As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him,... (Mark 10:17)

Sunday October 10, 2021 Vol 152 No 26 16 Pages Rs: 50.00 Registered as a newspaper

“ R e g i S t e R e d i N t h e d e Pa Rt m e N t O f P O S t S O f S R i L a N k a” u N d e R N O. Q d / 1 0 / N e w S / 2 0 2 1

The CaTholiC weekly of sri lanka

You are the Church!

Experience God in

your family.CSee Pg 7

The blessing and commissioning of the new Heidelberg PrintMaster 4-colour offset printing machine and ‘Pahan Gedara

Abhinandana Pranama Ulela’ appreciation ceremony was held under the distinguished patronage of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal

Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and Their Lordships Rt. Rev. Drs. Maxwell Silva, J. D. Anthony Jayakody and Anton Ranjith on Monday (4) at the Colombo Catholic Press.

Twenty-four priest writers who contribute to the Catholic weeklies at present at the invitation

of Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando, Director and Editor were appreciated during the ceremony. They were recognized for their commitment and dedication in quenching the thirst of Catholic readers in the country expecting no benefits in return.

Pic by T. Sunil Fernando, Roshan Pradeep and Michael Fernandopulle

PriEst WritErs' fEliCitatEd!

Catholic media in sri lanka always stood up for truth and justice - His Eminence

the Catholic Church will always be on the side of the people. The Catholic weeklies published by the Colombo Catholic Press has stood up for

truth and justice and has always been sensitive towards People’s issues. They have been in the forefront as a media institute fulfilling their duties, said His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of the Colombo.

He was the Chief Guest at the Blessing and Commissioning of Heidelberg 4-colour offset printing machine of the Colombo Catholic Press on Monday(4).

The function was held with a limited number of guests and staff members adhering to the government

health guidelines. Pahan Gedara Abhinandana Ulela, a ceremony to appreciate priest writers and staff members with service over 25 years was also held in parallel to the blessing and commissioning of the new printing machine.

“Although Gnanartha Pradeepaya, Messenger and Gnana Oli are published by the Archdiocese of Colombo; these Catholic weeklies have become the voice of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka,” said His Eminence at the function which was graced by Their Lordships Rt. Rev. Drs. Maxwell Silva, J. D. Anthony Jayakody and Anton Ranjith, Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo.

Sri Lankan theologian Rev Fr. Vimal Tirimanna CSsR

has been appointed as a member of the Theological Commission by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Secretariat for this Synodal process on Synodality.

a sri lankan appointed to the theological Commission on synods

➢ ConTd on Pg. 13

Statement by the Catholic National

Commission for the Laity

On issues of justice for the victims

of Easter sunday attacks and for all the victims

of injustices and harassments in our motherland

CFull statement on Pg 2

CCP is now on facebook The Colombo Catholic

Press took another giant step forward by

marking its presence in social media with the launch of new Facebook page.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo officially launched the Facebook page. Picture shows His Eminence with Rev. Fr. Dulip Kamal, administrator of the page during the launch.

Three electronic media institutions; Sirasa TV, Verbum TV and Seth FM were recognized at the ‘Pahan Gedara abhinandana Pranama

Ulela’ for their dedication and commitment to keep the flame of faith alive during the pandemic.

For over a period of one year during every lockdown, Sirasa TV, Verbum TV and Seth FM dedicated air time to broadcast Holy Mass and religious programmes that helped the Catholics in the country to stay connected to their faith.

sirasa tV, Verbum tV and seth fM acclaimed for keeping the flame of faith during the pandemic

➢ ConTd on Pg. 13

Today isNational Laity Sunday

rev fr. Vimal tirimanna Cssr

2 the Messenger October 10, 20212 Messenger October 10, 2021

... “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?... (Mark 10:17-18)

Rosary Pilgrimage 2021Churches Assigned for the Rosary Programme KANDY DIOCESE

12th October Fatima Shrine, Padiwatta 7pm–8pm13th October St. Mary’s Church, Ampitiya 7pm–8pm

KURUNEGALA DIOCESE

14th October Our Lady of Fatima Church, 7pm–8pm Malkaduwawa 15th October Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 7pm–8pm Kadawalagedera

ANURADHAPURA DIOCESE

16th October Our Lady of Lourdes, Kala - Oya 7pm–8pm17th October Our Lady of Assumption, Minneriya 7pm–8pm18th October Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, 7pm–8pm Polonnaruwa

Statement by the Catholic National Commission for the Laity

On issues of Justice for the Victims of Easter Sunday Attacks and for all the Victims of Injustices and Harassments in our Motherland

While being conscious of the initiatives taken to resolve the above burning issues within our beloved nation, we the Catholic National Commission for the Laity, representing Catholic Lay Movements in Sri Lanka, prayerfully forward this statement.

It is with utmost concern that we express our solidarity with the innocent victims of the Easter Sunday Bomb Attacks whom we have been remembering for the last two & half years since these brutal attacks and other victims subjected to by various acts of injustices and harassments.

We, as the Catholic Laity of Sri Lanka would like to state

our loyal support for the initiatives by the Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) as they strive together towards seeking justice and consolationtoalltheaf licted.Weassureourcontinuedprayers for the success of their efforts with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We also pray for our political leaders and the decision makers of our country so that they could make correct and meaningful deliberations so as to bring justice to the affected.

In the above context, we the Members of the CNCL univocally decided to contribute towards the above

cause by calling upon the Lay Faithful to offer special prayers, invoking the Blessings of God of Truth and Justice, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Patroness of Sri Lanka, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary in their families on Sunday the 10th of October which coincides with the National Laity Sundayre lectingontheTheme“You are the Church - Experience God in your Family”.

Most Rev. Dr. Noel Emmanuel

Invitation to the “YCS Green Competitions”The Young Catholic Students’ Movement of the Archdiocese of Colombo has organized a competition called YCS GREEN COMPETITIONS for Adolescent Catholic Students. The theme is “To protect the inheritance of God’s Marvellous Creation.”

Following the Laudato si encyclical by His Holiness Pope Francis, he pointed out the importance of protecting our common home and directs students to do so, as well as giving experience to the adolescents who are stuck in uniformity due to the current pandemic as well as to polish their skills. Our main goal is to provide some kind of comfort towards young Catholic Students.

Any Catholic student in the Archdiocese of Colombo (Western Province) who are aged 13-19 as at 31st December, 2021 are eligible to participate in this competition. And all the students who are participatingwill receive a valuable E -certi icate aswell as prizes for the winners.

In this competition there are nine categories: dancing, acting, singing, drawing, cartooning, essay writing, poem writing, graphic designing and handcrafting. The Young Catholic Students’ Movement of the Archdiocese of Colombo has also organized a special competition for students who have obtained mango plants and to observe the growth of the mango plants.

You can get the rules of all these competitions using the link below and children should send us the photos or videos of their creations through the same link.

Link - www.linktr.ee/sjcycsContact us for more information about the competition. Facebook - www.facebook.com/YCScolombodiocese/ Rev. Fr. Lester Wijesooriya – 0772011105Malin Vas - 0710847887Ian Mario - 0773661280

Rev. Fr. Lester Wijesooriya,Chaplain,Young Catholic Students’ Movement, Archdiocese of Colombo.

Rev. Sr. Mary Sylvester Jayakody OSB the Mother Prioress of the fondly known Wennappuwa ‘Helen Madama’ celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her Religious Life this year.

Let us join hands to praise the Lord for what He has done for her, for her Congregation and for the community at large from the inception of the Benedictine Nuns of ‘Mater Unitatis’ in Sri Lanka on 14th April, 1952.

Coming from a staunch Catholic family, she received her primary education at Godella Roman Catholic School and was admitted to Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa for her secondary education. Having found the exceptional qualities and values that re lected thehidden prospective nun in this young girl, she was motivated and guided by Very Rev. Fr. Benedict Anthony Fernando of Chilaw Diocese to seek divine mercy and to desire for a prayerful life. She

Fifty years of dedicated life to make Jesus known and loved

seeks moral and spiritual support to be strong in the Lord. The faithful who visit Sr. Sylvester and the community are consoled and are assured of prayers.

In response to the request made by the late Bishop of Chilaw, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edmond Peiris, O.M.I. this Congregation was established in Wennappuwa and it was the irst BenedictineContemplative Women’s Monastery in Asia. Of the established monasteries in Sri Lanka, St. Helen’s Benedictine Monastery is unique because the Congregation was founded in the beginning of the 20th century in Italy by Mother Maria Johana Dora.

The Sisters in the two monastic communities in Wennappuwa and in Nainamadama in the Diocese of Chilaw intercede before the Lord for saving souls, praying for the unity of the Church and for the day-to-day needs of the faithful and for those who seek spiritual and moral guidance. Their daily routine starts with community prayers before the Blessed Sacrament followed by the Holy Mass, meditation, manual labour and singing praises to the Lord. They live in the community, giving priority to prayer and spiritual reading. Their silent mission includes making altar bread, Sacramental Wine and vestments for church services.

The Benedictine nuns have been facilitated and supported by the foreign nuns since Rev. Sr. Sylvester Jayakody was appointed the irst SriLankan Mother Prioress in the year 1983. Under the able guidance of the Late

realized that God whom she was seeking, in her prayers, in fact God was seeking her.

The late Jayakody Arachchige Don Sylvester Appuhamy and the late Hettiarachchige Lilian Cicilia Rodrigo of Godella, Dankotuwa offered their ifthchildinthefamilyof

seven to serve the Lord in the year 1969. Under the wings of Rev. Mother Maria Raimonda, the Prioress, Rev Sr. Maria Ida and Rev. Sr. Maria Ceclia (Italian nuns) made herself worthy of serving the Lord. Living a prayerful life, adhering to the rules and regulations of a Contemplative Order. She knew it was no easy task but she knew well, that once God took over her heart, none could claim it. So she willingly and joyfully said, ‘Amen’ to her religious vocation taking her First Vows on May 31, 1971.

She made her Solemn Profession in her religious life on 27th April 1974 before Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando. She is approachable, lexibleand sensible. Her community admires her sense of responsibility and accountability.

Monastic life is a form of religious life in the Catholic Church where the nuns detach themselves from the world, to be with the Lord alone, and give witness to a world plunged in passing pleasures. Prayer is the breath of the soul, the life energy of the spirit, the story of the interplay between God and man. Wennappuwa Benedictine Convent (‘Helen Madama’) is a haven for anyone who

Bishop of Chilaw Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando and very Rev. Fr. Thomas de Silva O.S. B. She played a Key role in indigenization of the Benedictine Spirit and in bringing the Congregation to the standards of “Sui Iuris” (Independent Status).

The untiring efforts of Rev Sr. Sylvester have borne fruit in strengthening the healthy rapport with the International Benedictine Confederation and facilitating the Sisters to join International Benedictine educational institutions for further education and training. She was instrumental in forming lay groups and fostering friendly relationships with the other Congregations.

Rev. Sr. Sylvester appreciated the assistance the Congregation received from the Chilaw Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis and OSB Fathers.

The sole intention of the Benedictine Nuns is to serve the Lord treading the path laid by St. Benedict. They pray to strengthen the depressed, the sick, and the broken hearted wherever they are, in the larger world.

May the Mother Prioress be greatly blessed to continue her vocation. Ajith Perera

3 October 10, 2021 Messenger

EDITORIAL

Email:ccpmessenger@yahoo.comWebsite:colomboarchdiocesancatholicpress.com Telephone: 011 2695984 Fax: 2692586 / 2670100

October 10, 2021

SINCE FEBRUARY 1869

...No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery;... (Mark 10:18-19)

On October 11th the Catholics in the world celebrate the Feast of the Holy Motherhood of Mary, the

Mother of God. In celebrating the perfection of Mary from the very irstmomentofherconceptionandMotherhood,we also celebrate what happened to Mary and what is happening to us, the Church. What was accomplished by God in Mary is being accomplished in us the Church so that like Mary we might present Christ to the world. It is exemplary and appropriate that the Holy Mother Church in her liturgical calendar ponders on the Divine Motherhood of Mary. Thus the Church invites her members, to live faithfully the life of Mary, as she could be presented as the Perfect Model of true Christian discipleship. If Mary is the Mother of Jesus and Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. This title is implicitly found in the New Testament. This same title was more explicit and found in the New Testament and was de ined at the Council of Ephesus. This Council heldatEphesusin431AD.,solemnlydeclaredandde inedMary as the Mother of God. Mary Mother of Christ proved her deep motherly concern for the Church from the moment of her birth, as she gathered with the disciples in the upper room. She prayed fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and she continues her powerful intercession for the Church today and for each one of us as members of the Church. During the irstninemonthsofourhumanexistence, we were in our mother’s womb and we

experience love. We experienced God who is love. Hence we came into the world with a deep longing to be loved, the longing for God, the longing to go back into this womb experience of God’s everlasting love. This means at the beginning of Mary’s Motherhood, the heartbeat of Our Mother and her breathing together gave us life and love in her womb. Hence the Bible says that God breathed His life into the irst man and the woman(Genesis 3:7). The womb and heart experience at the beginning of Motherhood is so profound that it is the central place of God’s activity and creative presence. The moment Mary consented to become the MotheroftheMessiahtheWordbecame leshinnaturein the Tabernacle within her. She possessed in her body, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ Himself. In the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen: ‘Mary had received her First Holy Communion. She could therefore very proudly and meaningfully say of Christ (This is my Body and this is my Blood.) In assuming our human nature Jesus has become one of us. This made the work of redemption, the way He planned it possible. God sent His Own Son. He came as the Son of a human Mother in nature and lived under the Jewish law to redeem those who were under the law so that we might become God’s sons (Galatians 4:4). He is the true ‘Man for all and through Him, His Mother becomes a Mother to all. In every child in her Motherhood, Mary sees Jesus her own child. Every child from the irstmoment of its existence isMary’s child.

Mary in nature in her motherhood witnessed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Apostles as they launched out to bring the Good News of Salvation to the whole world. Mother Mary is ever ready to help us by her powerful prayers and to guide our steps by the example of her own lifestyle. Mary’s dynamic faith is a light in the widespread crisis in faith af lictingtheChurchandtheworld.Mary’sundauntedfaith will enkindle and increase our own faith as we journey through the ups and downs of life. In the fullness of time, the child of Mary is born in Bethlehem. The Angels from heaven announce the ‘Good News’ to the shepherds and rejoice at the birth, not as a Prophet but as the Saviour of the world. And so the Church honours Mary in nature and in her Motherhood. It was through Mary that God’s Son received human nature, and walked on this earth. Like us in all things save sin, Mary did not give birth to a fetus only in the beginning of her Motherhood in nature, but to the Word that became lesh.

Miran Perera

Mary - Nature in feast of Motherhood

God gives what money cannot buy

An American Hindu guru, community-builder, activist, and author Radhanath Swami, when he

was travelling looking for truth, lived with Mother Teresa in Kolkata. She said, “The real problem in this world is hunger. Not the hunger of the belly, but the hungerof theheart.Givesomefoodthatcould ill thebelly.Buttheheartcouldbesatis iedonlybygivingandreceiving love. Even the world’s wealthiest and powerful people were starving for love. When we connect to God’s love, when we experience that love and become an instrument of love, then our hearts are full.”

Recently, Radhanath Swami spoke in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords. He gave a talk. One statement was applauded by almost everyone and afterwards people came up to him. Dukes and Duchesses and Princes and Princesses, Lords and Ladies, they were commenting on one sentence he spoke. It was such a common sense issue. He was actually amazed that people were inspired so much by this. The Swami said, “You could understand how rich you are by counting how many things you have that money cannot buy. That really affected people.”

Recently he was in Chicago and he spoke with a Chief Executive Of icer of a multi-billion dollarcorporation. He said the same thing to him and he quoted that line. When he said it, the CEO wept. The CEO said, “I can tell you what money cannot buy. Money cannot buy peace. Money cannot buy happiness. Money cannot buy ful ilment. Moneycannot buy a meaningful life. It cannot buy love.” He said all the really important good things that money cannot buy. The Swami said, “You just came to meet me on your own private jet. And you sent me your limousine to pick me up. I was a hitchhiker. I am a swami and I do not have anything. You are speaking with so much conviction about all the things that money cannot buy.” The Swami asked, “Why do you do work so hard for money?” The CEO said because it buys a lot of other things. But it cannot replace what is really of value.

On October 17, the United Nations marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The UN says that in a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and inancialresources,thatmillionsofpeoplearelivingin extreme poverty is a moral outrage. Poverty is not solely an economic issue, but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses a lack of both income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.

Poverty-stricken people experience many inter-related and mutually reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including dangerous work conditions, unsafe housing, lack of nutritious food, unequal access to justice, lack of political power and limited access to health care, the UN says.

In the Beatitudes or the virtues of supreme blessedness, Christ Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (St. Matthew 5:3) Most Catholic Bible scholars believe this means we need to be humble and also identify and treat with dignity, the hundreds of millions of people who are trapped in the globalized capitalist market economic system created mainly by rich countries. While we need to give a meal to a person who is hungry, that alone is not enough. We need to actively and effectively get involved with movements that are working to break the structures of the capitalist economy which is making the rich richer and the poor poorer.

The Jewish people had a story telling culture and in this tradition Christ Jesus also gave His most important messages in parables. For instance, in the Parable of the Rich Fool, Christ Jesus says: “Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21) Bible scholars say this was the irst timeChrist Jesus referred to a person as a fool.

Another important Gospel passage is the meeting Christ Jesus had with a rich young ruler. It goes like this: “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. “He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (St. Matthew 19: 16-22)

Pope Francis has regularly proclaimed that we need to become actively involved in social justice issues such as poverty alleviation, the battle against climate change, nuclear disarmament and peaceful con lictresolutionthroughdialoguewithoutresortingto war or violence. Unfortunately, many Catholics prefer to remain in their comfort zones by going for Sunday Mass and other services such as Novenas and processions. We need to go for Sunday Mass and receive Holy Communion, believe in it is the body and blood of Christ Jesus. But that is not enough. With that spiritual nourishment, we need to leave our boats behind on familiar shores and leap with Christ Jesus into the deep.

As we sing: Deep within my heart I feel voices whispering to me, words that I can’t understand; meanings I must clearly hear!, calling me to follow close, lest I leave myself behind!, calling me to walk into evening shadows one more time!:

So I leave my boats behind!, Leave them on familiar shores!, Set my heart upon the deep!,Follow you again, my Lord!:

In my memories, I know how you send familiar rains, falling gently on my days, dancing patterns on my pain!, and I need to learn once more in the fortress of my mind, to believe in falling rain as I travel deserts dry!:

As I gaze into the night down the future of my years, I’m not sure I want to walk past horizons that I know!, and I need to learn once more like a stirring deep within, restless, ‘til I live again beyond the fears that close me in!.”

3 the Messenger October 10, 20212 Messenger October 10, 2021

... “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?... (Mark 10:17-18)

Rosary Pilgrimage 2021Churches Assigned for the Rosary Programme KANDY DIOCESE

12th October Fatima Shrine, Padiwatta 7pm–8pm13th October St. Mary’s Church, Ampitiya 7pm–8pm

KURUNEGALA DIOCESE

14th October Our Lady of Fatima Church, 7pm–8pm Malkaduwawa 15th October Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 7pm–8pm Kadawalagedera

ANURADHAPURA DIOCESE

16th October Our Lady of Lourdes, Kala - Oya 7pm–8pm17th October Our Lady of Assumption, Minneriya 7pm–8pm18th October Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, 7pm–8pm Polonnaruwa

Statement by the Catholic National Commission for the Laity

On issues of Justice for the Victims of Easter Sunday Attacks and for all the Victims of Injustices and Harassments in our Motherland

While being conscious of the initiatives taken to resolve the above burning issues within our beloved nation, we the Catholic National Commission for the Laity, representing Catholic Lay Movements in Sri Lanka, prayerfully forward this statement.

It is with utmost concern that we express our solidarity with the innocent victims of the Easter Sunday Bomb Attacks whom we have been remembering for the last two & half years since these brutal attacks and other victims subjected to by various acts of injustices and harassments.

We, as the Catholic Laity of Sri Lanka would like to state

our loyal support for the initiatives by the Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) as they strive together towards seeking justice and consolationtoalltheaf licted.Weassureourcontinuedprayers for the success of their efforts with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We also pray for our political leaders and the decision makers of our country so that they could make correct and meaningful deliberations so as to bring justice to the affected.

In the above context, we the Members of the CNCL univocally decided to contribute towards the above

cause by calling upon the Lay Faithful to offer special prayers, invoking the Blessings of God of Truth and Justice, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Patroness of Sri Lanka, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary in their families on Sunday the 10th of October which coincides with the National Laity Sundayre lectingontheTheme“You are the Church - Experience God in your Family”.

Most Rev. Dr. Noel Emmanuel

Invitation to the “YCS Green Competitions”The Young Catholic Students’ Movement of the Archdiocese of Colombo has organized a competition called YCS GREEN COMPETITIONS for Adolescent Catholic Students. The theme is “To protect the inheritance of God’s Marvellous Creation.”

Following the Laudato si encyclical by His Holiness Pope Francis, he pointed out the importance of protecting our common home and directs students to do so, as well as giving experience to the adolescents who are stuck in uniformity due to the current pandemic as well as to polish their skills. Our main goal is to provide some kind of comfort towards young Catholic Students.

Any Catholic student in the Archdiocese of Colombo (Western Province) who are aged 13-19 as at 31st December, 2021 are eligible to participate in this competition. And all the students who are participatingwill receive a valuable E -certi icate aswell as prizes for the winners.

In this competition there are nine categories: dancing, acting, singing, drawing, cartooning, essay writing, poem writing, graphic designing and handcrafting. The Young Catholic Students’ Movement of the Archdiocese of Colombo has also organized a special competition for students who have obtained mango plants and to observe the growth of the mango plants.

You can get the rules of all these competitions using the link below and children should send us the photos or videos of their creations through the same link.

Link - www.linktr.ee/sjcycsContact us for more information about the competition. Facebook - www.facebook.com/YCScolombodiocese/ Rev. Fr. Lester Wijesooriya – 0772011105Malin Vas - 0710847887Ian Mario - 0773661280

Rev. Fr. Lester Wijesooriya,Chaplain,Young Catholic Students’ Movement, Archdiocese of Colombo.

Rev. Sr. Mary Sylvester Jayakody OSB the Mother Prioress of the fondly known Wennappuwa ‘Helen Madama’ celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her Religious Life this year.

Let us join hands to praise the Lord for what He has done for her, for her Congregation and for the community at large from the inception of the Benedictine Nuns of ‘Mater Unitatis’ in Sri Lanka on 14th April, 1952.

Coming from a staunch Catholic family, she received her primary education at Godella Roman Catholic School and was admitted to Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa for her secondary education. Having found the exceptional qualities and values that re lected thehidden prospective nun in this young girl, she was motivated and guided by Very Rev. Fr. Benedict Anthony Fernando of Chilaw Diocese to seek divine mercy and to desire for a prayerful life. She

Fifty years of dedicated life to make Jesus known and loved

seeks moral and spiritual support to be strong in the Lord. The faithful who visit Sr. Sylvester and the community are consoled and are assured of prayers.

In response to the request made by the late Bishop of Chilaw, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edmond Peiris, O.M.I. this Congregation was established in Wennappuwa and it was the irst BenedictineContemplative Women’s Monastery in Asia. Of the established monasteries in Sri Lanka, St. Helen’s Benedictine Monastery is unique because the Congregation was founded in the beginning of the 20th century in Italy by Mother Maria Johana Dora.

The Sisters in the two monastic communities in Wennappuwa and in Nainamadama in the Diocese of Chilaw intercede before the Lord for saving souls, praying for the unity of the Church and for the day-to-day needs of the faithful and for those who seek spiritual and moral guidance. Their daily routine starts with community prayers before the Blessed Sacrament followed by the Holy Mass, meditation, manual labour and singing praises to the Lord. They live in the community, giving priority to prayer and spiritual reading. Their silent mission includes making altar bread, Sacramental Wine and vestments for church services.

The Benedictine nuns have been facilitated and supported by the foreign nuns since Rev. Sr. Sylvester Jayakody was appointed the irst SriLankan Mother Prioress in the year 1983. Under the able guidance of the Late

realized that God whom she was seeking, in her prayers, in fact God was seeking her.

The late Jayakody Arachchige Don Sylvester Appuhamy and the late Hettiarachchige Lilian Cicilia Rodrigo of Godella, Dankotuwa offered their ifthchildinthefamilyof

seven to serve the Lord in the year 1969. Under the wings of Rev. Mother Maria Raimonda, the Prioress, Rev Sr. Maria Ida and Rev. Sr. Maria Ceclia (Italian nuns) made herself worthy of serving the Lord. Living a prayerful life, adhering to the rules and regulations of a Contemplative Order. She knew it was no easy task but she knew well, that once God took over her heart, none could claim it. So she willingly and joyfully said, ‘Amen’ to her religious vocation taking her First Vows on May 31, 1971.

She made her Solemn Profession in her religious life on 27th April 1974 before Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando. She is approachable, lexibleand sensible. Her community admires her sense of responsibility and accountability.

Monastic life is a form of religious life in the Catholic Church where the nuns detach themselves from the world, to be with the Lord alone, and give witness to a world plunged in passing pleasures. Prayer is the breath of the soul, the life energy of the spirit, the story of the interplay between God and man. Wennappuwa Benedictine Convent (‘Helen Madama’) is a haven for anyone who

Bishop of Chilaw Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando and very Rev. Fr. Thomas de Silva O.S. B. She played a Key role in indigenization of the Benedictine Spirit and in bringing the Congregation to the standards of “Sui Iuris” (Independent Status).

The untiring efforts of Rev Sr. Sylvester have borne fruit in strengthening the healthy rapport with the International Benedictine Confederation and facilitating the Sisters to join International Benedictine educational institutions for further education and training. She was instrumental in forming lay groups and fostering friendly relationships with the other Congregations.

Rev. Sr. Sylvester appreciated the assistance the Congregation received from the Chilaw Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis and OSB Fathers.

The sole intention of the Benedictine Nuns is to serve the Lord treading the path laid by St. Benedict. They pray to strengthen the depressed, the sick, and the broken hearted wherever they are, in the larger world.

May the Mother Prioress be greatly blessed to continue her vocation. Ajith Perera

3 October 10, 2021 Messenger

EDITORIAL

Email:ccpmessenger@yahoo.comWebsite:colomboarchdiocesancatholicpress.com Telephone: 011 2695984 Fax: 2692586 / 2670100

October 10, 2021

SINCE FEBRUARY 1869

...No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery;... (Mark 10:18-19)

On October 11th the Catholics in the world celebrate the Feast of the Holy Motherhood of Mary, the

Mother of God. In celebrating the perfection of Mary from the very irstmomentofherconceptionandMotherhood,we also celebrate what happened to Mary and what is happening to us, the Church. What was accomplished by God in Mary is being accomplished in us the Church so that like Mary we might present Christ to the world. It is exemplary and appropriate that the Holy Mother Church in her liturgical calendar ponders on the Divine Motherhood of Mary. Thus the Church invites her members, to live faithfully the life of Mary, as she could be presented as the Perfect Model of true Christian discipleship. If Mary is the Mother of Jesus and Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. This title is implicitly found in the New Testament. This same title was more explicit and found in the New Testament and was de ined at the Council of Ephesus. This Council heldatEphesusin431AD.,solemnlydeclaredandde inedMary as the Mother of God. Mary Mother of Christ proved her deep motherly concern for the Church from the moment of her birth, as she gathered with the disciples in the upper room. She prayed fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and she continues her powerful intercession for the Church today and for each one of us as members of the Church. During the irstninemonthsofourhumanexistence, we were in our mother’s womb and we

experience love. We experienced God who is love. Hence we came into the world with a deep longing to be loved, the longing for God, the longing to go back into this womb experience of God’s everlasting love. This means at the beginning of Mary’s Motherhood, the heartbeat of Our Mother and her breathing together gave us life and love in her womb. Hence the Bible says that God breathed His life into the irst man and the woman(Genesis 3:7). The womb and heart experience at the beginning of Motherhood is so profound that it is the central place of God’s activity and creative presence. The moment Mary consented to become the MotheroftheMessiahtheWordbecame leshinnaturein the Tabernacle within her. She possessed in her body, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ Himself. In the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen: ‘Mary had received her First Holy Communion. She could therefore very proudly and meaningfully say of Christ (This is my Body and this is my Blood.) In assuming our human nature Jesus has become one of us. This made the work of redemption, the way He planned it possible. God sent His Own Son. He came as the Son of a human Mother in nature and lived under the Jewish law to redeem those who were under the law so that we might become God’s sons (Galatians 4:4). He is the true ‘Man for all and through Him, His Mother becomes a Mother to all. In every child in her Motherhood, Mary sees Jesus her own child. Every child from the irstmoment of its existence isMary’s child.

Mary in nature in her motherhood witnessed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Apostles as they launched out to bring the Good News of Salvation to the whole world. Mother Mary is ever ready to help us by her powerful prayers and to guide our steps by the example of her own lifestyle. Mary’s dynamic faith is a light in the widespread crisis in faith af lictingtheChurchandtheworld.Mary’sundauntedfaith will enkindle and increase our own faith as we journey through the ups and downs of life. In the fullness of time, the child of Mary is born in Bethlehem. The Angels from heaven announce the ‘Good News’ to the shepherds and rejoice at the birth, not as a Prophet but as the Saviour of the world. And so the Church honours Mary in nature and in her Motherhood. It was through Mary that God’s Son received human nature, and walked on this earth. Like us in all things save sin, Mary did not give birth to a fetus only in the beginning of her Motherhood in nature, but to the Word that became lesh.

Miran Perera

Mary - Nature in feast of Motherhood

God gives what money cannot buy

An American Hindu guru, community-builder, activist, and author Radhanath Swami, when he

was travelling looking for truth, lived with Mother Teresa in Kolkata. She said, “The real problem in this world is hunger. Not the hunger of the belly, but the hungerof theheart.Givesomefoodthatcould ill thebelly.Buttheheartcouldbesatis iedonlybygivingandreceiving love. Even the world’s wealthiest and powerful people were starving for love. When we connect to God’s love, when we experience that love and become an instrument of love, then our hearts are full.”

Recently, Radhanath Swami spoke in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords. He gave a talk. One statement was applauded by almost everyone and afterwards people came up to him. Dukes and Duchesses and Princes and Princesses, Lords and Ladies, they were commenting on one sentence he spoke. It was such a common sense issue. He was actually amazed that people were inspired so much by this. The Swami said, “You could understand how rich you are by counting how many things you have that money cannot buy. That really affected people.”

Recently he was in Chicago and he spoke with a Chief Executive Of icer of a multi-billion dollarcorporation. He said the same thing to him and he quoted that line. When he said it, the CEO wept. The CEO said, “I can tell you what money cannot buy. Money cannot buy peace. Money cannot buy happiness. Money cannot buy ful ilment. Moneycannot buy a meaningful life. It cannot buy love.” He said all the really important good things that money cannot buy. The Swami said, “You just came to meet me on your own private jet. And you sent me your limousine to pick me up. I was a hitchhiker. I am a swami and I do not have anything. You are speaking with so much conviction about all the things that money cannot buy.” The Swami asked, “Why do you do work so hard for money?” The CEO said because it buys a lot of other things. But it cannot replace what is really of value.

On October 17, the United Nations marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The UN says that in a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and inancialresources,thatmillionsofpeoplearelivingin extreme poverty is a moral outrage. Poverty is not solely an economic issue, but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses a lack of both income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.

Poverty-stricken people experience many inter-related and mutually reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including dangerous work conditions, unsafe housing, lack of nutritious food, unequal access to justice, lack of political power and limited access to health care, the UN says.

In the Beatitudes or the virtues of supreme blessedness, Christ Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (St. Matthew 5:3) Most Catholic Bible scholars believe this means we need to be humble and also identify and treat with dignity, the hundreds of millions of people who are trapped in the globalized capitalist market economic system created mainly by rich countries. While we need to give a meal to a person who is hungry, that alone is not enough. We need to actively and effectively get involved with movements that are working to break the structures of the capitalist economy which is making the rich richer and the poor poorer.

The Jewish people had a story telling culture and in this tradition Christ Jesus also gave His most important messages in parables. For instance, in the Parable of the Rich Fool, Christ Jesus says: “Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21) Bible scholars say this was the irst timeChrist Jesus referred to a person as a fool.

Another important Gospel passage is the meeting Christ Jesus had with a rich young ruler. It goes like this: “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. “He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (St. Matthew 19: 16-22)

Pope Francis has regularly proclaimed that we need to become actively involved in social justice issues such as poverty alleviation, the battle against climate change, nuclear disarmament and peaceful con lictresolutionthroughdialoguewithoutresortingto war or violence. Unfortunately, many Catholics prefer to remain in their comfort zones by going for Sunday Mass and other services such as Novenas and processions. We need to go for Sunday Mass and receive Holy Communion, believe in it is the body and blood of Christ Jesus. But that is not enough. With that spiritual nourishment, we need to leave our boats behind on familiar shores and leap with Christ Jesus into the deep.

As we sing: Deep within my heart I feel voices whispering to me, words that I can’t understand; meanings I must clearly hear!, calling me to follow close, lest I leave myself behind!, calling me to walk into evening shadows one more time!:

So I leave my boats behind!, Leave them on familiar shores!, Set my heart upon the deep!,Follow you again, my Lord!:

In my memories, I know how you send familiar rains, falling gently on my days, dancing patterns on my pain!, and I need to learn once more in the fortress of my mind, to believe in falling rain as I travel deserts dry!:

As I gaze into the night down the future of my years, I’m not sure I want to walk past horizons that I know!, and I need to learn once more like a stirring deep within, restless, ‘til I live again beyond the fears that close me in!.”

4 the Messenger October 10, 2021

... ...you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honour your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:19)

The Bible identifies many sinners by name and their crimes. The disobedience of Adam and Eve, King

David’s adultery and cover-up of murder, Herod’s lust and murder of John the Baptist, Pilate’s cowardly execution of Jesus, and so on. Even the manifest grave sins of Peter, the exemplar pope, are documented in the Gospels. Nevertheless, the restraint of the Evangelists ensures that the Gospels never read like a Hollywood scandal sheet. When Peter witnesses to His Divinity, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus gives credit where credit is due: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew16:17) God’s grace precedes all human insight, understanding, and wisdom. Then the honour: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus confides to them His mission of redemption — His Passion and Cross. But Peter, disregarding the primacy of the Father’s grace, objects. Claiming an authority exceeding his rank, he takes Jesus aside and rebukes (sic!) Him: “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Matthew 16:22) Presuming God needs a spiritual director – a variation of the “ye shall be as gods” diabolical sin of Adam and Eve — has been a common clerical problem since the time of Jesus. As a warning to every priest, bishop, and pope, Peter suffers the harshest rebuke in the Gospels: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23) Revealing the public sins of Peter in the Gospels helps us to place into context the role of the Catholic clergy. They are the guardians of the faith, not the masters. Call popes, bishops, and priests to accountability for grave sins and bad behaviour as we must. But never criticize holy Mother Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, the spotless Bride of Christ – one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic.

Peter’s Sacramental Confession

By rev. fr. reginald lucian OMi

Historical Sketches Of Universal Church

No. 26

The period of Post Westphalia Peace Treaty, was a critical time to the whole of Western world, particularly to France. Enthused by the spirit of

absolutism and nationalism, the Western Rulers were conscious of the fact that they were chosen by God and have received the mandate directly from Him to rule; hence they were accountable only to Him not to anybody else in this world. This made them gradually lose the honour and respect towards the Papal Authority and control the local churches of their territories retaining together spiritual and temporal powers. Even the church dignitaries who were controlled by the secular heads became powerless and voiceless citizens of the local sovereigns. This situation worsened in France where the spirit of Gallicanism dominated the secular and spiritual authorities. The anti-clerical and anti-papal elements within and without the Church tried to fish in troubled waters, welcoming and supporting Gallicanism. Hence the 17th and the 18th centuries were the most difficult time for the Church at large as well as the people of France. This move to drag France away from the authority of the Pope and Holy Roman Empire was welcomed by a majority of French citizens who suffered under French Monarchy. This was the background in which the French Revolution, the most significant and famous event of World History broke out in 1789 lasting until 1792 the year the French Monarchy was overthrown. There were various things that contributed to the outburst of the French Revolution. Among them the most important was the social inequality that dominated the French Monarchy. At the time of the revolution, the total population of France was 24 million and 700 thousand. The Administrative Assembly of France, the States-General, was divided into three categories known as the Clergy, the Nobility and the Commoners. The third category consisted of 98% of the total population, comprising the bourgeois, the lawyers, the merchants, the labourers and the peasants. This third category was not only deprived of honour and

political power but they were despised by the others; though they shouldered the major part of the financial burden of the country by paying taxes while the others enjoyed collecting tithes and dues from them. So much so the over consciousness of the Rulers of their divine selection and their conviction of being accountable directly to God, made them turn a deaf-ear to the woe and cry of the commoners and others. The commoners, being enlightened by the contemporary intellectual and philosophical schools of thought, raising a series of questions regarding the traditional absolute authority of monarchy and the system of States-General, called for equal rights like the rest of the French people. On the other hand, they became the target whenever France introduced a fresh Tax system in her financial crises; due to war between France and Great Britain, French aid to American Revolution, and severe drought in the latter part of 18th century that caused great famine in the country. These collective circumstances of France forced the commoners to cry for justice, causing the French Revolution. Indeed, it was a blind irresistible force acted with furious elements let loose, overthrowing the society from top to bottom, uprooting everything after a manner of cyclone, leaving the ground strewn with ruins wherever it had passed and affecting the Church immensely. The commoners supported by the lower clergy in voicing out their grievances against the French administration were not against the total Church at the very outset of the revolution but they were fuming against the higher clergy for aiding and abetting the Royalty, ignoring the hardships, difficulties and sufferings of them. They were all out to bring a turtle turn in the monarchical Regime when the States-General, the Assembly of French Government, met at Versailles on 5th of May 1789, to form a new constitution. The serious and aggressive discussions that took place in the assembly on that day and in the consequent sessions, made clergy and nobility agree to

sacrifice their privileges for the welfare of the nations. The civil constitution of the clergy was passed by the assembly and the monarchy was abolished on the 21st of September, 1792 and later King Louis XVI and his Queen consort, Marie-Antoinette, were guillotined on charges of counterrevolution. The Church was placed at the mercy of the National Assembly and in the same year National Assembly decreed the confiscation of all the immovable property of the Church assuring in return of the obligation of maintaining the Church and her Ministers from the public fund. In the following year the monasteries, convents, and other religious houses were suppressed and all Church property was placed under the control of the State. In 1790 Gallicanism joyfully celebrated its greatest triumph. Every priest and bishop were obliged to take an oath on the new constitution and those who refused were deprived of their positions. Pope Pius VI condemned the civil constitution of the clergy and all those bishops and priests who supported the Papal move were banished by the French Legislative Assembly to Guiana or to find refuge in South America, England, Germany and the United States. In 1797 when Pope Pius VI allied with the enemies of France, the rising French General Napoleon Bonaparte invaded the Papal States forcing the Pope to sign the Treaty of Tolentino which enforced Him to surrender large portions of the Papal territory, as well as many valuable manuscripts and priceless works of arts to French Government on 19th February 1797. The aged Pope was carried off into exile to Valence where He died in 1799, but still good many French people were sympathetic towards the Church and Napoleon Bonaparte realizing the seriousness of the situation resolved to make peace with the Church signing a new concordat with modifications with the Papacy in 1801, that ended the revolution, establishing the Church as a religious agency supported by and subservient to the French State. This system lasted for a century, during monarchist, republican, and Bonapartist regimes.

But elsewhere in the Gospels, the evangelists are reluctant to reveal sins and sinners. Saint John refuses to disclose the name of the woman caught in adultery. But her identity must have been known by many. The sins of the paralytic are unknown. The adulterous Samaritan woman at the well remains anonymous despite her exuberant conversion. The Church’s traditional moral theology teaches that we have a right to a good reputation even when we sin. We squander that right with egregious sins and criminal acts. But unless society needs protection from our sins and crimes, we should exercise great care with our knowledge. It is a good rule of life to honour personal reputations by avoiding needless revelations unless silence risks injustice. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance and transmitted the power to forgive sins to Peter and, later, to the other Apostles. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) It took centuries for the Sacrament of Penance to take its present form. The sacramental encounter now usually takes place in the privacy of a confessional. The Seal of Confession protects the integrity of the Sacrament. The Seal of Confession keeps the doors to forgiveness open by eliminating the risk of disclosure. The Seal requires absolute secrecy under every circumstance. “The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason” (Can 983). “A confessor is prohibited completely from using knowledge acquired from confession to the detriment of the penitent even when any danger of

revelation is excluded” (Can. 984 §1). “A person who has been placed in authority cannot use in any manner for external governance the knowledge about sins which he has received in confession at any time” (Can. 984 §2). Breaking the Seal of Confession is a betrayal of the penitent, undermines the integrity of the Sacrament, and betrays Jesus. The consequences are severe: excommunication (cf. Can. 1388). We know the prominence the Sacrament of Penance has in Catholic life. But we never hear Peter or anyone go to Confession to Jesus with particular sins (although the Good Thief comes close). Jesus knows “…all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:25) After the Resurrection, Peter promises reparation in his threefold response to Jesus: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15) Love covers a multitude of sins, but his response falls short of a specific confession, and we do not hear the words of absolution from Jesus (in contrast to His tender dialogue with the Good Thief). Confession of transgressions and forgiveness are cornerstones to love and friendship: “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) So considering the significance of the Sacrament of Confession, why are there no clear examples of Jesus hearing Confessions and granting absolution in the Gospels? We do not know. But with pious conjecture, it is lovely to imagine the Apostles sincerely confessing their sins and Jesus granting His forgiveness in love. Did the Evangelists deliberately cloak those intensely private scenes? If so, the silence of the Evangelists is perfect. For even Jesus honours the Seal of Confession: “I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25) Courtesy: Catholic World Reporter

French revolution and the fate of French church

by father Jerry J. Pokorsky

5 the Messenger October 10, 2021 5 October 10, 2021 Messenger

By Very Rev. Fr. Ciswan De Croos

Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary TimeNational Laity Sunday

He replied and said to him, “Teacher all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus looking at him,... (Mark 10:20-21)

The Rosary - An Entirely Biblical Prayer“ItheLordwhosancti iesyouamHoly

(Leviticus 21:8). Hence this implies that the dwelling place of the Lord should equally be Holy. Thus when the Eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity was to be born of a woman could He be born to a woman lacking in holiness? Mary, was to bear God’s Son in her womb (Galatians 4:4) the incarnate Word (John 1: 1, 14). Hence it became necessary for Mary to be enriched with the requisite gifts appropriate for this role.

C.C.C. 492 “The splendours of an entirely unique holiness by which Mary is enriched from the moment of her conception” comes wholly from Christ. The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person. “In Christ with every spiritual blessing and chose her in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be Holy and blameless before Him in Love” (Ephesians 1: 3-4). Undoubtedly, Mother Mary was the Holy Living Tabernacle of the Lord.

“Mother of God”This title attributed to Mary by the

Catholic Church is one of the prime targets of “attack” by Christians “outside” the Catholic Church. They claim “How can God have a Mother?”

“And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me” (Luke 1:43). Thus Elizabeth acknowledged the very fact that the “one” Mary was carrying in her womb was the Lord (John 1:1) (The Word who is God) who became lesh (John 1:14,Philippians 2: 6-8) and dwelt among us (1 John 1:1-2). But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the Law (Galatians 4:4).

St. Thomas also exclaimed “My Lord and my God (John 20:28) to which Jesus never objected of him being called God. Mother Mary was present when Thomas exclaimed thus. “For in him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” ( Colossians 2:9). The Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. con irmedtheMotherhoodofMary.

“Pray for us sinners”“If anyone sees his brother sinning,

he shall pray to God who will give him life. (1 John 5:16)

“The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (James 5: 16). As such requesting prayers from Holy and Righteous people is perfectly Scriptural. Likewise, requesting the intercession of saints in praying to God is also Scriptural.

“All the saints will continue to pray for the whole number of baptised members in the mystical Body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12: 12-26, Hebrews 12: 1, Luke 9: 28, 29). The intercession of Saints for us in heaven is a spiritual

reality. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). Thus Mary being the Mother of God, Saint of all Saints also intercedes for us sinners. Hence we pray to her for sinners. St. Cyril quite rightly states “In the Eucharistic Prayer, we make mention of those who have already “fallen asleep”- Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, that through their prayers God will accept our Petition.

“Oh gentle chaste and spotless maidWe sinners make our prayers to thee”“Now”Mary our Mother loves us and

intercedes for us in every situation as of “Now”.

1. In Cana, she had to do something “Now” and not wait any longer since the situation demanded it. (John 2: 3-11)

2. Mary travelled to the Hill Country in haste (Luke 1: 39-40). She did not wait for a later opportunity to visit her cousin. She made the journey right “Now” and assisted Elizabeth in the household work for three full months (Luke 1:56). Here, her act of charity was immense and complete in that situation of “Now”. Thus what she practiced here on earth, she continues to ful ill fromheaven to all her childrenwho lock toher in prayer as she answers them “Now.”

“And at the hour of our death”Jesus had foretold to His disciples that

when His hour would come all of them would be scattered and He would be left alone (John 16: 32). However, Mary stood by Jesus risking her own life beneath the Cross, thus being a tower of strength to the dying Jesus, though sorrow like a sharp sword pierced her heart ( Simeon - Luke 2: 35). Jesus gave us His Mother (John 19: 27) both individually and collectively. Mary’s supportive presence did not end near the Cross, it went far beyond to the Ascension and to “the Upper Room” on that irst PentecostDay when the “Church” was born (Acts 1: 14, 2: 1-4). Thus she is the Mother of the Church and all creation. In thus capacity Mother Mary will certainly and most fervently pray for us sinners “At the hour of our death” just as she prayed for Jesus at the foot of the Cross without “giving up.” Hence, what a privilege we have in Mary?“Amen”Bythisweexpressour iat, learning

from Mary “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38). For, however many are the promises of God, their “Yes” is in Him. Therefore, our Amen also goes from us through Him to God for Glory (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Sun: 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time National Laity Sunday Wis. 7: 7-11; Hebr. 4: 12, 13; Mk. 10: 17-30 or 17-27Mon: Memorial of St. John XXIII, Pope Rom. 1: 1-7; Lk. 11: 29-32Tue: Rom. 1: 16-25; Lk. 11: 37-41Wed: Rom. 2: 1-11; Lk. 11: 42-46Thu: Memorial of St. Callistus I, Pope & Martyr Rom. 3: 21-30a; Lk. 11: 47-54Fri: Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor Rom. 4: 1-8; Lk. 12: 1-7Sat: Memorials of St. Hedwig, Religious & St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin Rom. 4: 13, 16-18; Lk. 12: 8-12Sun: 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time Is. 53: 10-11; Heb. 4: 14-16; Mk. 10: 35-45 ( or Mk. 10: 42-45)

Liturgical Calendar Year B - 10th Oct. - 17th Oct. 2021

by Roggy Corera

To be contd. on next week.

Contd. from last week...

First Reading: Wisdom 7: 7- 11Wisdom is placed above all riches

of this world. The author is blessed with wisdom of God and he prefers it to every other worldly blessing; power, gold, health and beauty are nothing compared to wisdom.

Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12, 13The Word of God is exalted above

all. It is alive and active and is also sharp. No man could hide himself from its power.

Gospel: Mark 10; 17- 30The Story of the rich man is

presented to us. This young man has kept all the Commandments but is not ready to sacri ice his riches. Thestory show how hard it is for a man who is attached to his riches to enter the kingdom of heaven. Though riches may be an obstacle to enter heaven we need not be upset about it as nothing is impossible with God.

Re lectionToday’s Readings remind us that

God’s gifts are more valuable than those of this world. Therefore we should value those gifts of God rather than those of this world. It is a fact that the blessings of this world give us happiness and satisfaction, but they are only temporary and hence liable to perish. On the contrary the blessings of the kingdom are everlasting and eternal. Hence; the need to prefer things that are divine.

In the First Reading the author is blessed with the wisdom of God, and he adores it. He prefers it to scepter and throne, signifying power. He counts wealth as nothing when compared to wisdom. He values wisdom more than silver and gold. Wisdom can well be compared to gold and silver to clay. He values this wisdom more than health and beauty and chooses to possess it. According to his thoughts every otherblessing lowsfromthisgift,thewisdom of God.

The Second Reading refers to the Word of God, which too is another of God’s blessings for the salvation of all mankind. It says, “the word of God is living and active, shaper than any two edged sword, piercing the divisions of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intention of the heart.” Therefore it is more powerful than words or messages of an eloquent speaker or of an ideologist.” That is the reason why we should always search into the Scriptures for guidelines and protection.

In the Gospel the rich young man has kept all of God’s Commandments but refused to give up his wealth in preference to the kingdom of God. He is attached to his wealth and there by falls short of the kingdom of God. Therefore Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Riches may appear as obstacles to enter heaven. They need not be; for all things are possible with God. But we need to be detached

from the things of this world if we are to be with the Lord. Whoever detaches himself from the world for the sake of the Lord will receive a hundred-fold now and possess eternal life too in the next.

Therefore let us always aspire to do things that please the Lord. And let us do it wholeheartedly.

Aid Story 1Many of us recall the dim-outs

and blackouts of World War II. In the interest of defense, most of our large cities appointed times when all lights were turned out, as preparatory practices of any possible air raid. Imagine the white way of New-York totally in darkness. Imagine all homes and streets lights turned off. It brought the war close to home in a way.One particular bene it of dim-

out in Los-Angeles, California, was experienced at the world’s greatest observatory on mount Wilson, which overlooks Los-Angeles, with all the city lights extinguished, observers were able to train there telescopes on many new stars, adding immensely to the knowledge of astronomy. Until that time the so called sky-line from the bright lights had reduced the distance the telescope could reach. The light blurred the photographic plates.

In the same manner, when the lights of the world burn brightly in the mind of man,itbecomesverydif icultto see the true light of the world. The bright pleasures of this life will usually blur and fog the vision of man to keep our spiritual gaze upon Christ. We must dim out the light of material life.

Aid Story 2“Calamities can bring growth and

enlightenment” said the Guru. And he explained it thus, every day a bird took shelter in the withered branches of a tree that stood in the middle of a vast deserted plain. One day a whirlwind uprooted the tree forcing the poor birdto lyahundredmilesinsearchofshelter;tillit inallycametoaforestoffruit-laden trees.”

And he concluded: “If the withered tree had survived, nothing would have induced the bird to give up its security and ly,”

SAYING. Some CATHOLICS as you say are SINFUL alright. But they are FAITHFUL. Your very leaving THE CATHOLIC CHURCH proves that even if you are HOLY, that you are UNFAITHFUL.

6 the Messenger October 10, 2021

...loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. go, sell all you have, and give to (the) poor... (Mark 10:21)

Bouncing Back From Losses the Christian Way

28th sUNdaY iN OrdiNarY tiME: MEditatiON (Mark 10:17-30) Year BRev. Fr. nilindra gunesekera

Today’s Gospel narrates of Jesus’ teaching on riches and poverty. The teaching is introduced by the story of the Rich Young Man. In our

meditation we place ourselves at the scene of the Gospel, to re-live it, and to be nourished and challenged by it, today. Picture in your mind that we are with Jesus who is once again, on the move. As Jesus sets out on the way, we see a young man come running and kneel before Him. As today’s Gospel narrates, as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and motherˊ’. And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth’. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’. At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God’. And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God’. Peter began to say to him, ‘Lo, we have left everything and followed you’. Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, there

is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:17-30).

The Gospel scene ends, but we continue our mediation. Picture in your mind Peter asking Jesus in private, ‘Master, what did the rich young man lack?’ Jesus replies, ‘The one thing lacking in his life was me. But to gain membership in my movement, and become a disciple he would have to rid himself the ‘mind-set’ that has been nurtured in the former dispensation of salvation. In the former dispensation of salvation, as the example of Job shows, a pious man was expected to prosper, and then serve as a benefactor for those in need (Job. 1:1-5; 29:1-25). In the former dispensation of salvation righteous living was thought to have its own ˋkick backsˊ. Being a benefactor would bring gratitude from the beneficiaries and a good reputation in society. In the new dispensation of salvation, I ask you, to divest yourselves from all this, and deprive yourselves of the role of benefactor so that you may depend on the providence of the divine benefactor. There are even greater blessings than riches on earth, and playing the benefactor. The rich young man was appalled at my proposal and went away sad. Attachment to wealth prevented him from becoming my disciple. He is constrained by the Law. I have come to fulfill the Law and bring it to completion’ (Matthew 5:17).

We are all amazed at this new teaching. According to the Torah, riches are a sign of divine favour and blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Jesus asks us again, ‘Do you understand why it is so difficult for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God? Not only do their riches bring them other benefits such as gratitude from

beneficiaries and a good reputation, they are lulled into a false sense of security because according to the Torah, riches are signs of divine favour and blessing. So, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Furthermore, if the rich who have leisure to study the Torah, and the resources to give alms, find it difficult to be saved, then how much more difficult it must be for everyone else. Indeed, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God. Alas, there are many who are smugly comfortable in their own self-righteousness! They will find themselves weeping and gnashing their teeth (Luke 13:28) as they realize that they have been locked out of the wedding banquet along with the five foolish virgins’ (Matthew 25:11-12).

We are astounded even more by these words spoken by Jesus. So, Peter asks, ‘Master, then who can be saved?’ Jesus replies, ‘With humans it is impossible, but not with God. It is my Father who initiates the process of salvation and invites human beings to enter the kingdom. Therefore, all is grace’. Peter asks, ‘Master, if so, why did we have to leave all and follow you? What will we receive in return?’ Jesus says, ‘You are assured of a hundred-fold recompense in this life, but with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life. The mystery of the cross hangs over the positive benefits of discipleship. Do not think that renunciation of family and friends, or power and position, will take away the cross. But, rejoice, for I am your reward’. Thomas exclaims, ‘Master, he who hears your word and keeps it will be blessed here on earth; he will be solid and secure as a house built upon rock. Blessed are they because greater recompense awaits them in the world to come’.

adjusting our perspectivesHardly anyone is exempted from financial setbacks

during this pandemic. How we handle a financial storm depends mostly on our attitude about whom the money belongs to in the first place. Do we view our money as ours? Or do we view it as blessings from and means for a higher end? Are not the things of this world a means for us to give glory to God, to love Him and to serve Him?

If we see our income as blessing from the Lord resulting from our efforts, it makes it much easier to navigate the turbulent waters of economic downturns and tough financial situations. Whether we lose or make money, it is all His and ultimately belongs to Him, and that is a truly liberating concept.

Let us make sure we are living prudently to begin with, staying within our means and not accumulating too much debt, and every day prayerfully entrusting it all to the Lord. Then we can encourage each other with Paul’s words in Philippians, as he gives glory to God, trusting Him in every situation, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (4:19).”

A serene attitude of acceptance paves the way for attaining inner peace beneath the present financial turmoil. If you suffer losses, accept the fact that this loss has really happened to you. Denial is a strong and protective mechanism. It helps to numb you against pain until you are ready to deal with it.

Sometimes you need to consciously make the move out of denial, though, and work toward acceptance. If you find yourself thinking, “Once things go back to normal, everything will be fine” or “Even if I’m earning

much less than what I made before, we can still live the same way we did before,” you are still in denial. It is time to intentionally assess your situation and accept its reality. Chances are things will not go back to where they were before. There will definitely be a new normal and we better be proactive in facing what comes next.

Surviving financial problemsThose parents who cannot do their jobs remotely,

like healthcare providers, have special challenges. Although they continue to be employed, they have the burden of looking for someone to watch over their kids while they are at work because the kids are now at home instead of in school. If they were not set up for online learning at home, they now must get internet connection which is an added expense. Of course, they also need new devices for their children to attend school. If there is more than one child at home, then one family laptop is not enough. Is there enough room in the house to accommodate children attending online classes? Unfortunately, access to the internet for many families is only through the mobile phone which is a challenging way to work or educate children.

There are practical matters that families in need can do. First, they must examine their expenses and reprioritize their spending. Rent, food, utilities, and insurance premiums should be on the top of the list. Next, they must apply for government assistance or hardship programmes offered by nonprofit groups. Finally, asking for a loan from family and friends may be an alternative although difficult emotionally.

Those who have lost their jobs should consider applying for other jobs including those that are not

within their field of experience. As the economy reopens, there are businesses that will be hiring so perhaps a position in a different field may not be so bad in the meantime. There will be a salary and benefits that will help a family in need. Others should consider learning new skills which may lead to future opportunities. This may be a time to learn coding or caring for the elderly.

Ways of coping

If a family has significant loans or credit card balances, there are several alternatives before defaulting on them. First, a person heavily in debt must consider paying only the minimum required for the month. This is an expensive alternative in the long run but is a viable option if money is tight. Another option is to contact the creditor directly and discuss options like refinancing or accepting an alternative payment plan. This is much better than not paying the loan which can have long-lasting adverse effects. Of course, asking for free legal advice from the government or nonprofit groups is a must.

For all segments including those with minimal financial worries, the prolonged lockdown has led to losses that are tough to measure. This is because of the change in routine and the loss of relationships, recreation, and social support. People have lost their sense of safety, predictability, and freedom. Many may not be able to cope with such losses on a prolonged basis and need help in dealing with grief. Such worries can impact physical and emotional health which may lead to anxiety or depression which can make one vulnerable to disease. Contd on Pg 13

7 the Messenger October 10, 2021

...and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, ... (Mark 10:21-22)

A Message from the national director of the Catholic national Commis-sion for the Laity in Sri Lanka.

May our lay faithful who are a Community of faith, Become a

‘Witnessing Community’!Today we celebrate one of the major events in the life of the Church - The National laity sunday.

Another important event in the Holy Mother the Church also takes place as she inaugurates the Synodal process in Vatican to listening to all of the baptized in and through a wider consultation in parish & diocesan levels in view of the synod of Bishops in 2023.

The Catholic National Commission for the Laity in Sri Lanka also has called the Lay Faithful to offer special prayers today, invoking the Blessings of God of Truth & Justice, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Patroness of Sri Lanka, with recitation of the Holy rosary in our families so that we could strive together towards seeking justice & consolation for the victims of the Easter sunday Bomb attacks & other victims subjected to various acts of injustices & harassments in our Motherland.

While we celebrate the Laity Sunday today we are reminded of the Second Vatican Council’s mandate to encourage the laity to be increasingly involved in the evangelizing mission of the Church.

It is very appropriate to remember the powerful words of our Holy Father in his special prayer intention for the month of October inviting every one of us to pray & witness to Christ. He says “Jesus asks us all to be missionary disciples. Work, meeting other people, our daily duties, and the chance events of each day"- these are the opportunities to be guided by the Holy Spirit, Other people easily take notice when our every action is motivated by Christ…And your testimony of life will inspire admiration, and admiration inspires others to ask themselves, 'How is

it possible for this person to be this way? I am very much convinced & confident that the above words are very appropriate & meaningful as we strive towards the ‘Empowerment’ of the Laity in the Church both spiritually & pastorally.

The theme for the National Laity Sunday this year invites us to ‘experience God in our families’. In fact, we all have witnessed the saving Power and Mercy of God during this deadly pandemic. Let us therefore continue to pray for God’s Mercy upon us and upon the whole world and for an end of this pandemic so that the lives of people will hopefully become normal.

My only wish and prayer for this annual celebration of the Laity Sunday is that our Lay Faithful who are a ‘Community of Faith’ remain faithful to the Lord and their Baptismal commitment and become a ‘Witnessing Community’ as “salt of the earth and light of the world” (Matthew 5/13-14)

May the Lord of Love bless all our Lay Faithful and empower them to fulfill their Mission which is to ‘SANCTIFY THE WORLD’ according to the 2nd Vatican Council.

May the lord of Mercy help us all in this regard!

Rev. Fr. Michael Rajendram,national director,

CnCL.

the “little flocks of Christ”, experiencing

God in their shelters

Each of our Christian families is one of the million cells that together constitute the Body of Christ

which is conventionally recognized and designated as the Universal Church. The global, national, diocesan and parish churches consist of these cells. Each of our families carries the memory of the mini church gathered around Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem. This is why we celebrate Christmas as our family celebration. The little family continued to be the mini church in the carpenter’s home at Nazareth. We of the “Household Churches” continue to gather around the Jesus.

Our wedding anniversary is the feast day of our household - mini church. It was on this gracious day, that we as spouses exercising our baptismal priesthood, pronounced our Eucharistic Words of Consecration upon each other “This is my body broken for you and my blood poured out for you”. From this moment we were transformed into one “Body of Christ” – the Church. We are blessed to proclaim – “We are the church”.

Each member of our family is permeated with God’s presence. Love is the expression we give to it. “God is love and when you live in love, you live in God and God lives in you” (1 John 4:16). Thus in our family when we love one another, we experience God in our family. It is accepted that Jesus is the cosmic architect and archetype of Forgiveness. When we are around Jesus in our family, Jesus unveils our power to heal, to love unconditionally, to create peace and to know God directly and intimately. In this troubled, tensed society, with Jesus in our families, each of our Christian households can aspire to be an oasis of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and harmony.

We are called to become evangelically poor and also to join the socially poor in their struggle for freedom. Each household church is called to be committed to take “the option to be poor” and “the option for the poor”. Option to be poor is opting for evangelical poverty – living a greedless life. We can adapt the prayers of the Proverbs (30:7-9).

“Give us neither poverty nor riches, but give us our daily bread (living). Otherwise we may have too much and disown you and say who is the Lord? Or we may become poor and steal and dishonour your name, our God”. Realizing this prayer our families commit to take the option to the poor.

We as Christian families recognize social poverty as a counter sign of God’s Reign. Therefore as a church of poor, each household church is called to join the struggle of the poor for freedom from enslaving poverty. Thus we commit ourselves to take the option to be poor.

As a lay apostle, my fervent wish on this National Laity Sunday is that our Catholic Church of Sri Lanka become a communion of “Little flocks of Christ” scattered among the various other religions functioning to be a sacrament of salvation.

Lerins PeriesSocial apostolate animator

Clergy serving at the Catholic National Commission for the laity (CNCl) sri lanka andinformation of the lay Members of the Catholic National Commission for the laity (CNCl) - sri lanka

Pg no. 12

May the lay faithful become more active and responsible in the pastoral ministry of the Church

Message from Chairman Catholic national Commission for Laity

I bring Laity Sunday Greetings from the Catholic National Commission for the Laity along with Bishops Vice Chairmen Most Rev. Harold Anthony Perera and Most Rev. Anton Ranjith and the National Director. I am extending prayerful wishes to all the lay faithful on this important day.

As we all know the National Laity Sunday this year, is restricted only to the family prayers. The restrictions keep us away from the Church services due to the pandemic situation. Yet, we are reminded about our baptismal calling for service and participation in the mission of the Church. Though we have not attended the Holy Mass in Churches for months, yet it provides us ample time while remaining at home to come gather for family prayers specially meditating upon the Word of God and reciting the Holy Rosary.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka has declared the month of October as a month for special prayer seeking God’s mercy and protection from Covid -19 through the intercession of blessed mother the

Queen of the Holy Rosary. Let us make full use of this opportunity to pray for our country and for the whole world.

On this day as we celebrate the Laity Sunday, the Holy Father, Pope Francis inaugurates the process of listening and consultation of all the members of the Church in view of the Synod of Bishops in 2023. In this process ‘listing’ (consulting) to the members of the lay faithful will be a priority.

Hence, I invite all the lay faithful to remember the calling you have received through your baptism and thereby become more active and responsible in the pastoral ministry of the participatory Church.

May the lord protect you with His love and mercy!

Rt. Rev. dr. noel Christian EmmanuelChairman

CnCL

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the National laity sunday

is celebrated on 10th of October.

8 the Messenger October 10, 2021

9 the Messenger October 10, 2021

10 the Messenger October 10, 2021

...to enter the kingdom of god!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, ... (Mark 10:23-24)

You are Not Too Young:

Sainthood Begins Now

By Basilio salinas

The Devil is real, and his squadrons of fallen angels are real. Their one goal is to ruin and destroy our relationship with God. That is a pretty dark

purpose do you not think? But here is the good news, even when we are young, we can lean on God’s promises and know that with Him we have victory. In the Bible, there is a dialogue between a very young man named Jeremiah and God. I do not know if there is another Scripture passage that I relate to more than this one. Jeremiah is talking to God and shares his fears for what God has planned for him. God tells Jeremiah about how he created him with a purpose and dedicated him way before he was even born. What strikes me here was Jeremiah’s response to God where he literally says something along the lines of, “but God, I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:6).

Ok PAUSE. First off, when God asks something of you, please do not respond with “But God…” We do this way too much, just making excuses for ourselves from doing God’s will. We begin to sell ourselves short from who we are. Remember that God knows our full potential and we let fears get in the way of becoming.

God responds to Jeremiah saying, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:7-8). This promise alone should be enough for any young person to stand tall upon and fearlessly approach the world.

Viva Cristo reyAlmost 100 years ago the persecution of Catholic

Christians took place in the state of Mexico. This persecution took place in the 1920s and was forced

into existence by the Mexican president at the time. Essentially he thought that the Catholic Church was “too much” of an influence on Mexico and he did not like that. So he decided to wipe out as much of the Catholic Church as he possibly could. Soldiers would enter Church’s during masses and execute all who were present and begin to destroy and set fire to these Churches throughout Mexico.

A group of Catholics decided to revolt and protected the Church against the Mexican government and formed a revolutionary group known as the “Cristeros.” They would grow in numbers and help prevent and stop the Mexican government from doing more damage than

they had already done. During the rise of the Cristero movement, there was a young 14-year-old boy by the name of Jose Sanchez Del Rio whose heart became inflamed for the Lord and His Church. He decided to join the movement despite his parent’s wishes.

In one particular moment, he led the frontline for the army, carrying their beloved flag against the enemy. In that battle, he noticed that his commander was knocked off of his horse, so Jose decided to give his commander his horse so he can get up and keep fighting while Jose hid and waited for the battle to be over. Unfortunately, a soldier found Jose and held him captive. They took him back and began to torture him trying to get him to say “Muerte a Cristo Rey” or “Death to Christ the King.” No

matter what they would do to him, he never gave in to say it.

On the contrary, he would actually scream out as loud as he possibly could, the Cristero’s roar, “VIVA CRISTO REY.” One day they decided to cut off the bottom of his feet and walked him through the dirt roads of Mexico to his grave for the whole city to see what happens to those who go against the government. Once arriving at his grave miles away from where he first was they gave him one last chance to denounce Christ and His Church while holding a gun against his back. Jose decided not to and said one last time, ‘Viva Cristo Rey”. It was then when they stabbed him in the back. Jose fell onto the wet ground and right before they shot him dead he drew a tiny cross into the dirt ground and said, “I’m coming home.” They shot him and killed him. St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio was 14 years old and was canonized by Pope Francis on October 16th, 2016.

saints in the MakingYou and I have been called

from before we were in our mother’s wombs to be holy saints. God has a plan for us, and that plan is now. You see, the youth ministry programme that I came from has been running with young teens as their core members for over a decade. If you are a high school teen and want to get involved in some way for your church, I highly recommend asking your youth minister where you can help and how you can get more involved. All we have is now;

we are not promised another day, so why wait? God desires all of you right here, right now, precisely at the age you are. There is nothing He wants from us more than to give ourselves to Him fully, in every phase of life we live.

We are all “saints in the making” and if we remember our daily call to sainthood then maybe, just maybe, we could all be “little s” saints of today, until we become the “big s” saints of tomorrow! You have so much potential and are more than capable of attaining this today. Seek grace through confession, holy friendships, prayer, and above all the Mass. You are not too young for sainthood.

You can do it, ViVa CristO rEY!

the acclaimed novelist loved the Blessed Mother and considered her the standard for beauty

Have you read the world acclaimed ‘The Lord of the Rings’? Did you ever notice the interesting Catholic trivia hidden within it? For instance,

did you know that the date when Frodo finally destroys the ring is March 25? That day happens to be the Feast of the Annunciation, the day on which Christ was conceived and began the process of overthrowing evil once and for all. Or, did you know that the Lembas (the special Elven bread) is strangely similar to the Eucharist? These allusions to Catholicism are not surprising. After all, Tolkien was a committed Catholic whose faith was central to the way he viewed the world. He says,”Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament.” With The Lord of the Rings, he did not set out to write a specifically Catholic novel, but later admitted that it did turn out to be,“a fundamentally

religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”

My favourite bit of Catholicism that seeps through into the books is the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The elf Galadriel is not strictly speaking an analogy for the Blessed Virgin – meaning she is not simply a character that is Mary in disguise — but she shares a number of characteristics with Mary. Tolkien considered her the “greatest of elven women,” in the same way we might consider Mary to be the greatest of all saints. She is a queen, a mother, and often appears as a miraculous helper. Sometimes, she is simply referred to as, “The Lady of Light.“

These are clear references to the Blessed Virgin. Mary shares all of these characteristics. She often appears to those in need to offer aid, which is why one of her titles is, “Mother of Perpetual Help.” The most interesting

image of Galadriel occurs in The Two Towers, when she appears as an apparition to Sam and offers assistance. Tolkien writes, “Far off, as in a little picture drawn by elven-fingers, he saw Lady Galadriel standing on the grass in Lorien, and gifts were in her hands. And you, Ringbearer, he heard her say, remote but clear, ‘for you I have prepared this.’” She then reminds Sam that he has a miraculous light that will cast out the darkness and all the evil creatures who dwell in it. Sam uses it and he and Frodo are saved.

Tolkien really loved Mary. He even translated the Hail Mary into an elven language. Above all, he considered her to be the standard for beauty, which is why he describes Galadriel as surpassingly beautiful. In a letter to a priest friend, Father Robert Murray, who had pointed out the similarities between Mary and Galadriel, Tolkien writes, Contd on Pg 13

11 the Messenger October 10, 2021

...“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of god! It is easier for a camel to pass through (the) eye of (a) needle... (Mark 10:24-25)

Church renewal Movementsby Rev. Msgr. Robinson Wijesinghe

Article 24

Health relatedissues in sri lanka

by dr. Maxie FernandopulleEmail: maxiefernandopulle@gmail.com

KNOW YOUr BraiN

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is composed of the nerves arising from

the spinal cord and the ten cranial nerves arising from the brain. The brain is about three pounds in weight, lies within the head protected by the skull bones. It interprets information from outside. Intelligence, creativity, emotion and memory are governed by it. The brain receives information from outside through our five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing, often many at a time. It assembles the messages in a way that has meaning for us and can store that information in our memory. The three main components of the brain are the cerebrum, cerebellum and the brainstem.

the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is composed of two halves, the right and the left hemispheres. Each controls the opposite side of the body functions. If you get a stroke affecting the left hemisphere by thrombosis of left carotid artery, the right side of the body gets weakened or paralysed. It performs higher functions and movement. Not all functions are shared. The left controls speech, comprehension, arithmetic and writing. The right controls creativity, spatial ability, artistic and musical skills. The left is dominant in hand and language use in 92% of individuals.

the cerebellum is located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture and balance.

the brain stem acts as a relay centre connecting the cerebrum and the cerebellum to the spinal cord. It performs many functions like breathing, heart beat and rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting and swallowing. The brain stem is connected to the cerebrum and cerebellum. The pons is a horseshoe shaped mass of transverse nerve fibers that connect the medulla to the cerebellum. The brain stem continues as medulla oblongata to the spinal cord.

Each cerebrum is divided into four lobes. The frontal lobe controls personality, behaviour, emotion, judgement, planning, problem solving, speech. It interprets signals from vision, hearing, movements, sensation, memory, spatial and visual perception. The occipital lobe controls vision. The temporal lobe controls memory, hearing, sequencing, organization and understanding language.

The surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex. It has a folded appearance with hills and valleys. Each cerebral cortex has 16 billion nerve cells and the

cerebellum has 70 billion that are arranged in layers. Beneath the cortex are long nerve fibres that connect one brain area to another. Messages can travel from one part to another and to deeper structures in the brain.

The brain and the spinal cord is covered with three membranes, outer most called the dura mater followed by arachnoid mater and the innermost pia mater.

the Ventricles. The brain has fluid containing cavities called the ventricles. The fluid is called the cerebro spinal fluid (CSF). The fluid flows within the brain and around the brain under the arachnoid mater. The two ventricles in the cerebral hemispheres are called the lateral ventricles. They are connected to the third ventricle lying below the cerebrums. The third ventricle in turn is connected to the fourth ventricle situated lower down in the base of the brain which in turn is connected to the canal in the spinal cord through which the fluid flows right down to the end of the spinal cord. So does the fluid under the arachnoid mater. A disruption or blockage in the system can cause enlargement of the ventricles compressing the cortical nerve cells and enlarging the head resulting in a condition called Hydrocephalus. Extra fluid in the spinal canal results in a condition called Syringomyelia.

deeper structures Hypothalamus: It is located on the floor of the third

ventricle and is the master controller of important functions like the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and sexual response. It plays a role in controlling behaviour such as hunger, thirst, sleep. It also regulates

body temperature, blood pressure, emotion and secretion of hormones.

Pituitary gland: Lies in a small pocket in the skull base. It is connected by a stalk to the hypothalamus. Known as the ‘master gland’, it controls the other glands in the body that produce hormones. It secretes hormones that control sexual development, promotes bone and muscle growth and response to stress.

Pineal gland: It is located behind the 3rd ventricle. It helps to regulate body’s internal clock system and is affected by light and darkness to decide on functions such as sleep and waking. It also has role in sexual development.

Thalamus: Serves as a relay station to the messages that comes and goes to the cerebral cortex. It plays a role in pain sensation, alertness and memory.

Basal ganglia: Work with the cerebellum to coordinate fine movements such as fingertip movements.

Limbic system: Is the centre for emotion, learning and memory.

Cranial nerves number in Roman numericals followed by name and function;

I.Olfactory – Smell. II. Optic – Sight. III. Oculomotor – Moves eye and pupil of eye. IV. Trochlear. – Moves eye. V. Trigeminal – Face sensation. VI. Abducens - moves eyeVII. Facial – Moves face and salivation VIII. Vestibulo cochlear – Balance and hearingIX. Glossopharyngeal – Taste and smell. X. Vagus – Heart rate & digestion. Xi. Accessory—Moves head. XII. Hypoglossal—Moves tongue.

Blood circulation Arterial supply by two paired arteries- internal carotid to cerebrum and vertebral to the cerebellum, brain stem under side of cerebrum. Vein collectors are intergrated to the dura mater to form sinuses which drain to the jugular vein in the neck.

skull The purpose of the bony skull is to protect the brain from injury. There are eight bones separated at birth and later fuse together. The face is formed by 14 paired bones. Inside the skull there are three distinct areas called– anterior, middle and posterior fossae.

Can the Catholic charismatic renewals exist without the Catholic Church? The Catholic Church is trinitarian by its very nature. We cannot speak of God the Father without reference to God the Son. We cannot speak of the God the Holy Spirit without reference to God the Father and God the Son. Salvation history is a process, a journey; a gradual revelation of God the Creator through God the Redeemer in God the Sanctifier in a journey of life of a people. The human person is incapable of explaining his/her past, present and future, i.e. in other words, his/her whole existence without reference to the Holy Trinity in the history of the universe and humanity. Cardinal Walter Kasper says that “the confession of faith in one God

in three persons is rightly regarded as proper and specific to Christian faith in God”. It is the Christian form of speaking about God. He affirms that to speak about God in the trinitarian formula claims to express the eschatologically definitive and universal truth about God (cf. The God Jesus Christ, 2012, p.233). The trinitarian confession is therefore the recapitulation and summery of the entire Christian mystery of salvation. The Cardinal says that becoming a Christian, like being a Christian, is unconditionally linked to the trinitarian confession. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the mystery of the Church. Saint John writes in his Gospel chapter 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you

another Paraclete to be with you for ever. John 15:26 “When the Paraclete comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness (cf. also John 16:13-14).

The New Testament gives an unequivocal answer to the question, left open in the Old Testament, as Cardinal Water Kasper says, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the eternal Thou of the Father, and that in the Holy Spirit we are accepted into the communion of love that exists between the Father and the Son (cf. Cardinal Walter Kasper, ibid, p. 243). Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), discussing on “The mystery of the Church” in the Dogmatic Constitution of Vatican II “Lumen Gentium”, explains

that what is understood by ‘mystery’ is that the Church is part of the ‘mystery’ of God. That means, according to the New Testament manner of speaking, the same thing as a part of God’s work of salvation (cf. Life in the Church and Living Theology, 2007, USA, pp 39ff). Saint Paul proclaims Christ as the one and only eschatological sign of God’s salvation for humanity. In Christ, God’s eternal plan of redemption is realised once and for all. The recipient of this salvific mystery is the Church, the communion of those who have been called and sanctified by God.

The terminology of ‘mystery of the Church’ has been debated during the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, as

Contd on Pg 13

12 the Messenger October 10, 2021

...than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of god.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,... (Mark 10:25-26)

INFORMATION OF THE LAY MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC NATIONAL COMMISSION

FOR THE LAITY (CNCL) - SRI LANKA - 1. rEPrEsENtatiVEs from the Catholic diocesan Commission for the laity (CdCl)

Gen diocese Names & address No

01 Anuradhapura Mr. Delasalle Wickramasekara Mr. R. G. Francis

02 Badulla Mr. S. Laurence Mr. P. Malcolm 03 Batticoloa Mr. J. Shanthakumar Mr. Louies Sasikumar

04 Chilaw Mrs. Nilanthi S Perera Mr. Kingsley Alwis 05 Colombo Mr. Keerthi Peiris Mr. Immanuel Susitha

06 Galle Mr. Edward Kennedy Ms. Thamara Nandani

07 Jaffna Mr. Mariampillai Denicius Miss. Florence Ranjini

08 Kandy Mr. Godfrey Jayaweera Mr. Dass Fernando

09 Kurunegala Mr. Wasantha Kumar Perera Mr. George Katugampola

10 Mannar Mr. Antnonipillai Philippupillai Ms. R. Shanthini Casimir

11 Ratnapura Mr. Ivan D Silva Mr. Selvaraj

12 Trincomalee Mr. A. Arulthas

1. EXECUtiVE MEMBErs

No designation Names

01 Chairman Most Rev. Dr. Christian Noel Emmanuel 02 Vice Chairman Most Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera 03 Vice Chairman Most Rev. Dr. Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam04 National Rev. Fr. Michael Director Rajendram

2. diOCEsaN dirECtOrs Of CNCl

No diocese Names

01 Anuradhapura Rev. Fr. Srilal Fernando02 Badulla Rev. Fr. Dilex Fernando03 Batticoloa Rev. Fr. Ignasi Joseph04 Chilaw Rev. Fr. Alex Weerasooriya05 Colombo Rev. Fr. Claude N. Nonis06 Galle Rev. Fr. Sebastian Nagarajah07 Jaffna Rev. Fr. Joseph John Mavulis08 Kandy Rev. Fr. J. Christy Paul09 Kurunegala Rev. Fr. Nihal Obris 10 Mannar Rev. Fr. S. Emilianuspillai11 Ratnapura Rev. Fr. Emil Dinesh Fernando12 Trincomalee Rev. Fr. G. Nithithasan

CLERGY SERVING AT THE CATHOLIC NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE LAITY (CNCL) SRI LANKA.

3. NatiONal dirECtOrs / CHaPlaiNs Of laY aPOstOlatEs / laY MOVEMENts

No Name of the Organization designation Name

01 ASIPA National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Hycinth Tissera As-ian I-ntegral P-astoral A -pproach02 FAMILY Apostolate National Director Rev. Fr. Claude Nonis03 NCYF YOUTH Front National Director Rev. Fr. Malcolm Perera 04 LEGION of Mary National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Jude Shyaman Fernando05 MARRIAGE National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Ashok Priyantha Perera Encounter Sri Lanka06 UNIVERSITY National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Ruwan Perera OMI Students’ Movement 07 HOSPITAL Chaplaincy National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Jude Roshan OMI08 DOCTORS’ Guild National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Crispin Leo09 LAWYERS’ Guild National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Noel Dias10 WRITERS’ Guild National Director Rev. Fr. Lal Pushpadewa Fernando11 SSVP National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Michael Rajendram12 CRL National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Michael Rajendram13 CNAL National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Tony Martyn Catholic National Association of Laity 14 CURUSILLO Moderator Rev. Fr. Tony Martyn Short course lived Christian 15 LAKRIVI National Director

4. Other representatives16 CMRS President Rev. Fr. Dilan Fernando SSS17 CMRS Representative Sr. Devika Perera18 EXCO Rev. Fr. Leo Perera Catholic national Commission for the Laity

2. rEPrEsENtatiVEs from the lay apostolate & lay Movements

Gen Name of the Name & addressNo Organization 01 ASIPA Mr. Nimal Perera As-ian I-ntegral Mr. Cyril Andrado P-astoral A -pproach02 National FAMILY Apostolate Mr. Nihal Silva Mrs. Shyamali Silva03 NCYF Miss. Tharika Fernando Youth Front Mr. Charith Rodrigo Bulupitiya, Uhumeeya, Kurunegala.04 LEGION of Mary Mr. Indran Devasagayam Mr.Constantine Bastiampillai05 World Wide Mr. Ivan D. Silva MARRIAGE Encounter Mrs. Marie Averil Silva Sri Lanka 06 UNIVERSITY Students’ Mr. Sumudu H. Tissera Movement Mr. Dilakshan Perera07 HOSPITAL Mr Palitha Fernando Chaplaincy Mrs. Nilanthi R Fernando08 DOCTORS’ Guild Dr. Maithri Perera Dr. Anthony Mendis09 LAWYERS’ Guild Mrs. Swarna Fernando Mr. Duthika Perera 10 WRITERS’ Guild Mr. Cyril Enderamulla Mr. Linton Fernando11 SSVP – Society of Mrs. Cherryl Silva St Vincent de Paul Mr. Anthony S David12 CNAL Mr. Yu-Hwa-Li Catholic National Association Mrs. Cristobel of Laity Savarimuththu 13 CURUSILLO Mr. Olington Fernando Short course lived Christian Mr. Russul Juriansz14 CRL - Mr. Lalith Perera Community of the Risen Lord Mr. Inuk Jayasuriya15 EX CO Member Mr. Victor Silva16 General Secretary CNCL Mrs. Charmaine Peiris Catholic national Commission for the Laity

“The time is now. The mission of the laity is not a privilege of a few and it involves total

dedication,” Pope Francis wrote in the foreword to

the recently published book “Symphony of Ministries: A renewed presence of laity in

the Church,” by Bishop Fabio Fabene.

Pope Francis called the laity to “take a step forward” in carry-ing out the Church’s mission of evangelization.” The laity themselves are asked to be

joyful in self-giving and prayer, to grow

and to operate within the Christian community to share

and support their journey, the mutual exchange of gifts aroused by the Holy Spirit,”

the Pope said.

Pope Francis stressed the importance of

“the co-responsibility of the laity in the building up of the Church,” as highlighted

in St. John Paul II’s 1988 exhortation

“Christifideles laici. (CNA)

The Mission of the Laity

13 the Messenger October 10, 2021

... “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “for human beings it is impossible, but not for god.” (Mark 10: 26-27)

Contd. from Pg. 10The acclaimed novelist loved...“I think I know exactly what you mean … by your references to Our Lady, upon which all my own small perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded.”

That is an audacious claim, to say that Mary is the foundation upon which all other beauty is built. What does he mean by this? He probably does not mean that she is the most physically beautiful woman who has ever lived. He is referring to an inner beauty, a beauty of soul. This is why he talks about her majesty, which in the Catholic tradition is based in her humble obedience to God’s call, and her simplicity, by which he means her life as intensely focused on love alone, suffering no complicating distractions. Mary’s physical beauty is a reflection of her beautiful soul.

Yes, Tolkien’s claim is shocking at first, but it is a truly Catholic claim. For instance, the Venerable Fulton Sheen says something similar;

“Mary’s beautiful purity must have been such that it attracted less the eyes than the souls of men … It is

very likely that a human eye, looking on Mary, would scarcely have been conscious that she was beautiful to the eye. Just as corrupt men are made pure in thought by the sight of an innocent child, so all fleshly thoughts would have been left behind, by one vision of the Immaculate Mother.”

He is saying the same thing as Tolkien, that her simple beauty becomes the foundation for purifying the minds of those of us who look to her. If our lives are made beautiful, if our souls begin to glow with love, it is because we first saw the beauty of our spiritual Mother.

The way Tolkien describes Mary’s beauty helps us to define what it really is. It has nothing to do with physical looks or flattering clothes; it has everything to do with the way the soul shines through and makes a person beautiful inside and out. Beauty is pure, innocent, graceful, and transcendent. It is radiant with love. If we too would be beautiful, the first place to adorn is our interior life. In this, we can have no better example than the Blessed Virgin.

(Aleteia)

Contd. from Pg. 11Church Renewal...Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger expounds, in order to clarify the idea of the visibility of the Church in contrast to the Protestant view of ‘hidden Church’ emerging from the so-called Reformation (Ibid, p. 42). The word ‘mystery’ has been used by the Vatican II in fact to underline complex reality of the Church. The Vatican II document Lumen Gentium no. 8 states: The society structured with hierarchical organs and the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the visible society and the spiritual community…, are not to be considered as two realities; rather, they form one complex reality which coalesces from a human and a divine element”. Lumen Gentium explicitly states that Christ instituted His Church on earth as a visible structure and He unceasingly sustains her. This specific nature of the Church, inseparably united to Christ, serves the divine Word as a living organ of salvation and so, in a somewhat similar way, the social structure of the Church does serve the Spirit of Christ, who vivifies it, in the building up of the body (cf. Lumen Gentium, no.11, Ephesians 4:15-16). The sociological reality of the Church and her mystery, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger says, are mutually complimentary and they indeed permeate one another, since the Church is the kingdom of Christ now present in mystery and grows visibly through the power of God in the world (Ibid, p.43, Lumen Gentium no.5).

The Catholic charismatic renewals or any other so-called Catholic association or communities cannot therefore in anyway exist in contradiction, without their reference, to this mystical body of Christ, sociologically and mystically structured at Christ’s will. The mysterium-nature of the Church is fundamentally brought into focus by three particular perspectives such as “Christ and the Church”, “Sacrament”, and “Unity”. There cannot be therefore any renewal or association or community, which, arising from the reality of the Church, can tarnish or destroy this foundational and fundamental components of the reality of the same Church. Those who speak of Catholicity or being a faithful of the Catholic Church in terms of admittance to Catholic schools or burial in Catholic cemeteries are foundationally wrong and are misleading blind guides. They have not understood anything of being Catholic or Catholic charismatic at all. They are a danger to both the Church and the charismatic renewals too. Pope Francis in fact stated in June 2019 that the charismatic renewal is born of the will of the Spirit as a current of grace in the Church and for the Church. The Pope says that division comes from the devil. The Renewal should instead seek unity, because unity comes from the Holy Spirit and is born of the unity of the Holy Trinity (June 1, 2014). The exultation of Jesus on the Cross is simultaneously the sacramental origin of the Church and the sacramental basis for the unity of all men and women with one another and with God. This unity is made present upon the altar: one bread and one Body. The Church is not only the administrator of sacramental means of grace but is herself like a sacrament. She is never an end in herself. Her visible, tangible hierarchical constitution is at the service of the invisible reality of grace and faith (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Ibid, p. 54).

Despite all theological and ecclesiological analysis and clarifications there can be always enthusiastic schismatic tendency evident in the charismatic movement (cf. David Middlemiss, Interpreting charismatic experience, 1996, UK, pp. 11-13). The feeling of superiority among the charismatic in contrast to the nominal baptized Catholic who do participate at Sunday Masses and recite the Holy Rosary in family and service the parish communities is reality a sign of inferiority complex or a sign of uncertainty. Attacks on the organization structure of the Church and its authorities are evident signs of misunderstanding, misconceptions and misguide.

To be continued…

Contd. from Pg. 6Bouncing Back From...

People need to realize that the change in routine for a prolonged period is like dealing with death because it is the “death” of one’s former life. They will go through the five phases of death according to the Swiss psychiatrist Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, then acceptance (DABDA). In order to adjust to the

new situation, people need human support which they can get by staying connected with family and friends even if it is just through Zoom. Having a new routine is important which should include regular mealtimes, exercise, worship, and sleep. A creative hobby or a home project should also be a part of the day. If things are too much to handle, then talking to a counsellor via telehealth or a spiritual adviser should be considered.

‘Messenger’ the Catholic paper

in every Catholic home

Contd. from Pg. 1Catholic media in...

“At present the people of this country have to face immense problems. At the same time a corrupt administration is in place. That is a tragedy that we have faced since the independence. We were unable to get justice to the victims of Easter Sunday attack.”

“As a religious institution, the need of the hour is to be sensitive towards the issues of the people and act based on our Catholic teachings in order to bring relief to the people. It is also the challenge we face today.”

His Eminence thanked and appreciated the efforts of the Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando, Director Colombo Catholic Press and the Editor of Messenger, Gnanartha Pradeepaya and Lama Pradeepaya for the numerous achievements and accomplishments of the institution under his administration.

The new Facebook page, Facebook.com/colombocatholicpress was also launched at the function. Appreciation of television and radio stations for their contribution during the pandemic to keep the flame of faith alive by telecasting and broadcasting Holy Mass and other religious programmes, was held.

Contd. from Pg. 1A Sri Lankan Appointed...

Father Tirimanna who teaches moral theology at the National Seminary in Ampitiya and at the pontifical universities of Alfonsianum and Urbaniana in Rome is among the three Asian theologians appointed to this Commission.

This synodal process lasting some two years - which involves the whole Catholic Church- is a part of the vision of Pope Francis to renew Church life as wished by the Second Vatican Council some six decades ago. Its main purpose is to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks through all the baptized in walking together as one People of God.

Prayer to Our lady of the rosaryask Mary to accompany you in the recitation of the rosary and

inspire you to take your prayer into your daily actions.

The Rosary is a beloved prayer among Catholics around the world. It is a meditative aid that can bring people closer to Jesus, through His mother,

Mary.Here is a prayer from the early 20th century that

asks the Virgin Mary to accompany us in our recitation of the Rosary.

O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosa-ry may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagi-nation, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the holy

Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.

iN lOViNG MEMOrY Of Mrs. HYaCiNtH MOlliGOda Appreciation

The essence of her beautiful presence

could be captured in one sentence: “An Angel who walked the earth, a quiet, unassuming, gentle soul, compassionate beyond measure, and yet, the strongest person we have ever known in our lives, whose simple unadulterated faith moved all our mountains for us. That is our mother.

If we were to ask as to what they remember the most about our mother; they would invariably say: ‘her quiet gentle smiling kind presence’. When she passed away, many including our childhood friends, told us /wrote to us to say, that she, certainly is in Heaven.

Her tremendous compassion for all is full of memories. Her many in-Laws loved her, and she loved her sons-in-law and their extended families as well. A standard joke of our father’s, was, if there was a large and formidable beggar group who would refuse to speak to him, should he answer the door bell, would demand to see ‘Madam’ instead.

Aunty Rita, once told us that our mother was remarkably an intelligent

person by birth, and that, had the circumstances of her childhood been different, ‘she would have ended up as a doctor.’ Instead, her intelligence actually transcended academic, professional, career and other worldly achievements, to embrace the very essence and meaning of life. Her memory, which no one in the family would ever dare challenge, captured and retained the most minute of details. It was indeed her wisdom which made her so diplomatic, so dignified, and enabled her to have such clarity of thought.

She would not become overly ecstatic about any ‘achievement’ of ours, nor sad over any ‘failure.’ She would cry with us over the loss of a pet, go to any corner of the world with us, despite her own illnesses, worry, she

thinks of us. A mother who was able to say ‘I just want my child to be happy’ and means it. She was all that we could aspire to be, as young mothers ourselves.

Ammi has been through a lot in life. She lost her mother; lost her two brothers quite early in her life; lost her first born child, our Akki, within one and a half months. We wonder how she mustered the strength to carry on, so happy with us without being crushed by all this. She suffered with Arthritis in both her knees, and underwent a knee replacement surgery. Her bones being heavily osteoporotic, a revision surgery was advised by all doctors. Her doctors predicted that she would be bed ridden and wheelchair bound ‘any day’, adding it would be a miracle if she were able to stand, let alone walk. The day prior to when she was taken to the ICU, she got off the bed to use the bedside toilet, with her non-existent knee joint and her lungs completely gone with pneumonia. She is truly our personal example of the saying that it is always ‘mind over matter.’

Her inner strength was fuelled by her tremendous faith. Her confidence in the

providence of our Lord was complete. We have never seen her have a meal without a silent prayer, in thanksgiving for each meal of ours, till the very last meal she had before she was moved to the ICU. Her silent prayers made many miracles possible in our lives over the years.

The greatest tribute to her came in the following simple words of our father. He, summarized her tremendous strength and faith in one brief sentence telling us: ‘Putha, I always wished I would go before her, she built up this family with me’. That’s our father, who was always the buzzing worker bee, who earned, planned, and executed all his life, paying homage to Ammi’s quiet strength that held us all together as a rock. Her faith moved all the mountains for us, as he acknowledged her as more than his equal partner in all that we are as a family today.

Even in the ICU, after the initial doctors simply wrote to say: ‘she would not get through the day; but while many younger ‘statistically more promising’ patients succumbed, our amazing mother held on, beat her

pneumonia, and never needed intubation, dialysis or any other invasive step. Many doctors began to consider the possibility of her beating her illness, adding cautiously that ‘it would be a miracle’ if she were to do so. She made even them think of miracles. She was conscious till her last breath. Every time I saw her in the ICU she acknowledged me and all that I managed to utter. As my sister said one day, the doctors would look at this gentle quiet patient, and never know the resolve and the iron strength that lies within. So true. So very true.

The battle was long and hard and one night, when I went to see her in the ICU, I felt she was telling me that she is tired, and she wants to go to God. She had a solitary tear in her eye. A vibe I had never felt from her before. I came out and cried my heart out. My friend, a young doctor, whose father was fighting for his life in the ICU, asked me why, for my mother’s reports were so good, compared to her father’s. But when she left us early next morning, with a cardiac arrest, the doctor in attendance said,

it was quick; she may not even have felt it. I knew it. The night before, she was saying good bye to us, that she was going to answer her Maker’s call.

Ammi, we respect, you chose to answer God’s call. We accept the inevitability of a life without you one day. We thank God for every minute of every day what God gave us through you.

Ammi, you lived your life with a deep understanding and you left prepared to meet your Maker. We know you are now in Heaven, smiling down on us, our own Saint.

As we go through the rest of our lives, trying desperately knowing you keep watching over us from Heaven, we promise, that everything we do in life will be a tribute to you and a step taken to be with you in God’s presence.

We love you Ammi and may you Rest in Peace.

Kaushalya and Chathuranga, with our father Mahesh, our husbands, Harsha and dilshan; children Chrishane, aryana and aayushka.

14 Messenger October 10, 2021