SINCE FEB 11,1869 THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY O F SRI LANKA "REGISTERED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS OF SRI LANKA UNDER NO. QD / 11 / NEWS / 2012" Sunday November 25, 2012 Vol 143 No 45 16 Pages Rs: 25.00 Registered as a newspaper • Archbishop asks Catechists How many of us know what we teach? (Contd. Pg 2 & 14 ) he Archbishop Tof Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm A New English Catechism from Cardinal Ranjith at a special meeting next year with English Medium Catechists of the ‘Life in Christ’ the English Catechism Archdiocese recently, books written by His Grace, Archbishop questioned their belief Emeritus Oswald Gomis, for students of and knowledge in the teaching of Catechism. Year One to Year Eleven will comprise “How many of the Sunday School syllabus for 2013. us know what we believe and how many of us know what we teach?” the Arch- and preach the Good ‘Year of Faith’ declared by bishop asked. News’ which demands a His Holiness Pope Benedict “To be a catechist, deeper commitment, then XVI, from October 11, 2012 is a matter of deep com- our teaching becomes a to November 24, 2013. Of mitment to Christ and to shallow exercise,“ His Emi- the 126 parishes belong- (Pic: Rev. Fr. Sunil de Silva) the faith. If we are not nence pointed out. ing to the Archdiocese of convinced that we are The special Colombo, 54 conduct Cat- to impart faith to the chil- Catholic Church by Pope tool and one of the most disciples of Christ, who gathering was held at the echism classes in English. dren with the help of the John Paul II. important fruits of the commissioned each one of Blessed Joseph Vaz Centre, The emphasis Catechism of the Catholic His Eminence Second Vatican Council. In us to ‘go out to the world Colombo 8, in view of the here is to train catechists Church (CCC), which has declared that CCC is a pre- the Apostolic Constitution, been promulgated for the cious and indispensable (Contd. P 3 ) Felicitations! ‘Maintain intimacy with the Lord through prayer’ is Lordship, Rt. in order to deepen the HRev. Dr. Emmanuel faith,” His Lordship stated, Fernando, Auxiliary adding that the Catechism Bishop of Colombo of the Catholic Church, addressing a seminar promulgated 20 years on the ‘Year of Faith’ ago was mainly for adult at the Kotte Deanery Catholics rather than for reiterated its relevance children and invited the at a time when our faith faithful to become more is being challenged by familiar with its teachings heir Grace, Archbishops’ Emeriti, Nicholas various opposing forces which provide them TMarcus Fernando and Oswald Gomis will be of society including false with guidance to various felicitated by the Presbytery on December 3, 2012 on prophets. aspects of Catholic life and reaching the 80th milepost in their lives journey. Para-liturgical service will take place at “This is the time are based upon the vision The seminar Cultural Committee of the the Sacred Heart Chapel, Archbishop’s House at to maintain intimacy with of the Second Vatican was conducted by the Kotte Deanery Pastoral 11.30 a.m. for the service of love rendered by the the Lord through prayer Council. Education Media and (Contd. P 2 ) Archbishops to the Archdiocese. His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR LOYALTY TO ALMA MATER Fernando celebrates his birthday on December “Gleaned from t the High Achievers’ Award Ceremony 6 while His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis Edexcel 2012, of the British Council, held at the classics” celebrates his on December 12. A Musaeus College Auditorium, Rushka Marie Silva a student of St. Bridget’s Convent was awarded Si computes annos, “World Prize” for Accounting at the London G.C.E. exiguum tempus; si (Advanced Level) Examination, June 2012. She is vices rerum aevum Christmas presently reading for her degree at the University of Kent. putes. Articles We at St. Bridget’s Convent are proud (from Pliny the Please send in your contributions of this young Bridgetine for her achievement, for the Christmas Issue of the bringing credit to her Alma Mater, on revival of younger) Messenger before December 7, the London G.C.E. (A/L) classes, after a lapse of If you count the years, 2012. many years. We wish Rushka God’s blessings and - Editor a brief period but if you success as she pursues her academic career. reckon the changes, an age! Rushka Silva - SBC Media Unit ‘Love’s Reconciliation Christ the Invisible requires King Radiance 9Pg Reparations 10Pg 15Pg 2 The Messenger 25th Novenber 2012 Kandy Annual Adult "Revival of Faith in the Family" Baptism ceremony adopt their lifestyle and live it here. They have a very lethargic attitude towards Mass and the faith. This is happening in the Colombo Archdio- cese too. If we fail to act now this 'culture' will spread to other parish- - ism. es. We have"We to have fight againstour divine secular re- sources which should be utilized to bring the prodigals to our fold. We The annual Adult Baptism ceremony, conduct- have to guide our Catholic families in the parishes during this 'Year of St. Anthony's Cathedral, Kandy, recently. The Chief cel- Faith'. A team comprising of priests, ebranted by Joseph was His Vaz Lordship Information Rt. Rev. Office, Dr. VianneyKandy, was Fernando, held at religious and lay families has al- Bishop of Kandy. The six month classes were conducted ready been set up and will function by Rev. Sr. Mary Cecilia Perera of Holy Angels' Congre- under the direction of the Bishop, to gation, in association with Rev. Fr. Sudath Perera, Direc- strengthen the faith in God among the Catholic families in the Diocese," tor, Family and Media Services, Diocese of Kandy. The His Lordship said. 17 years of service of Rev. Sr. Theodore Fernando (Holy Very Rev. Fr. Damian Fer- Angels) was also remembered on that day. nando said there are about 24,000 Picture includes (L to R) Rev. Fr. Gunasekeram, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera addresses the gathering. Seated on Catholics in the Diocese of Ratnapu- Rev. Fr. Ivan Jayasundera (Parish Priest, Kandy) Most his left is Very Rev. Fr. Damian Ferando, Vicar General, Ratnapura ra. "We should instill the message Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, Bishop of Kandy, Rev. Fr. Su- of the Gospel into their minds and dath Perera, (Diocesan Director for Media and Family Five Catholic couples se- declared from October 2012 to No- hearts." Services) Rev. Sr. Cecilia Perera, (Holy Angels) Our Lady lected from the 21 parishes of the vember 2013 as the Christian faith Mr. Anton Peiris, a parish- of Lanka Convent, Mahayaya, Kandy with the newly bap- Diocese of Ratnapura, gathered at is diminishing in European coun- ioner touched on family unity, un- tised adults. M. Emil P. Perera the Catechetical Centre recently tries. The Catholic youth in these derstanding, trust and love between to participate in an awareness pro- countries were distancing them- husband and wife. Only those par- gramme on the "Revival of Faith in selves from Church activities and ents who have faith in God will have Advent ........ the Family" organised by the Vicar Sunday Mass is attended only by the faith in their children and wives, he Contd. from Pg1 General of Ratnapura, Very Rev. Fr. elderly. The Youth and children do said. Every evening during the season of Advent, each Damian Fernando. not attend Mass and they are swept Rev. Sr. Yogaranee Rajarat- family may come together beside the Advent His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cl- by the modern cultural set up. They nam translated the Sinhala speech- etus Chandrasiri Perera OSB Bishop have lost faith in God and do not like wreath, to do this service prayerfully. 1. Sing a hymn to the Holy Spirit of Ratnapura addressing the meet- to discuss religion. Tamil faithful. 2. Light a lamp of the Advent wreath ing said the Year of Faith has been "Our people who go there es into Tamil for the benefitJ. Antony of the 3. Examination of concience and a penitential hymn to be followed. 4. The day’s Gospel text to be read by Father Catholic Literary Awards Festival Mother or an elder. The 27th Annual Catholic Literary Sri Lanka, after 1505 A.D. after the artist and painter. (KALA SURU/ 5. Observe reflective moments of silence Awards Festival, of the National Portuguese invasion but the Lord l,diqre) Rev. Fr. Gerald Fernando 6. Inspirational thoughts to be shared with - Jesus Christ, was not a Westerner. (Former Director Media - Diocese one another. ated to ICOM - International Catho- He was born in Asia, lived preached of Kurunegala) (LIVISURU/ ,súiqre) 7. Present one’s intentions to the Lord. licCatholic Organization Writers' for Association Media, Geneva, (affili and died in Asia. The literary role for journalistic excellence; (Radio 8. Recite the Lord’s prayer. Switzerland), was held at Paul VI by the Christian Missionaries and • Centre, Colombo 11, last week. The Catholics in Sinhala Literature was Veritas, Manila, Philippines); Mrs. Sing a Thanksgiving Hymn Chief Guest was Very Rev. Fr. Patrick highly commendable he said. Matilda Adikaram (Kalawa/l,dj) PRAYER FOR THE YEAR OF FaITH Perera, (Episcopal Vicar Northern The annual report was pre- (KIVISURU/lsúiqre) (Diocese of O Father, God of my life, this day, I renew Region). sented by Mr. Maximus Roy Perera, Anuradhapura). my act of Faith in you, make me Lord yours wholly The guest speaker was Mr. General Secretary NCWA and the and guide me the way you want. Tillekeratne Kuruwita Bandara, a welcome address was given by Mr.