man, the ly accomplished a virtuoso thefilially book given has birth also furtherto this form better friendships. inferior partner. There- performance on the par- strengthened and cement- This highly nu- fore, St. Thomas is able to able of the Good Samaritan. ed that friendship. This is anced and technically His analysis sounds very an ample proof that true sophisticated study is and man there exists a practical simply because friendship bear fruits, typeaffirm of that friendship between because God it is philosophically and thirtyfold and sixtyfold main sections. they do have something in exegetically very solid and and a hundredfold. distributedIn Chapter amongst one, five common. This communica- deep. Real practically is A good philoso- tio removes the disparity never anti–intellectual. pher always makes distinc- animated by a rational us to God; the way to good that exists between God Theory is the highest form tions in order to clarify logicalFr. Ajith and reflects epistemological about soul which also contains God is in and through and man to same measure, of practice. This quite how certain insights are structurethe influence on St. of Thomas’Aristotle’s the faculties or the pow- good friends. When God and brings about some inadequate and mistaken arrived at. Understanding brilliant analysis of the ers of the sensitive and becomes one’s true friend, kind of similitude, and dichotomy between theory something coherently and human person as a ‘’ com- vegetative souls. Thus, one becomes a true friend thereby provides the nec- and practice is not a valid articulating it comprehen- pound whose substance is because the human being of everybody. One cannot essary foundation upon concept at all. One cannot sively is a hallmark of a both spiritual and corpo- is an “ embodied soul” or a be a good friend of God which the friendship be- be profoundly practical great philosophical spirit. real’’ (p.18) . “living body” (a body ani- and not befriend other hu- tween these two unlikely unless one tries to grasp This is very much needed To love one’s friends is to mated by a rational soul), man beings. partners is founded.” (p. things theoretically. Theory in the light of the contem- love oneself as another. passions are an integral Falling in love 137). means, more than anything porary Sri Lankan tenden- When you have become part of his nature, as they with God with all our Chapter four elab- else, proper understanding, cy to be opinionated about a better friend to your are of the nature of all heart, with all our soul, orates in the complexity of adequate understanding, anything and everything. friends, you will have animals. This is because with all our might, with all amicitia. objective understanding. Human beings ought to also encouraged them to of the body, the material our mind and with all our According to It also means a closest ap- become intelligent not gos- become better friends to component, which is the integrity is the ultimate Albert Einstein, there is proximation of truth. sipy or opinionated. their friends and therefore equipment for sensitive or only one ultimate question Theory also means objec- In trying to reach up to true friendships are conta- animal life. (pp.20-21). In loving God, we also to be asked; that is, ‘ Is the tivity to the best of human the mind of Saint Thomas gious. Life without friends In the same beginfulfillment to love of thosehuman whom life. universe a friendly place?’ intelligence and judgement. Aquinas, one also begins (could there really be such chapter, there is a dazzling God loves and without Everything else in life The most practical man is to understand oneself with a life?) is an empty life, and exposition on love as amor loving them the way God depends upon how we are the most theoretical man greater clarity. When Fr. aimless life and a useless and its multiple manifes- loves them, we cannot going to understand and and a deeply theoretical Ajith writes and teaches life. The quality of human tations. love God. answer that grand ques- man is also a profoundly about St. Thomas, he truly life is largely dependent “Love of friendship sees Let us listen to tion. Every question we practical man. A deeply becomes himself. Mak- upon the quality of our the other (the person our brilliant author again; ask is ultimately a question theoretical man is also a friendships. The one who loved) as another self. “Friendship, on the other about God. The ultimate theological man and that philosophical nuances, truly loves one’s friends St. Thomas states that hand, is only possible ground of all our ques- man par excellence in histo- Fr.ing Ajith some leads fine andus through refined truly loves oneself too. our love of friendship for with people similar to tioning is our innate and ry is Saint Thomas Aquinas. the thickets of Thomisian Instead of con- another is an extension ourselves and those to intrinsic yearning to know The ultimate theory is philosophical tapestry. trolling, dominating, of one’s love for oneself. whom we are bound by God. God wants us to ask theology and therefore the The best in manipulating and cajol- One’s love for oneself good will. St. Thomas, more and more questions, ultimate practice is also Thomism is best for all ing a friendship, you is absolutely basic and in the sed contra, quotes even about God Himself. theology. Christian praxis peoples regardless of their should humbly allow it to primary, and it can be the words of Jesus “I will “Benevolence is knowledge born out of religious background. guide you, deepen you, considered as the founda- not now call you servants deep contemplation and A retrieval of Thomistic enrich you, purify you and tion and archetype of all … but my friends ‘. The friendship. In fact, friend- deep contemplation is the empower you. Friendship friendly relations. The reason the Lord called isship the adds first something step towards to a ultimate Christian praxis. everybody – Catholics and is one’s true home. In and extension of one’s love his apostles “friends” is, one-sided love of benevo- We live as good as we think, nonheritage - Catholics is beneficial alike. for for oneself to the other according to St. Thomas, lence, a society of two in or better, as good as we Saint Thomas becomes natural and easy purely and simply his cari- their love. What becomes contemplate. enjoyed deep supernatural abode.through With friends, friends, one onefinds is when the other, con- tas. Thus caritas, as given evident in this whole Loving one’s pleasure in continuous atoneself, home onewith finds oneself one’s and real sidered as another self, by Jesus to his disciples, activity is that there can neighbour is to treat an- - when this happens, one possesses actually our proves to be friendship. be no friendship until and other as myself , that is, to ing and writing and shared also begins to live in God. same qualities and excel- (p. 110). unless the love of be- feel what another person withlearning, us the reflecting, fruits of teachhis In actual fact, God helps lences, for the love springs Chapter three discusses at nevolence is consciously deeply feels and to act intellectual labour. What- me to cultivate myself from the precise points length the concept of com- reciprocated by the other. meaningfully as if it is I my- ever is not shared is lost of agreement. The idea of municatio. Implicit in this discus- self who is suffering, who is forever. What he under- myself divinely and deeply. similitude is best un- A friend of God, sion is the fact that love of in agony ,who is in torment. stood contemplatively, he Onlyauthentically then could and I tobecome find a derstood in this context, although it is God who friendship that we extend Each one of us is called to lived out actively. Theory blessing to my friends. because friendship is not makes us his friends, to another anticipates and become a good Samaritan and practice were not two As he points out a one way thing, rather it is necessarily a friend seeks a reaction, namely, to the one who is beaten up, separate departments further; “The human being is mutual benevolence, or of everybody. Human to love with love of friend- left behind, marginalised in his life but they were is unique. because he does love of friendship recipro- love is not on the same ship is to will to be loved and abandoned, to be dear organically and coherently not belong to the world of cated.” (pp.37-38). level as Divine love but at with love of friendship. and near to the one who is blended and bonded. purely intellectual beings, Chapter two focuses on the same time, we can- Otherwise it remains in dire need. In his life time, nor does he belong to the different types of virtues not grasp something of love of benevolence and Real love is hard Saint Thomas formed deep world of purely material and their relation to love Divine love without an never friendship. So, the work, apparent Sisyphean and life-long friendships beings. He in fact, occu- as ‘caritas.’ experience of human friendship without any labour, and endless toil. (for instance, with Regi- pies the boundary be- Friendship is a re- friendships. God does not doubt implies reciprocity Loving requires the best in nald of Piperno, William of tween the purely intellec- bypass or shortcircuit of well-washings of two us, makes us magnanimous, Moerbeke,etc,) , befriend- tual and purely material, in our lives. Friendship is human relationships but subjects.” (p. 188). courageous and generous ed Aristotelian heritage, by the very fact that he theflection good on par how excellence God works works in and through Human life aims at wrote and encouraged oth- has a living body, a body that continues to connect them. God perfects human happiness and a friendship (Contd on pg. 14) 1311 The Messenger 21 April 2013 w Reactions to the Pontiff’s election by International Organisations and Governments Pope Francis before the world n the statements by - American Heads of State equality and brotherhood international organi- to send the new Pope on the basis of her actions Izations and Govern- “cordial congratulations in the world,” France “will ments around the world pursue her dialogue with following the election of Barack Obama the Church, with the same Pope Francis, among the describedfor the pontificate.” Pope Francis as most recurrent themes “a champion of the poor that she has always had.” are; dialogue, peace and and the most vulnerable confidenceFor in David the Holy Cam See- attention to the poor. among us. Those of us in eron, the British Prime Ban Ki-moon, the United States share Ministery “the election Secretary-General of the the joy of this historic of Pope Francis marks United Nations Organiza- day,” said the President of an important day for the tion, said: “I look forward the United States of Amer- I.2 billion Catholics in to continuing coopera- ica, according to whom his the world.” Then “warm tion between the United congratulations upon the Nations and the Holy See from the Americas also election of Pope Francis to under the wise leader- showsselection the as strength the first and pope succeed in the Apostolic ship” of Pope Francis. “In vitality of a region that is See” were expressed by the Americas Pope Fran- increasingly shaping our President Mariano Rajoy cis’s election has stirred world. “I look forward to of the Spanish Govern- whom you have chosen, service of China, described lization and the religious enthusiasm and hope, as working with His Holiness ment. Your Holiness, to inspire him as a “strong supporter denominations.” various leaders, have said. to advance peace, security Giorgio Napolita- you in taking on the new of assistance to the poor.” A public message Argentine President Cris- and dignity for our fellow no, President of the Italian President Vladimir Putin of congratulations to Pope tina Fernandez de Kirch- human beings, regardless Republic, wrote that the - of Russia sent a congratu- Francis was broadcast ner expressed her hope of of their faith,” Mr Obama Italian people share in sagePontificate.” sent to the Pope from latory telegram in which on March 14, by Shimon good results for “justice, said. the new Pope’s election the ItalianAn Prime official Minister mes he said he was convinced Peres, the Head of the equality, brotherhood and According to the “in a special way and on Mario Monti reads: “The that cooperation between State of Israel, in which he peace in the world.” German Chancellor An- their behalf, interpreting Italian people gather Russia and the Vatican mentioned that the new President Dilma gela Merkel many people the common, profound round you, your Holiness, would continue to develop Pope succeeds a Pontiff Rousseff of Brazil, whose expect Pope Francis to be sentiment, I address my welcoming you with affec- successfully and wished “who did much to develop country has the largest “not only a guide in mat- warmest and most sincere tion and joy, full of hope the Pontiff “fruitful activ- relations with us: These number of Catholics in ters of faith, but also with congratulations to you.” and trust.” Monti added: ity for strengthening relations are now at their the world, congratu- regard to peace, justice “The extraordinary moral “The Italians, linked to peace and for furthering best.” lated Pope Francis, the and the safeguard of cre- and cultural legacy of Ca- the Argentine people by a the dialogue between civi- (L’Osservatore Romano) Catholic Church and the ation.” tholicism,” the Head of the special history, recognize Argentine people. She President Fran- Italian State continued, “is themselves today in the highlighted the election of cois Hollande of France indissolubly interwoven name of their Patron, the stressed that the Church with our 2,000-year-old Saint of Assisi, united to Pope to whom Brazil stands before the impor- history and with the moral the whole world in the looksthe first forward Latin-American to offering tant mission of facing the values Italy recognizes as search for justice and hospitality for the World challenges of the world, its own. This shared spiri- peace.” Youth Day in July. Presi- adding: “Faithful to her tual wealth is intrinsic in In reporting the dent Raul Castro of Cuba history and to the univer- news of Pope Francis’ sal principles of freedom, of Assisi, Patron of Italy, election, Xinhua, the press the figure of St. Francis Matrimonial Data Banks at was, among the first Latin Deanery Level Example is better I am sure that thousands of parents across the country would raise both hands to endorse whole- A heartedly the suggestion made by Neomal Perera, that than precept Matrimonial Data Banks should be established in every Radom Deanery, in his letter ‘Towards curtailing mixed mar- crowd got in to the train. were talking to each other riages’ (Messenger 10th February) This is really a ‘Holy Reflection The crowd came rush- in the adjoining compart- Spirit inspired’ suggestion - the urgent need of the day. ing and we got trampled ment. Whenever I looked As Neomal Perera rightly points out, today’s he started talking freely and pushed a little. Then at them I noticed that they parents are really desperate with unmarried children and began to criticise the my neighbour had no were looking at me and at home. So as he says they get married to ‘who ever riticism is the subject present government and patience and told me “See the moment their eyes comes on their way, any race any religion. Thereafter Cof most conversa- politicians. Although I how this crowd is behav- met mine they stopped a few months or years later ‘separation’ comes along. tions when people meet had a principle of just not ing? They have no sense of talking. I presumed that This often happens in mixed marriages because there and talk or discuss in the criticising others, I was manners or etiquette to- the station master was is no ‘turning to God Almighty’ by both husband and market place, in buses and patiently listening to him wards others” and started telling his friend about wife when problems prop-up. trains, at home, on the with an occasional ‘Yes’ criticising the present so- me. Within minutes the Neomal is correct when he says that both road or in public places. or ‘No’ as he was after all ciety. Quickly I reminded station master called me the ‘demand’ and the ‘supply’ are available, but that Some people enjoy criti- a stranger to me. After him that we should simply and asked me to take his there is no ‘avenue’ for them to meet. So the Church cising others. This chronic some time I had to tell him stop criticisng others, and seat. I refused as both of could step in and make available the ‘avenue’ as one problem in society is gen- that it is useless trying to try to set a good example us were standing through- of its services to the laity to safeguard their faith. This erally taken for granted. criticise others as there so that people seeing us out the journey and I was service could be an extension of the services already Once I was is always something bad will learn from us and surprised as to why he rendered through the Family Services arm of the travelling by train to the in any ruling government imitate us. The station offered me the seat, which Church. There are counselling services for couples Peradeniya University to and politician. It is better master stopped talking he himself had got after already functioning. There should also be a service to give a lecture and got in to that as individuals each of and was looking at me standing for so long. The help form Catholic couples. a semi express train from us try to correct ourselves in a strange manner. We station master insisted There are hundreds of middle and lower Ragama. Due to some ac- thereby setting a good reached Kdugannawa that I should sit and I was income group parents who cannot afford ‘matrimonial tivitiy upcountry that day example to others which when a seat fell vacant more or less compelled to advertisements’ and also regular long distance travel. I could not get a seat even will gradually correct the close to my neighbour’s do so. They are all in search of ‘partners’ closer home, for in the second class. A gen- society. friend, who was seated Lesson: It did not convenience of regular contact. tleman who got in at the During the in the adjoining compart- take much time for the I pray and hope that both the hierarchy and Veyangoda Station came conversation I came to ment. His friend called station master to realise the clergy would give this ‘Spirit inspired’ suggestion and stood very close to know that he was a sta- him and offered him the that good example is bet- their urgent attention realising the gravity of the prob- me. Since I did not know tion master. He had by vacant seat. The station ter than precept and that lem faced by desperate parents with aging children at him we did not speak to now stopped his criticism master smiled at me and we can never correct the each other but before ar- and was quiet for a while. went and sat in the next society by just criticising them. It will also as Neomal points out, curtail mixed riving at Polgahawela we He also had a friend who compartment. The train them and that one should marriageshome and whichand even would separation definitely and be help a great form boon good to happened to start talking was seated in the next started to move again. Oc- set an example instead of Catholic families who would be ever grateful to the and the moment he knew compartment. We reached casionally I took a glance just preaching. Church for their union. that I was a good listener Polgahawela and a big at the two friends who Damascene Abeysekera Stanley Perera 1412 The Messenger 21 April 2013 The word ‘spirit’ has different meanings A text in Acts 8: as implied in the scrip- The Spirit Comes 14spiritual speaks benefit. of Baptism of tures. In the Greek and the Spirit: “Now when Hebrew languages which man soul is that the sinful and told “Eldad and the Apostles in Jerusalem are relevant to scripture, Medad are prophesising heard that the Samaritans this word primarily means with God and will not re- in the camp.” This story of had accepted the word ‘breath’ or ‘wind’. The turnsoul willto God. not Tofind lose favour God at Eldad and Medad teaches of God, they sent Peter English term ‘Spirit’ es- death is damnation. (Matt us that the Spirit acts in and John to them. They sentially refers to God as a 10, 28) various ways and also went down and prayed superhuman incorporeal The existence of shows that Gods sends for them that they might being and also to the Holy the Spirit of God is known his Spirit but not always receive the Holy Spirit, for Spirit who functions as from Scriptures through- he had not as yet come the Spirit of God. It also out the Bible. Genesis 1: The power of the down upon any of them means a person’s disposi- 1-2 tells us: “In the begin- Holythrough Spirit official can be channels. seen since they had only been tion towards his faith. ning, when God began to from several instances of Baptized in the name of The spirit of a create the heavens and his descent mentioned in the Lord Jesus. So Peter human is his soul. Differ- the earth, the earth had the Scriptures. His descent and John laid their hands ent from animals, who no form and was void; on the Apostles made a on them and they received have no soul, the human darkness was over the great spiritual impact on the Holy Spirit.” Baptism soul receives something of deep and the Spirit of God them. It cleansed them of water is the renewal the Spirit or the breath of hovered over the waters.” of sin and inspired them of the individual through God. Scripture says: “Then To believe in the Spirit of with courage. As coura- faith, while the laying Yahweh God formed Man, God is to believe that in and spoke to him. He took an irritable power. By the geous men, they were able of hands expresses the dust drawn from the clay, God there is a third person some of the Spirit that was way the prophets acted, to accomplish their apos- transmission of the Spirit and breathed into his nos- called the Holy Spirit who upon him and put it on the the Israelites came to tolic mission of preaching in an uninterrupted way, trils a breath of life and proceeds from God and seventy elders. Now when understand that God com- the Gospel of Jesus to all beginning with those who Man became alive with his Son and possesses the the Spirit rested upon municated his Spirit like a nations. In doing so, they received it at Pentecost. breath.” (Gen 2:7) same Divine nature and them, they prophesised. violent and sudden wind. met with strong opposi- The Spirit whom The human soul substance with them. But this they did not do In the same chap- tion and even faced death we receive helps us to consists of both the hu- An instance of the ter verses 26-27 read: as martyrs. worship God in truth. man spirit and the spirit work of the Spirit of God ness that the Israelites “Two men had remained “No one can enter Our prayers would mean of God as breath and does can be seen from a text in hadagain.” of theThe Spirit first aware-of God in the camp; the name of Heaven unless he is led by nothing if not motivated not die with the death the Book of Numbers 11, came to them through the one was Eldad, the name the Holy Spirit.” 1 Cor 6:11 by simplicity, truthfulness of the body. Scripture 24-25: “Moses then went deeds of the prophets. of the other Medad. How- reads: “But you have been and purity of Spirit. The out and told the people The prophets ever, the Spirit came on cleansed and consecrated Spirit of God cannot be returns to the earth from what Yahweh had said. He were those persons who them for they were among to God and have been communicated except to whichaffirms: it “beforecame and the the dust assembled seventy men knew something of God’s those who were registered set right with God by the those who seek the truth Spirit returns to God who from among the elders secrets, with whom God through they had not gone Name of Lord Jesus and and live according to truth gave it.” (Ecl 12:7). The and placed them round had shared some of His out to the Tent. As they the Spirit of our God.” The in a sinful and corrupt New Testament teaching about the Tent. Yahweh wisdom, and who on cer- prophesised inside the Holy Spirit can be invoked world. on the destiny of the hu- came down in the cloud tain occasions possessed camp, a young man ran by prayer for our own E.M. Aldons Compassion - gift and call of the woman This vocation to her gifts, can be a special the suffering easier; in May Jesus be seen through Me love is inseparable from “witness” to this virtue, “The woman‛s vo- most cases, We are not helping men to develop cation to an inti- able to do that. Compas- What made the disciples leave their nets? woman: A sensitivity for compassion within them- mate and deeply sion is a “suffering with” What made Zacchaeus leave all his wealth? theanother suffering specific of others, gift of the selves. This is one of the the one who suffers. What made humble herself and a willingness to join ways that the complemen- personal love goes What a consolation, when along with her at His feet? in that suffering. In his tarity between male and someone in the dark What made the Rich Young Man disturbed encyclical on suffering, female becomes fruitful. loneliness of suffering ability to be in inwardly? called Salvi�ici dolores, Suffering is a this deeply con- John Paul II included a great mystery - we could that dark place a sensitive What made Matthew leave all the money he major section on the call say that in a way it is the soling way with heartsuddenly - a heart finds thatwith is him hurt- in had collected? for compassion in the face greatest puzzle of hu- and for the one ing because he is hurting, What made the cripple walk? of suffering. He is clear man life. It has no natural who suffers” and suffering with him, What made the blind see? that every single person resolution, and is in itself Out of love! As Mother What ? What ?? What ??? whether man or woman unbearable. But there is because of suffering. A Teresa said, ‘suffering is - has a solemn obligation a kind of solution to the new intensity of love unbearable only when one Nothing else but, to live compassion. But mystery, insofar some- comes into being, which suffers alone.’ His gentle voice the woman, in virtue of thing wonderful happens changes suffering, if not The woman’s vo- His loving gaze taking it away, surround- cation to an intimate and His loving touch ing it with its opposite: deeply personal love goes Which changed everything. Friendship, the most ..... a deep consolation and along with her ability to (Contd from Pg.10) even happiness. John Paul be in this deeply consoling So then, what made me like the good Samaritan. To love is to risk, to love deeply II writes, “ ... We could way with and for the one What I am is to risk more courageously and therefore only the brave say that suffering, which who suffers. Nothing else but His precious blood can love. is present under so many In her receptiv- Shed for me on Mount Calvary. ity of the other, in her Love is an ongoing decision, a decision that different forms in our hu- Thats where I received life man world, is also present great sensitivity of heart, requires continuous renewal and resolution, followed by Thats where I began my life. commitment. Love dispels hatred, prejudice and darkness in order to unleash love the woman is able to be and compels and propels us towards meaningful action in the human person, that a witness to the need for Receiving such life in abundance for the orphan, the marginalised, the widow, the prisoner, courage in remaining What should my response be? vulnerable to the pain of the stranger and the beggar. behalf of other people, es- There’s nothing to think TWICE peciallyunselfish those gift of who one’s suffer.” ‘I’ on another; she is a witness One can draw much inspiration from the I’m called to, grand themes evoked in this admirable study. Here one To be compas- sionate does not simply in taking on another’s “Love OTHERS as He Loved Me” strengthened with the help of another insight. Indeed, mean to do something wounds.to the call for selflessness I’m called to be another Jesus. theinsight complexity has been of clarified, friendship amplified, requires magnified a sophisticated and that takes away or makes (Courtesy: CTS Publications) mode of thinking and understanding and the book has Let my kind words done precisely that. Let my loving touch Reading a good book is a great service to Let my listening ear humanity and there is no substitute whatsoever for Faith Let my forgivng heart the habit of reading. Reading is a form of therapeutic Faith is a gift of light Reveal Jesus Through Me to all activity. It is the spiritually healthiest food for the hu- And it makes our crosses light man soul. A nation that does not read good books is a nation that has no soul, no authenticity, no depth and In darkness too it is our light Sr. M. Riana A.C no substance; it is a lost and loose nation. Thank God for the gift of light Is this not the contemporary predicament in He will make us radiate His light Sri Lanka? Emilda Douglas 1513 The Messenger 21 April 2013 What it says ..... in the Readings FOURTH Sunday of Easter

First Reading: I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord; I Acts: 13: 14, 43-52 Taking over the mission from the Lord, Paul know my own sheep and my own know me. and preach to the Jews. The leaders reject (Jn. 10:14) them but they go out to preach to the Gentiles. They are highly taken up by the Gentiles but the Jews incite them to drive the Apostles out. Liturgical Calendar Year C 21st April - 28th April 2013 Second Reading: Rev. 7:9. 14-17 Sun: Fourth Sunday of Easter St. John in his vision sees the crowd before the World Day of Prayer for Vocations Lord’s throne. They are washed clean by the blood of Ac 13:14, 43-52; Rev. 7:9, 14b-17; the Lamb, and are saved by God. They will not suffer for; Jn. 10: 27-30 God will look after them. Mon: Ac 11: 1-18; Jn. 10:1-10 shelter them with presence, they shall hunger no more Tue: Ac 11:19-26;Jn. 10:22-30 Gospel: Jn:10: 27-30 neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, Jesus assures His followers of His care, concern Wed: Memorial of St. Fidelis of nor any scorching heat, for the lamb in the midst of the and protection for them. In the story the Lord is the Sigmaringen, Priest & Martyr throne will be their Shepherd, and he will guide them to Shepherd and His followers are the sheep. The sheep Ac 12:24-14:5a; Jn. 12:44-50 springs of living water; and God will wipe away every know and follow Him; the Lord in return protects them Thu: Feast of St. Mark Evangelist tear from their eyes.” Therefore let us take up His mis- and gives them eternal life. 1 Pt. 5:5-14; Mk. 16:15-20 sion with all faithfulness and follow Him to the presence Fri: Ac 13:26-33; Jn. 14:1-6 of the Father. Sat: Ac 13:44-52; Jn. 14:7-14 Reflection. The Risen Lord who gave His Apostles the mis- Sun: Fifth Sunday of Easter Aid Story. sion to spread the Good News to the nations; today National Laity Sunday Jerusalem, Jerusalem………. How often would I assures them His care and protection. This care and Ac 14:21b-27; Rev. 21:1-5a; gather thy children together, as a hen gathers her young protection is extended not only for this world but even Jn. 13:31-35 under her wings, but thou wouldst not! for life after. What we need is to faithfully follow Him. Mathew 23:37. To those who are faithful and who follow Him, Christ - Prayer of the Faithful promises eternal life and protection also. He will never en will see the beauty and appropriateness of Christ’s leave them. This is the message that the Lord gives to us comparison. Anyone Here who is a has hen ever with observed twenty chickens.a flock of chickThere Response: Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd there is through the Readings. - nothing I shall want. Like the two Apostles in the First Reading we are called to spread the Good News with courage and To Christ our Good Shepherd: That He may comesare several upon othersa juicy withworm twelve in her or scratching fifteen apiece. she gives Tire it also bravely. This Good News is not only for the Jews touch our hearts of stone and change them into tolessly the littlethe hen ones. seeks In caring food forfor them,her little she flock, seems when to forget she but even to the Gentiles. Though the Apostles were per- herself. She knows the moment when they are tired, and secuted for spreading the Good News they did not give loves. Let us pray to the Lord. then she seeks a corner or a patch of shade, out of the hearts of flesh and blood, capable of loving as He up their mission but went to another area to preach and Response: Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd there is wind and the sun, and settles down, spreading out their nothing I shall want. wings. One after another the chicks creeps in under to what the Risen Lord wants them to do and this is what nestle. The cluck of the mother and the cheeps of the For all those in positions of authority, and thethey Risen were Lord filled expects both with of usjoy too. and with the Spirit. This is babes make a domestic symphony. especially for doctors and nurses: That the Lord To the faithful and to those who follow Him He promises numerous gifts. To those who remain faith- work for the good of all people, but especially the concern to that of a mother hen. It is for us to stay close ful He promises full protection, guidance and eternal weakmay fill and them the wounded.with a strong Let us and pray unselfish to the Lord. love to to that care.Christ compared His loving care, His selfless life. Regarding this He states in the Gospel; “I give them Response: Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd there is Rev. Fr. Ciswan De Croos eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall nothing I shall want. snatch them out of my hand.” He also promises God’s That each of us, wherever we are and no Sunday Rhythm - matter what our state in life, may strive to be peo- show this when he says, “My Father, who has given them ple who love and care for others. toprotection me, is greater as flowing than all, from and the no same one is faithfulness. able to snatch He Fourth Sunday of Easter Let us pray to the Lord. them out of the Father’s hand.” This is the greatest re- Response: Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd there is ward which every human being should long for. It will Jesus: “The sheep, listen to my voice…” nothing I shall want. be ours if we are faithful to the Lord and follow Him in Jesus: “I know them...” word and in deed. For sixteen newly ordained priests and for Those rewards are not limited to this world. Jesus: “...they follow me.” many more vocations in the vineyard of the Lord; They even extend to life after. That is what John sees in Jesus: “I give them eternal life.” that Christ the Good Shepherd may guide them and open new avenues for the greater Kingdom of God. the vision. A great multitude, standing before the throne Jesus: “they will never be lost.” and before the Lord. They are washed clean in the blood Let us pray to the Lord. Jesus: “…no one will ever steal them from me.” Response: Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd there is of the Lamb. They are blessed with the presence of God. Of them John says “He who sits upon the throne will nothing I shall want. Richest Blessing: The Father who gave them to me is greater than any Feast of St. Mark - April 25 bas also to separate himself from Paul. Paul went on one…. his way, while Barnabas and Mark once more went to It is gener- Cyprus. But soon after Mark and Paul resolved their Richest Result: The Father and I are ONE ally agreed that the differences and became friends again. Around 60, Mark Mark mentioned in was in Rome with the great apostle, preparing to return TO THINK: Do you feel that you are the Acts of the Apos- to the Churches of Asia Minor, where he had become special before God…? or tles is identical with well known in the interim through his own apostolic Do you value your life in the Mark referred to labours. It appears that he also evangelized the region order to remain in God’s by St. Peter in his of Aquileia at the northern extremity of the Adriatic bosom and to continue His mission …? by St. Paul in Colos- Attila's approach and founded the famous lagoon city siansfirst Epistle4:10, 2 Timothy 5:3 and ofwhence Venice. the Mark inhabitants is considered fled some a great 400 Patron years Saint later ofat TO PRAY: Dear God of Trinity, 4:11 and Philemon the city, his body having been stolen from Alexandria, strengthen me to listen to 24. He was the son Egypt, by Venetian soldiers in 815; and in Venice it has you attentively, to know of Mary, a promi- You well and to follow nent member of the Basilica named after him. You closely. Amen. Christian community rested everMark since seems under to thehave high gone altar to Egyptof the magnificentfrom Aquil- at Jerusalem an old eia and there founded the See of Alexandria. In 61 Paul TO ACT: Let us make sure that we friend of St. Peter's, wrote to Timothy at Ephesus, asking him to bring Mark will remain in His work in whose house the brethren accustomed would assem- with him to Rome, and it was while Mark was in the Eter- and let us be cautious of nal City that he wrote his vivid Gospel account which is a not being lost from God’s - faithful record of the oral teaching of St. Peter, for whom ostolicble. We journey first hear to of Cyprus. Mark whenHere MarkPaul Barnabas separated take himself him he seems to have acted as secretary and interpreter. An lead everybody to the Pen fromalong Paulto Antioch and Barnabas in the year and 46 returned and then to on Jerusalem the first apon ancient tradition claims that this second Gospel was, at offlock. God’s With Salvation. His help, let us account of certain disagreements. the request of the Roman Christians, originally written . Paul refused to have Mark as his companion in Greek. St. Mark is Patron of notaries and is invoked Rev. Fr. S. Randil Fernando OMI on his second missionary journey. This caused Barna- against lightning and hail.

XVII The Messenger April 21, 2013 nities for new efforts to communicate the Gospel-even the Holy Father has a Twitter account. Do a browser search for Jesus Christ, and within one second you will Use your time wisely! Freedom in The revolution is not without its challenges and find 209,000,000 pages dedicated to him. risks, For example, not everything on the Internet is of and perhaps never will me the assurance of it. equal quality. Much of the content is not well thought arrive. It does not depend Why has time out or in accord with the Gospels, Therefore, it is critical everyday life to discern the value and importance of the written word on me; I cannot count on been given to me? So that as a stable reference point to help us sift through the it; and the most power- by it I may merit a happy Internet and social media. ful monarch in the world eternity. I shall live forev- Another problem is that not everyone has equal cannot make sure of one er: Faith teaches me this; access to the technology. In Cuba, high-speed Internet is single instant of life. my reason even assures not easily available to ordinary people. Without access No one is igno- me of another life. The to this digital revolution, whole cultures can be left be- rant of these two simple desire of immortality is hind. truths, but very few draw implanted in the depths of The instant nature of this communication poses a different kind of challenge. People often publish books, from them the conclu- my heart, and this desire, sions they ought to draw. which God Himself has tion and editing. This is particularly harmful because It is true and cer- planted there, can never be readersarticles, andcontinue blogs towithout think takingthat if timeinformation for critical has reflec- been tain that I have only the frustrated on its object. present moment, which I am, then, born cannot be divided, which for eternity, but this eter- statedpublished, as unquestioned it must be true. truth-and But without malicious sufficient falsehoods pre- canpublication be published. verification, incorrect information can be nity will be happy or thought, and which is wretched according to the nothing can fix, not even Guiding Principles for Evangelisation passing away with a ra- use I make of time. If I sin- As disciples of Jesus Christ, who came to preach "The present moment, or this pidity that nothing can cerely repent of the bad the Good News to the poor, do we see this paradigm actual existence from whom do equal. use of time I have made in shift in communication and technology as an opportu- For years they had been master and slave, ords are important. They are the building The written Word was received by the commu- The present mo- the past, if I am beginning nity to be grasped or a danger to be criticised and con- I hold it? From God. It is He who but later the slave was emancipated. Some years blocks of human relationships. Human be- nity after years of listening, living, praying, and discuss- demned? ment, or this actual ex- to make a good use of it, ings use words to communicate their very called me from nothing into being. after the emancipation of the slave, the master met W The printing press was initially criticised, yet it istence from whom do I if I persevere in this good selves. Words open us to the mystery of other peo- relationship with the living God, and it became a stable him by chance. Looking at the rags he was wearing made the Word of God accessible to a far wider audi- It is He who has preserved my hold it? From God. It is use until the moment ple, breaking through human isolation and enabling referenceing. It reflected point in the this community's communication. understanding This was espe- of its and the shack in which he lived, the master asked his ence. existence from one instant to He who called me from comes when time shall community. Words are like stones or bricks. At their cially important as historical and cultural situations earlier slave, "How is your situation now? Didn't you Can we do most positive, words construct the foundations for evolved-the printed Word could be kept, protected, another, and who is preserving nothing into being. It is cease for me, I shall be have enough to eat and a decent place to live in when the same human community and friendship. Words build up, prayed, repeated faithfully, critically analyzed, and eval- He who has preserved eternally happy. If I have with this new it at this present moment" you were in my service? Did you have any lack of affirm the good, challenge to conversion, and call us uated. The people of God were to “remember” and be my existence from one made a bad use of time, technology, anything at that time?" The erstwhile slave replied, to be authentic, loving, life-giving people. faithful while God continued to communicate with and which confus- instant to another, and and since neither the past "It is true that when I was your slave I had enough accompany them. my past existence, is no Who is preserving it at or the future is in my own to eat, and good clothes to wear and a good place to But just like stones and bricks, words can also es and even The greater number of longer anything, as far as this present moment. Will power, it is quite true to stay. But now I don't have enough food; I don't have be used as weapons that wound, tear down, and destroy. Communication f r i g h t e n s mankind employ their They can provoke hatred and discrimination, spread some of us? I am concerned; I can nei- He preserve it for me in say that my eternity de- enough clothes; and since I don't have a permanent Initially, most people could not read or write. time badly; many other gossip, and declare war. As the written word developed, its place in society grad- I believe we I cant' even feed my children properly. When it are perfectly embarrassed ther recall it nor change the moment that shall im- pends always on the pres- Words matter. A speech by Hitler provoked ually grew more important. But books were written and can; in fact, I rains, the roof of my shack leaks and there is water by their time and do not anything in it. The time to mediately follow this one? ent moment. people to participate in acts of unspeakable horror. A copied by hand, and parchment and paper were expen- am convinced know how to employ it. come, or my future exis- I do not know; and noth- sermon by Pope John XXIII encouraged people to act sive. Only the privileged few were able to conserve cop- we must. As the earlier slave was enumerating his Here tence, has not yet arrived, ing in the world can give Courtesy- "fidelity" with incredible generosity. Saint ies of the written word. Their sole object is to frit- woes,on the thefloor." master interrupted him, "Why don't you wrote that God became human to converse with us like are three This changed dramatically with the develop- ter it away, to pass it agree- then once again become my slave?" With a smile on a friend. guiding prin- ment of the printing press. Mass production of books, ably to themselves, or at his face, the earlier slave replied, "No, please. Even Saint begins his Gospel ciples for us- least without feeling them- though I do not have enough food and clothes, I am with "In the beginning was the Word." The Book of munication, in the process of education, and even in the ing technology to evangelise effectively: selves wearied and bored. The Healer free. It is this freedom that is most important to me. Genesis emphasises the creative power of the Word of methodsleaflets, andof evangelisation: newspapers caused Ordinary a revolution people could in com-now First, at least for now, this type of communica- Do they succeed God as God speaks and Creation comes to be. God spoke get a copy of the Bible. tion and information technology cannot completely re- It was he who created humankind in the begin- in this? No. Experience through prophets and proverbs, chroniclers and kings Today, We are living through another period of place the printed word. Access is not yet universal, and I have changed my life pattern for you! ning, and he left them in the power of their own to the people of Israel. And the New Testament opens communication evolution that could have a great impact we are still learning how to use it. Printed Bibles, prayer teaches us that those free choice (Sir. 15:14) on society and on our task of sharing the Good News of books, theology texts, and other books, magazines, and people who are greedy I have denied 'everything' I liked... God created man free in the paradise. Man among us, revealing our human and Divine Saviour. Jesus Christ. bulletins will continue to serve an essential role in our for pleasure are soon sa- was given full freedom for everything. He lived freely with the Word of God becoming flesh and dwelling Because of 'your faithfulness'. 'And the Word became For some, this age of computers, blogs, Wikipe- ongoing faith formation, our lives of prayerful union tiated with it, and that even amidst the birds and animals of the place. But dia, Google, and e-books represents a new and unfamil- with God, and the work of evangelisation. disgust, weariness, and soon he lost his sense of responsibility and obedi- flesh and made His dwelling among us' iar world and is a source of anxiety. We are experiencing Second, remember that the means of commu- idleness soon render ence and plunged headlong into disobedience, be- The most important word in God's communi- a revolution even greater than the one instigated by the Yes, I need to see things from 'your eyes' nication should not affect quality of content. The writ- them unbearable, even coming slaves to sin. Then they lost their paradise. cation with humanity is a person: Jesus Christ. In and printing press. This revolution will ultimately change through Him, the blessed Trinity is revealed God's very to themselves. But unfor- Yes, I want to love the poor, powerless and Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom our way of relating to society. When well-written blogs are creative, spontaneous, self. This Word is living, active, and present among us tunately, when they have (2 Cor 3:17) They did not understand this. Information can be shard almost simultaneous- informative,ten word still and requires helpful, critical they invitereflection us into and a dialogue.world of hated from 'your Heart' today and every day. Jesus and His message are the con- acquired this experience, Freedom consists of not dening the oppor- ly, without paper and practically without cost. Millions experience often unmarked by the interpretation and tent of our evangelisation as Christ communicates God's of people have access to this new technology. Publishing it is very rarely that they tunity to exercise our freewill. The highest freedom life, love, and redemption. is shifting from words on paper to words on computer, entails in loving one's neighbour as he loves himself, The New Testament developed out of the oral Gratitude brings Blessings It is people who live according to the will of God that phones, tablets, and other instruments not yet con- reflection of others. That is the nature of blogs and one its are formed; it would tradition of the early Christian communities. This tradi- ceived. profit by it: The bad hab- It is always possible ence.reason they appeal to us. But they alone are not suffi- cost too much to adopt tion was founded on the life and preaching of Jesus and needs and desires is sin. The world may be full of enriched by the experience and wisdom of the evange- cient. Many The blogs third areprinciple undigested is our reflections commitment on experi- to the good ones. They continue To thank for all the Blessings... Advantages and Risks vices.experience But if realwe arefreedom. virtuous, Harming we are others free before for selfish God. lists, apostles, and community. But it's important to re- to live as they have lived, This new world of universal access to informa- You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; although they no longer 'Tis Gratitude becomes "My Habit" tion and communication has obvious advantages. In only do not use your freedom as an opportuni- the Word we long to communicate to others. GoodWord Newsmade flesh. for men How and does women our communication living today? Values in an member that Jesus Christ is the definitive Word of God- Africa, small rural classrooms can be connected to vast andelectronic unchanging age reflect principles Jesus are Christ universal. and His It gospelis always as ty for self-indulgence, but through love become libraries and educational resources. In isolated villages the hope of happiness 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word important to measure the content of our communica- flatter themselves with Every breath I breathe is fi lled slaves to one another (Gal 5:13) was with God, and the Word was God' in Burkina Faso and in regions with no other reliable tion in the light of the Gospel and the message of Jesus Mahatma Gandhi discovered a new and hu- John 1:1 form of communication, cell phones are used not only Christ. pected. Woe to those who with thankfulness when I realise, mane way for liberating a people that had been sub- for telephone calls, but also for news bulletins. In Viet- they once confidently ex- Like Mary in Luke’s Gospel, we must learn to abuse and misuse their jugated to tyranny and exploitation. Using 'ahimsa' nam, people now have access to newscasts and different Jesus Christ who Blesses me treasure the Good News and carefully ponder it in our time! One day they will re- he put his method into practice with diligence and world views that offer possibilities beyond the ideology hearts. Written words invite readers into a dialogue gret having acted so, but Is "The Giver" and "the Healer" for my life. approved by a repressive government. vigour. In today's world we see all kinds of evil like that takes time to process. When the written word is then their regrets will be With an iPad or e-book, it is possible to create violence, greed for power and immorality. But Gan- in vain. dhi through his 'ahimsa' exhibited a greater moral and use a library at a fraction of the cost and with great- ence point for subsequent generations seeking the right Sr.A.Christina Lourdes (HF) power than all these iniquities. He was able to pres- er access than past generations ever dreamed. Today’s path.shaped by serious reflection, it becomes a stable refer- youth are as comfortable getting news on their phones Our use of time will ent his principles by living it. In his case, precepts or through social networking as other generations were determine our eternity and practices went hand in hand. He was able to sow Importance of the Written Word cation is that it enables us to invite others into the same listening to the radio or reading the morning newspa- One great benefit of contemporary communi- the seeds of morality among the people through the God's people have a long tradition of listening process of pondering and gratitude. When technology is per. Readers can engage in dialogues and respond im- What is time, example of his own life. Gandhiji rightly said, "My life to and proclaiming God's Word. Believers in Jesus Christ used well and guided wisely, it can be a powerful instru- mediately to the information they receive. ment, effective in engaging and sharing in evangelisa- with regard to myself? It is my message." stem from a strong oral tradition-God communicated Many young men and women communicate tion. is my present and actual through prophets and religious leaders many years be- regularly with peers crossing geographical, cultural, and Courtesy- Vachanolsavam fore the Word of God was written. even language frontiers. This offers enormous opportu- Courtesy- Liguorian existence. Past time, or XVIII The Messenger April 21, 2013 nities for new efforts to communicate the gospel-even the Holy Father has a Twitter account. Do a browser search for Jesus Christ, and within one second you will Use your time wisely! Freedom in The revolution is not without its challenges and find 209,000,000 pages dedicated to him. risks, For example, not everything on the Internet is of and perhaps never will me the assurance of it. equal quality. Much of the content is not well thought arrive. It does not depend Why has time out or in accord with the gospels, Therefore, it is critical everyday life to discern the value and importance of the written word on me; I cannot count on been given to me? So that as a stable reference point to help us sift through the it; and the most power- by it I may merit a happy Internet and social media. ful monarch in the world eternity. I shall live forev- Another problem is that not everyone has equal cannot make sure of one er: Faith teaches me this; access to the technology. In Cuba, high-speed Internet is single instant of life. my reason even assures not easily available to ordinary people. Without access No one is igno- me of another life. The to this digital revolution, whole cultures can be left be- rant of these two simple desire of immortality is hind. truths, but very few draw implanted in the depths of The instant nature of this communication poses a different kind of challenge. People often publish books, from them the conclu- my heart, and this desire, - sions they ought to draw. which God Himself has tion and editing. This is particularly harmful because It is true and cer- planted there, can never be readersarticles, andcontinue blogs towithout think takingthat if timeinformation for critical has reflec been tain that I have only the frustrated on its object. - present moment, which I am, then, born cannot be divided, which for eternity, but this eter- statedpublished, as unquestioned it must be true. truth-and But without malicious sufficient falsehoods pre canpublication be published. verification, incorrect information can be nity will be happy or thought, and which is wretched according to the nothing can fix, not even Guiding Principles for Evangelisation passing away with a ra- use I make of time. If I sin- As disciples of Jesus Christ, who came to preach "The present moment, or this pidity that nothing can cerely repent of the bad the Good News to the poor, do we see this paradigm actual existence from whom do equal. use of time I have made in shift in communication and technology as an opportu- For years they had been master and slave, ords are important. They are the building The written Word was received by the commu- The present mo- the past, if I am beginning nity to be grasped or a danger to be criticised and con- I hold it? From God. It is He who but later the slave was emancipated. Some years blocks of human relationships. Human be- nity after years of listening, living, praying, and discuss- demned? ment, or this actual ex- to make a good use of it, ings use words to communicate their very called me from nothing into being. after the emancipation of the slave, the master met W The printing press was initially criticised, yet it istence from whom do I if I persevere in this good selves. Words open us to the mystery of other peo- relationship with the living God, and it became a stable him by chance. Looking at the rags he was wearing made the Word of God accessible to a far wider audi- It is He who has preserved my hold it? From God. It is use until the moment ple, breaking through human isolation and enabling referenceing. It reflected point in the this community's communication. understanding This was espe of its- and the shack in which he lived, the master asked his ence. existence from one instant to He who called me from comes when time shall community. Words are like stones or bricks. At their cially important as historical and cultural situations earlier slave, "How is your situation now? Didn't you Can we do most positive, words construct the foundations for evolved-the printed Word could be kept, protected, another, and who is preserving nothing into being. It is cease for me, I shall be have enough to eat and a decent place to live in when the same human community and friendship. Words build up, prayed, repeated faithfully, critically analyzed, and eval- He who has preserved eternally happy. If I have with this new it at this present moment" you were in my service? Did you have any lack of affirm the good, challenge to conversion, and call us uated. The people of God were to “remember” and be my existence from one made a bad use of time, technology, anything at that time?" The erstwhile slave replied, to be authentic, loving, life-giving people. faithful while God continued to communicate with and which confus- instant to another, and and since neither the past "It is true that when I was your slave I had enough accompany them. my past existence, is no Who is preserving it at or the future is in my own to eat, and good clothes to wear and a good place to But just like stones and bricks, words can also es and even The greater number of longer anything, as far as this present moment. Will power, it is quite true to stay. But now I don't have enough food; I don't have be used as weapons that wound, tear down, and destroy. Communication f r i g h t e n s mankind employ their They can provoke hatred and discrimination, spread some of us? I am concerned; I can nei- He preserve it for me in say that my eternity de- enough clothes; and since I don't have a permanent Initially, most people could not read or write. time badly; many other gossip, and declare war. As the written word developed, its place in society grad- I believe we job I cant' even feed my children properly. When it are perfectly embarrassed ther recall it nor change the moment that shall im- pends always on the pres- Words matter. A speech by Hitler provoked ually grew more important. But books were written and can; in fact, I rains, the roof of my shack leaks and there is water by their time and do not anything in it. The time to mediately follow this one? ent moment. people to participate in acts of unspeakable horror. A copied by hand, and parchment and paper were expen- am convinced know how to employ it. come, or my future exis- I do not know; and noth- sermon by Pope John XXIII encouraged people to act sive. Only the privileged few were able to conserve cop- we must. As the earlier slave was enumerating his Here tence, has not yet arrived, ing in the world can give Courtesy- "fidelity" with incredible generosity. Saint Alphonsus Liguori ies of the written word. Their sole object is to frit- woes,on the thefloor." master interrupted him, "Why don't you wrote that God became human to converse with us like are three This changed dramatically with the develop- ter it away, to pass it agree- then once again become my slave?" With a smile on a friend. guiding prin- ment of the printing press. Mass production of books, ably to themselves, or at his face, the earlier slave replied, "No, please. Even Saint John the Evangelist begins his Gospel - ciples for us- least without feeling them- though I do not have enough food and clothes, I am with "In the beginning was the Word." The Book of munication, in the process of education, and even in the ing technology to evangelise effectively: selves wearied and bored. The Healer free. It is this freedom that is most important to me. Genesis emphasises the creative power of the Word of methodsleaflets, andof evangelisation: newspapers caused Ordinary a revolution people could in comnow First, at least for now, this type of communica- Do they succeed God as God speaks and creation comes to be. God spoke get a copy of the Bible. tion and information technology cannot completely re- It was he who created humankind in the begin- in this? No. Experience through prophets and proverbs, chroniclers and kings Today, We are living through another period of place the printed word. Access is not yet universal, and I have changed my life pattern for you! ning, and he left them in the power of their own to the people of Israel. And the New Testament opens communication evolution that could have a great impact we are still learning how to use it. Printed Bibles, prayer teaches us that those free choice (Sir. 15:14) on society and on our task of sharing the Good News of books, theology texts, and other books, magazines, and people who are greedy I have denied 'everything' I liked... God created man free in the paradise. Man among us, revealing our human and divine Saviour. Jesus Christ. bulletins will continue to serve an essential role in our for pleasure are soon sa- was given full freedom for everything. He lived freely with the Word of God becoming flesh and dwelling Because of 'your faithfulness'. 'And the Word became For some, this age of computers, blogs, Wikipe- ongoing faith formation, our lives of prayerful union tiated with it, and that even amidst the birds and animals of the place. But dia, Google, and e-books represents a new and unfamil- with God, and the work of evangelisation. disgust, weariness, and soon he lost his sense of responsibility and obedi- flesh and made His dwelling among us' iar world and is a source of anxiety. We are experiencing Second, remember that the means of commu- idleness soon render ence and plunged headlong into disobedience, be- The most important word in God's communi- a revolution even greater than the one instigated by the Yes, I need to see things from 'your eyes' nication should not affect quality of content. The writ- them unbearable, even coming slaves to sin. Then they lost their paradise. cation with humanity is a person: Jesus Christ. In and printing press. This revolution will ultimately change through Him, the blessed Trinity is revealed God's very to themselves. But unfor- Yes, I want to love the poor, powerless and Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom our way of relating to society. When well-written blogs are creative, spontaneous, self. This Word is living, active, and present among us tunately, when they have (2 Cor 3:17) They did not understand this. Information can be shard almost simultaneous- informative,ten word still and requires helpful, critical they invitereflection us into and a dialogue.world of hated from 'your Heart' today and every day. Jesus and His message are the con- acquired this experience, Freedom consists of not dening the oppor- ly, without paper and practically without cost. Millions experience often unmarked by the interpretation and tent of our evangelisation as Christ communicates God's of people have access to this new technology. Publishing it is very rarely that they tunity to exercise our freewill. The highest freedom life, love, and redemption. is shifting from words on paper to words on computer, entails in loving one's neighbour as he loves himself, - - Gratitude brings Blessings The New Testament developed out of the oral phones, tablets, and other instruments not yet con- It is people who live according to the will of God that reflection of others. That is the nature of blogs and one- its are formed; it would tradition of the early Christian communities. This tradi- ceived. profit by it: The bad hab It is always possible ence.reason they appeal to us. But they alone are not suffi cost too much to adopt tion was founded on the life and preaching of Jesus and needs and desires is sin. The world may be full of enriched by the experience and wisdom of the evange- cient. ManyThe blogs third areprinciple undigested is our reflections commitment on experi to the good ones. They continue To thank for all the Blessings... Advantages and Risks vices.experience But if realwe arefreedom. virtuous, Harming we are others free before for selfish God. lists, apostles, and community. But it's important to re- to live as they have lived, This new world of universal access to informa- You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; although they no longer 'Tis Gratitude becomes "My Habit" tion and communication has obvious advantages. In only do not use your freedom as an opportuni- the Word we long to communicate to others. GoodWord Newsmade flesh. for men How and does women our communication living today? Values in an Africa, small rural classrooms can be connected to vast electronic age reflect Jesus Christ and His gospel as ty for self-indulgence, but through love become member that Jesus Christ is the definitive Word of God- and unchanging principles are universal. It is always the hope of happiness 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word libraries and educational resources. In isolated villages important to measure the content of our communica- slaves to one another (Gal 5:13) flatter themselves with- Every breath I breathe is filled was with God, and the Word was God' in Burkina Faso and in regions with no other reliable tion in the light of the gospel and the message of Jesus Mahatma Gandhi discovered a new and hu- John 1:1 form of communication, cell phones are used not only Christ. pected. Woe to those who with thankfulness when I realise, mane way for liberating a people that had been sub- for telephone calls, but also for news bulletins. In Viet- they once confidently ex Like Mary in Luke’s Gospel, we must learn to abuse and misuse their jugated to tyranny and exploitation. Using 'ahimsa' nam, people now have access to newscasts and different Jesus Christ who Blesses me treasure the Good News and carefully ponder it in our time! One day they will re- he put his method into practice with diligence and world views that offer possibilities beyond the ideology hearts. Written words invite readers into a dialogue gret having acted so, but Is "The Giver" and "the Healer" for my life. approved by a repressive government. vigour. In today's world we see all kinds of evil like that takes time to process. When the written word is then their regrets will be violence, greed for power and immorality. But Gan- With an iPad or e-book, it is possible to create - in vain. dhi through his 'ahimsa' exhibited a greater moral and use a library at a fraction of the cost and with great- ence point for subsequent generations seeking the right Sr.A.Christina Lourdes (HF) power than all these iniquities. He was able to pres- er access than past generations ever dreamed. Today’s path.shaped by serious reflection, it becomes a stable refer Our use of time will youth are as comfortable getting news on their phones - ent his principles by living it. In his case, precepts or through social networking as other generations were determine our eternity and practices went hand in hand. He was able to sow Importance of the Written Word cation is that it enables us to invite others into the same listening to the radio or reading the morning newspa- One great benefit of contemporary communi the seeds of morality among the people through the God's people have a long tradition of listening process of pondering and gratitude. When technology is per. Readers can engage in dialogues and respond im- What is time, example of his own life. Gandhiji rightly said, "My life to and proclaiming God's Word. Believers in Jesus Christ used well and guided wisely, it can be a powerful instru- mediately to the information they receive. ment, effective in engaging and sharing in evangelisa- with regard to myself? It is my message." stem from a strong oral tradition-God communicated Many young men and women communicate tion. is my present and actual through prophets and religious leaders many years be- regularly with peers crossing geographical, cultural, and Courtesy- Vachanolsavam fore the Word of God was written. even language frontiers. This offers enormous opportu- Courtesy- Liguorian existence. Past time, or XIX The Messenger April 21, 2013 Taking responsibility in the electronic 'Forwarding' Chain Tanya Ferdinandusz many people, at the simple read! Rather than press of a button, is it always "It is worse to randomly forwarding For many of us, the RIGHT to do so? Is it the RE- messages to the four bulk of our in-boxes may con- SPONSIBLE thing to do? forward a message corners of the earth, sist of ‘forwards’—messages that claims to be let’s take the time to WHEN THE MESSAGE IS read carefully and sent to us by someone, who Christian but is got it from someone else, who SUSPECT... evaluate critically to received it from yet another The technology is really contrary to see whether the mes- someone, to whom it was sent fantastic for disseminating Scripture, than to sage will enlighten by still another someone... important truths that someone and encourage or And frequently, we ourselves has shared in a creative and pass on a message confuse and mislead. become another link in the ‘for- memorable way, for alerting which is not in any A word of caution: great numbers of people to Just because the warding’ chain, by the decep- way ‘Christian’ or tively simple action of clicking crucial issues and concerns in a message comes from ‘forward’ and ‘send.’ timely manner, for encouraging which may even a regular source, this perity gospel’ which insists that With advancements people through inspirational does not automatically make it we can be wealthy or healthy if be contrary to only we follow the prescribed in technology, with ‘better’ stories. But what if the mes- reliable. Each message has to steps... By forwarding such and faster modes of commu- sage is suspect? What if the Christianity, but be evaluated on its own merits. message, either explicitly or Let’s also choose our recipients messages, we disseminate nication, the parameters and makes no claim to distortions of the Scriptural protocols that held true in implicitly, undermines the val- thoughtfully; and for times ues and beliefs we subscribe to when we are unsure, a wise message and undermine basic conventional modes of com- be otherwise" as followers of Christ? What if and safe guideline might be: If doctrines of our faith. Such munication may not always be the message is in fact contrary in doubt, DON’T (forward)! messages are more likely to relevant. But this cannot be or contradictory to the truths mislead other readers because taken to mean that there are taught in the Scriptures? ‘CARELESS WORDS’ IN CYBERSPACE they purport to be ‘Christian’ no boundaries; it simply means When sharing something People tend to place and because, despite the distor- tions, they often contain grains appropriate boundaries in RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION verbally, don’t we exercise great weight on the printed Responsible com- restraint depending on our word. And these days, more of truth. Forwarding such mes- wehitherto have tounchartered figure out andterritory. set sages might even be termed The protocols may differ for munication demands that we audience—for example, the and more people are doing ask ourselves a few questions presence of children? Cer- more and more of their reading ‘counter-witnessing.’ electronic communications— So, we are called to be BEFORE we hit that ‘forward’ tainly, it is quicker and easier to on-line. Thoughtful, careful, for instance, letter-writing discerning email users. Yes, it button; for example: add a whole group of recipients and prayerful discernment has conventions dictate a particular takes time. Yes, it takes effort. with one smooth, practised as great a part to play in our placing of the address, use of But whoever said being a Chris- the correct form of address etc.. sage carefully and critically? movement of the mouse; it electronic communications as tian was easy or quick? With email, informality seems (Sometimes,• Have the I read forward the mes- but- takes a few more precious in our spoken or written com- Email is instant; but it to be the norm; with the grow- ton is pressed even without minutes and a fraction more munications. Jesus warned, takes time and effort to mature ing use of mobile phones, use of reading the content!) brain power to sift through the “I tell you, on the day of in faith. Email is easy; but act- shortened forms (u, TC, 2moro list and thoughtfully add or judgment you will have to give ing responsibly is often not. etc) have gained a measure of choose to send a copy of this omit names. But this screening an account for every careless Email is convenient; but doing message• Wouldto this Iparticular actually per- word you utter” (Mathew 12:36). the right thing seldom is. wine demands new wineskins. son (or people) via snail mail? extra—it is our clear responsi- It seems reasonable I am by no means acceptance. That’s fine. New bilityor filtering as Christians! is not an Inoptional Romans to assume that this warning anti-forwards. They are a GOOD ‘EMAIL ETIQUETTE’ capability and the time, would 14, Paul commands the ‘stron- encompasses our electronic great way to share great mes- A recent email (an I• really write Assuming (or speak) I had suchthe a ger’ in faith to be sensitive and communications—extending to sages with great numbers useful ‘forward’!) offered message myself? thoughtful in relation to the every careless word that goes with great speed, with great simple tips to make electronic ‘weaker’ in faith. He exhorts forth from our computers out effect and with great ease! But communication safer—for ex- Just because we are the Christians in Rome to into cyberspace... the reverse also holds true— ample, delete email addresses not the originator of the mes- “resolve instead never to put a In many ways, I believe that appear in the body of the sage, this does not mean we stumbling block or hindrance it is worse to forward a mes- false ideas, can be shared with message; use ‘blind copy’ for can absolve ourselves of all in the way of another” (Romans sage that claims to be Chris- flawedequally messages, great negative which effects. convey adding email addresses; check responsibility for the message. 14:13b). An email message tian but is really contrary to the validity of petitions, virus To hit the forward button is to which serves as thought-pro- Scripture, than to pass on a Paul writes, alerts, etc. before forwarding make the choice to become a voking meat for a mature Chris- message which is not in any “Let no evil talk come out of these, and so on. This kind of link in the forwarding chain— tian may prove to be the cause way ‘Christian’ or which may your mouths, but only what is good ‘email etiquette’ is es- and so to share a measure of of gagging in bewilderment even be contrary to Christian- useful for building up, as there sential in order to minimize the responsibility in relation to for a less mature believer. For ity, but makes no claim to be is need, so that your words may risk of viruses and junk mail those to whom we forward the want of a few extra moments to otherwise. For example, think give grace to those who hear.” as well as to protect people’s message and perhaps even to run through a list of email ad- about a ‘forward’ that supersti- (Ephesians 4:29) privacy. But an even more others who are added to the dresses, will we be responsible tiously insists that all you have Do the words in our important issue, with which I forwarding chain thereafter. for putting a ‘stumbling block’ to do is say a particular prayer email forwards ‘give grace’ to those who read them? As long have been grappling for some in the way of another? (sometimes prescribing 3 times as they do, let’s keep clicking time now, is this: Just because ‘ROMANS 14’- Not all of us are capa- or 9 times) and your request on ‘forward’! If they don’t, let’s our email packages provide TYPE RESPONSIBILITY ble of writing clearly, concisely (“no matter how impossible”) hit the delete key instead. an incredibly easy and instant We must sometimes and creatively. But it is safe to will be granted... or a message If you agree, and share means of forwarding not just ask: Is this message appropriate assume that all of us who have which selectively quotes Scrip- these concerns, then... PLEASE one, but many messages to for everyone on my mailing list? an email account can certainly ture verses to promote a ‘pros- FORWARD! (Q13N 0440)