SINCESINCE FEBFEB 11,186911,1869 THETHE CATHOLICCATHOLIC WEEKLYWEEKLY OFOF SRISRI LANKALANKA “The heart of our good Mother Mary is all love and mercy. She desires nothing else but our happiness. Holy Father’s Visit to Sri Lanka ‘Abide in Love’ We need only to have recourse to her and we will be heard” Facebook account: - St. John Mary Vianney www.facebook.com/popevisitsrilanka2015 Spiritual preparation for the forthcoming visit of our Holy Father, Pope Francis to Sri Lanka. Special intentions for the Sunday Liturgy SEE Pg.15➤➤ "REGISTERED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS OF SRI LANKA” UNDER NO. QD / 34 / NEWS /2014 Sunday, October 12, 2014 Vol 145 No 40 20 Pages Rs: 25.00 Registered as a newspaper At Inauguration of Diamond Jubilee Academic Year Rector of National Seminary highlights challenges to Priestly Formation ector of the Nation- examples of discipleship, Asian countries. al Seminary, Rev. Fr. men who have a deep de- “The Christian RElmo Dias speaking sire which prompts them faithful and clergy in Iraq, at the Inauguration of the to leave everything: “...the Syria and many other Diamond Jubilee Academic boats and the nets.” countries bear witness to Year of the National Semi- Presenting the the faith that emanates nary of Our Lady of Lanka, Annual Report of the Semi- from the Cross. Their life Ampitiya held on October 1 nary to a gathering of Bish- has become a glaring and a said, that the Church needs ops, Religious, Academic brave example of carrying priests who are genuine Staff and Seminarians, Fr. the Cross as Jesus did.” disciples to face up to the Elmo Dias called attention Fr. Elmo said that challenges that are loom- to the anti-Christian atti- this courageous witness ing large against her. tude of the secular world to faith amidst threats and “Therefore, the where there was an open challenges sends a strong Seminaries and their for- “aversion to the Cross and and powerful message to mation programmes to- the clergy and seminar- day have to be geared not from it.” ians, to go interior and ask: only to bring forth men of all the Thisvalues negative that flow as- intelligence and wisdom pect, he said, is seen in for the sake of Jesus Christ but also men who are true the socio-political, eco- andHave what we reallyis it thatsacrificed moti- nomic, religious and scien- vates us to move forward in forming ourselves into ‘Lectio Divina’ Western and some Middle the Priesthood of Christ? Easterntific spheres countries mainly in andthe Orientation Talk even in some African and Contd on Pg. 2 His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando SSS, Bishop of Badulla will Countdown to Canonization begins Presbyteral deliver an orientation Fr. Benedict Groeschel passes away talk on ‘Lectio Divina’ on Meeting CNA/EWTN News- Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, Wednesday, October 15 The next Presbyteral author, former EWTN from 4.00 to 6.00 pm at Meeting of the Archdio- host, and one of the the Peter Pillai Auditori- cese of Colombo is sched- founders of the Commu- um, Aquinas University uled for Monday, October nity of Franciscan Friars College, Colombo 08. The 27 and Tuesday October of the Renewal, passed programme is conducted 28, from 9.30 am each away on October 3. He by the Archdiocesan Bib- day, at the Archdiocesan was 81-years-old. lical Commission (ABC), Auditorium, Archbish- “The Catholic together with the Facul- Commencement of 100 Days mission to the canonization of op’s House, Colombo 8. Church and the Francis- as relief “that God has set ty of Theology, Aquinas Blessed Joseph Vaz and the visit of Pope Francis to Sri Lanka Koinonia University College. began last Sunday (5), with a Holy Mass at the National Ba- can family lost a giant him free from the physi- For details contact: silica, Tewatte. The Mass was celebrated by His Lordship, Rt. today,” the Friars said cal and mental suffering [email protected] he has experienced over 0777749019/ Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo. in a statement, express- 0715300185/ After the Mass a Special Programme was held giving some OR cmmessenger ing deep sadness at Fr. the past decade.” 0773688329. important facts of the Papal Visit. [email protected] Groeschel’s loss as well Contd on Pg. 3 Ashen S. Senarathna Calling All the Architects and Artists ➤ (See Pg. 2) 2 The Messenger October 12, 2014 Mother Earth is sacred; don’t pollute her With Sri Lanka jewardene, a member of the reason why, despite earth, further food poi- tap water but were instead 50,000 paddy farmers in facing a food crisis where the GMOA’s subcommit- all the marvels of modern soning is also taking place obtaining slightly muddy the North-Central Province most of the food items we tee on national health is- medical technology, more in other ways. water from tube wells. by Special Projects Minis- eat daily – ranging from sues said Cuba had made people are falling sick At a recent meet- The Chief MOH ter S. M. Chandrasena. rice and grains to vegeta- this offer because it was more often, hospitals are ing of the Medico-Legal So- said they had found vari- Dr. Channa Jaya- bles and fruits – known to highly successful in its packed like market places ciety of Sri Lanka, speak- ous insects and even snails sumana, Director of the be polluted by the exces- organic agriculture. He and often medical special- ers revealed that as many in the food that had been Presidential Task Force sive use of agrochemicals, said Sri Lanka's Govern- ists are unable to diagnose as 1,200 additives includ- stored near the toilet or for the Prevention of Kid- Cuba has offered Sri Lan- ment was not respond- ailments. kitchen. He said some of ney Disease, said Presi- ka a wayout ing positively apparently Sri Lanka spends enhancing substances, the colouring substances dent Mahinda Rajapaksa The Cuban for- because the powerful hundreds of millions of ing preservatives, flavor- used for popular biriyanis substances for colouring had taken the initiative eign minister during his agrochemical TNCs, were dollars on the import of were found to be harm- artificialand texture sweeteners, were being and recent visit to Sri Lanka these agrochemicals. ful. Dr. Wijemuni warned to distribute seed paddy used in imported and lo- of traditional rice variet- offered to transfer mod- Dr. Wijewardene cal food items. that the most poisoned ies to farmers who would ern technology for or- withinfluencing the large-scale politicians use of said that in Cuba the use Colombo's Chief or polluted food item that ganic or natural agricul- importedand officials chemical to continue fertil- of agrochemicals was people could eat was the cultivate those varieties ture. But the Government izers, weedicides and pes- banned and the Sri Lanka Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni re- popular kottu roti. without the use of agro- is not keen to accept it, ticides. Government should ac- vealedMedical theyOfficer had of Healthraided In a positive move chemicals. apparently because of According to peo- cept the offer from our several eateries and ho- last Saturday, seed paddy Dr. Jayasumana ple-friendly agriculturists old Non-Aligned friend to tels in Colombo. What of traditional or native said seed paddy were transnational agrochemi- and nutritionists, most prevent further poison- they found was shocking. rice varieties such as Kalu- given free of charge and calthe influencecompanies, of thepowerful Gov- of the food items we eat ing of our people and the Most of these hotels did Heenati, Madathawalu, the farmers had agreed to contain poison because of pollution of Mother Earth. not have clean kitchens, Siyapath-El, Putchha Peru- cultivate the traditional Association has charged. the excessive use of agro- Besides the agrochemical toilets or storage places. mal, Kurulutuda and Kaha- varieties without using ernmentDr. Medical Chinthaka Officers Wi- chemicals. This may be pollution of our food and Some of them did not have wanu were given to about agrochemicals. Calling all.... From Pg. 1 ST. BENEDICT'S COLLEGE, All Catholic architects, painters, sculptors, graphs to supplement your description are necessary. COLOMBO - 13. Applications should be forwarded by regis- material/statue-makers, graphic artists/designers, are tered post to the address below on or before October Application forms for Grade 06 - Year 2015 invitedstatue-makers, to register wood themselves craftsmen, in the fibre Archdiocese glass and ofother Co- 25, 2014. lombo. The registration will facilitate the artists to con- Those who have registered before need not Application forms will be issued to Parents on tribute their talents for the upcoming Papal visit. Guilds register again. All who register will be invited for an in- 13th and 14th October, 2014 between 1.30 p.m. and 3.00 will be formed for the artists and architects. augural meeting with His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal With the guidance of His Eminence Malcolm Ranjith. The following documents should be produced Cardinal Ranjith, the Archdiocese wishes to launch a Rev. Fr. L.G. Priyantha Silva, top.m. obtain at the the College application Office. forms. programme of decorating churches with paintings and Archdiocesan Consultant for Ecclesiastical * Family Book sculptures that help in the catechising of the faithful. Art & Architecture, Members of the Guilds will be given the opportunity to No 990, Aquinas University College, Colombo 08. take part in the above programme. * Child's Original Birth Certificate Rev. Bro. Director. For Further information contact - Sulalitha Please apply with full bio data and descriptions * Child's Original Baptismal Certificate 0773187827/0714917971. of works of art that you have created in the past. Photo- Josephian Past Teachers Feast of St. Mary's Church, Clarification outing in Kandy In our last Katukurunda Moratuwa week's news item titled "Feast of Our Lady of The feast of St.