OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, LUNUGALA, BADULLA, SRI LANKA.

A BRIEF REPORT AND INFORMATION OF THE PARISH AT LUNUGALA

Given by Fr. Eugene Benedict, O.M.I.

Rev.Fr. Benedict Eugene, OMI

(B.Th., S.T.L., Rome).

Parish Priest,

(Councilor, Diocesan Director for

Family Apostolate, Editor of

Neerodai Paper, In-charge of L. of

Mary and Formation & Vocation)

Our lady of Lourdes Church,

Lunugala,

Sri Lanka.

Contact Numbers:

Email : eugeneomi@yahoo.com

Land Ph: +94552263937

H.Ph : +94774074736

Skype : eugenebenedict

Web site: UP COUNTRY MISSION

A Brief Background history of Lunugala:

Lunugala Parish is situated in the Hilly areas of Sri Lanka within the Diocese of Badulla. The

parish of Lunugala is essentially a parish surrounded by tea estates numbering approximately 17

of them, at the height of 2245 feet to 3000 above the near sea level.

The labour force involved in the tea industry of Sri Lanka was brought down from South

India about 180 years ago by the then rulers of the country the Britishers. The present generation

of the estate workers is the descendants of the South Indian Tamils, who continue to contribute a

very big share to the economy of the country. But it is so evident that these people who have

been considered as the backbone of the country’s economy, they themselves are at the lowest ebb

of the society economically, socially and politically. It is so unfortunate that neither the

Britishers, nor the subsequent Sri Lankan majority governments paid any interest in uplifting

these unfortunate people of the plantation Sector. Though few Non-Governmental Organizations

have started working among the plantation areas since recently, the progress made is kept at a

snail-pace.

Our Lady Of Lourdes Church:

It has seemed to me that serving in the Parish of Lunugala is very special. Our service is

needed not only by the small Catholic communities of the Parish spread over in the tea Estates,

but also by all the other people of other religions too.

Rev. Fr. Provincial, OMI, gave me to His Lordship the Bishop of Badulla, Rt. Rev. Dr.

Winston Fernando, SSS, in November 2011. And the Bishop appointed me as the Parish Priest

of Lunugala on 20th

November 2011.

Address of Substations and Number of Catholics in each substation:

Adawatte -36

13th

Post Adawatte-19

Sonagagama -19

Elrado- 21

Lunugalagama- 30

Police Quarters-13

Park Estate-35

Sumuthugama-06

Lunugala Town-03

Shawlands-45

Shawlands, U.D-04

Keyelwatte-05

Ambalangoda-08

Bulugoola-08

Keenagoda-13

Hopton-06

Swinton-26

To further help people’s worship and prayer life, we have mass and other spiritual activities

twice a month in some places and once in a month in some places.

Composition of Parish population with non-Catho0lics, and language gruops:

Number of catholic Families – 297

(Tamil -293, Sinhala -4)

Number of Catholics in the Parish – 1941

(Men – 1052, Women – 889)

Number of Inhabitans – Sinhala – 16225

Tamil - 18776

Muslims – 1699

Addresses of Religious houses and number of religious in the parish:

One religious congregation – Apostolic Carmel Congregation

The Carmel Sisters,

A.C. Convent,

Our lady Of Lourdes Church,

Lunugala,

Badulla,

Sri Lanka.

House Visiting and Holy Mass:

After my appointment I started visiting the houses of our parishioners wherever they were and on

occasion their neighbours. Along with house visiting, holy mass was offered daily. Every year I

was able to continue this. This has helped the people to deepen their faith. Sacraments were

given regularly. The religious sisters too helped me with their cooperation to fulfill this mission.

(Family books were given to the faithful)

Pious Associations:

To get the people involved in parish activities pious associations were formed according to

the needs of different age groups. The associations thus formed were:

1. The Society of the Holy Childhood.

2. Catholic Youth Organization, Dedicated to Pope John Paul -II

3. Legion of Mary

4. Apostolic Carmel Lay Associates

5. Pre School Teachers’ Association

6. Catholic Teachers’ Association

7. St. Cecilia’s Choir Group

8. Altar Servers’ Association

9. Liturgical groups.

10. Young Catholic Students Association -YCS (For Young Girls and Boys)

11. St. Vincent de Paul

The OMI Priest missionaries are asked to be faithful to the pastoral plans and regulations of

the Diocese and to work hard towards the goals that are set. I am trying to do that in my work in

Lunugala.

Asipa:

To deepen the knowledge of the Word of God and for the people to get together and pray and

awaken their Catholic life, neighbourhood groups were formed especially at Park Estate, Police

Quarters, Shawlands, U.D., Ambalangoda and Hopton. In all more than 08 such groups have

been formed.

Catechism Classes:

Catechism classes are conducted in the Main Parish. For this Catholic teachers and catechists

extend their cooperation. There are 14 Catechists, and 173 children in my parish.

Seminars:

There was a need to have seminars to bring about good relationship among the people and

children and to direct them to new ways of thinking and reflections. These seminars conducted

especially for children, parents teachers, leaders of organizations, Computer, Sewing and English

classes are also held.

Special Activities:

Keeping in mind the situation, thus we have Sewing Centre, Dance classes, Evening special

classes for school children, Music classes and Free medical services. Even though, I face

some challenges and difficulties, I face them successfully and I go ahead.

Pre Schools:

In our area too education, especially primary education is given an important place. Keeping

this in mind I have started one pre-school in addition to the two pre-schools that already existed

and functioned and they have 72 children and 04 teachers. These have been started with the help

of USCOD and the Apostolic Carmel Sisters.

OMI:

USCOD:

Through this diocesan institution many of our parish students got the opportunity to get

trained in technical subjects.

Other work in the Diocese:

His Lordship Wunston Fernanado, S.S.S., admitted me to the Council, Hence, I had been

appointed the Diocesan Director for Family Apostolate ( Tamil Section) , In-charge of Legion of

Mary, Editor of Neerodai (the Tamil news bulletin of the diocese)the Dean of the Badulla

Deanery. For the confidence placed in me through these appointments and the opportunity

given to me to exercise the apostolate in these fields, I am very thankful to the Bishop, the Rev.

Fathers and all who extended me their cooperation.

To carry out the mission entrusted to me, after Almighty God, my thanks go first of all to His

Lordship the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando, SSS., and to my brother oblates.

Our Lady Of Lourdes, Pray For Us!