news letter of jaffna province - april
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
1/12
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
YAZHA - THONIahoj;njhdpProvince of Jaffna
Easter 2013bbbbbb
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
2/12
2
From the Editorial Desk
NewPopeChurchisfullofHope
A simple Pope from the continent of Mayas!
The month of February, 2013 was filled with anxiety as Pope Benedict, xvi resigned from his papal
office. But the month of March brought not only a great sense of relief but also a wide sense of joy asCardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, theArchbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, waselected as the266
pope taking the name Pope Francis on the 13 of March, 2013.
Pope Francis is the first pope from the 'New World'
and first pope from the Society of Jesus. He was already noted for his simplicity and pastoral
approach and he has taken the name of a greatsaint of simplicity, Francis of Assisi. He has already
signaled and started to be 'different' in his going about in the short period as the chief shepherd. A
religious pope, taking a great religious name and in conformitypreludes hismode of approach.
Some rush to entitle him 'people's pope'. Why not! It looks fitting so far! His sense of
simplicity, concern for the poor & poverty, his pastoral and informal approach
make him an example to many to us Oblates! We might wait for the new
pope to come out with certain 'spirituality of mission' as he himself is from a
mission land. Thanks to the Jesuits' spirituality that contributed towards
constituting that of theOblates.
th
th
Our Provincial Speaks:
D e a r B r o t h e rOblates, cordialG r e e t i ng s a n dMany Blessings of
theEasterSeason.
We a r e s t i l lcelebrating the Joyof the resurrectionof our Lord JesusChrist f rom the
dead. Hisvictory overevil forcesof the world hasbecome our own victory over our own evil forceswithin and without. Thus the new Spirit and thenew life brought by his decisive act ofResurrection linger deeply in our heartsmotivating us to be transformed to become newdisciples and new evangelizers. That means weare invited to go through an intense experience ofthe Spirit of the Risen Christ in our own lives andto share the new life with one another. This is thevery core of our spirituality, apostolic witnessingand a solid foundation for a meaningfulconversion.
We live in the post modern era and naturally weare also caught up in the values that areconstantly changing. We, as religious, with aunique value system and a particular way of life
in pursuit of our oblate charism sometimesbecome victims to such modernism. Unlimited
information technology, effects of globalization,secularism, consumerism and even modernismhave a great impact in our lives as Priests andreligious. Under the pretext of externaltransformation and growth we tempt to takeJesus, the high Priest who propagated atransformational empowerment for granted.That is the present reality of our priestly life. Weare immersed in an ocean of complexity that wedon't have time to be with ourselves nor withJesus. There is no need for us to take himseriously as other things and persons are moreserious and important. What happens is that we
begin to lose the God- consciousness in ourpersonal and collective lives. The modernsociety has a way of eroding priestly values that
are meant to express our following of andconformity with Christ. May we spend somequality time for ourselves and come in touchwith ourreal SELF.
The Easter events invite us to go through aprocess of personal and collective conversion inthe light of the passion and death of Jesus.
Naturally it is a painful process towardsResurrection. Are we ready to shun the profaneand to embrace the sacred? Are we ready to gothrough this process ofpainful death on the crossforthesake ofourownResurrection?
Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
3/12
We have to challenge ourselves of our ownSpiritualities andconsecration toobecause thereare destructive values in and around our livesthat arecontrary topriestly values.
What is the spirituality of Priests? TheSpirituality of the Priests is the spirituality ofJesus Christ. The intimate heart - levelrelationship that he hadwithhis Father. Becauseof this intimacy with his father, Jesuswas able tofreely love and work in obedience. This innerf reedom made Jesus love h is f athe r unconditionally andtosurrendertohiswill. Thatshouldbe precisely thespiritualityof thePriests.So, what is central to our spirituality is ourobjective configuration to Christ as Priest andShepherd. We should be more configured to
Christ that we in truth act in the name and in theperson of Jesus Christ. This is the fundamentalsourceof his spirituality.
The words of Jesus at the last Supper serve as aconstant reminder to us about who we are as hisdisciples. He prays to the father for hisApostlesand says that they are in this world but are not ofthis world, even as he himself is in the world butdoesn't belong to this world St. Paulhimself speaks frequently of our being citizensnot of an earthly city but of an eternal city andtherefore, not to be conformed to this world but
be transformed by the renewal of our mind, thatwe may discern what is the will of God, what isgood,pleasing andperfect
Are we deeply rooted in the person of JesusChrist? Is it a heart centered relationship? Arewe taking him seriously?Are we experiencing adeep rooted intimacy with our own innerfreedom to worship him inSpirit and truth?Howmuch have we imbibed the values regardingGod, Jesus? What is the image of him thatengages our total personal commitment?Are we
being prevented from having a personal
experience of Jesus because of an ambivalentunderstanding of the place ofGod inour lives? IsGod for us out there or within? Have we limitedGod only to the scheduled times of liturgy? IsGod for us the God of each moment? Theanswers to such questions obviously touch thecore of a lived priestly spirituality. So, we needto remind ourselves constantly of theconsciousness of our priestly consecration andsacramental configuration to Christ which is atthe heart of Priestly spirituality. The modernsociety will continue to pose a challenge to our
ministry, to the loss of a sense of the sacred, a
(Jn.17/14-16).
(Rom.12/2).
loss of faithof humble service. There is no newlife without death. Therefore, we have to beready to suffer for the sake of Christ. Suchchallenge actually goes back to the time of St.Paul when the crucified Christ was considered,an obstacle to the Jews, madness to Pagans butto those who have been called whether they areJews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power andthewisdomof God(1Cor. 1/23-25).
Oblate mission without the Cross and Christcrucified is alien to us. What is the type of pricethatwepay toour uniquevocation to the poor?.
Always carryingabout in the bodythe dying ofJesus, so that the life of Jesus may also bemanifested in our body. For we who live areconstantly being given up to death for the sake
of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may bemanifestedin ourmortal flesh
As we have reflectedtogether at our common forum, there is a great
possibility for the Jaffna Province to take up theMission in Denmark and Norway forming asone Unit. The initial work is over and thesharing among the Superior of the DanishOblate Community, the Provincial of Polandand myself isoverand now weawait the draft to
be submitted to the General Administration for
confirmation. Please keep on praying for thesuccessful move of this Project. I haveexplainedto youall about this sufficientlyat thecommon forum. It is up to the General to makethefinaldecision.
The joint meeting of the AORC and the CentralGovernment, and the Inter Chapter will be
held in Bangkok fromthe 13 April to May 3 . Ishall be participating at both sessions. In myabsence, Fr.Stanislaus Philips will actforme.
The Lebara Foundation is helping us to
construct another 50 houses in Mullaitivudistrict for the war victims. Fr.Maria SebastianOMI will coordinate the work with the help oftheProvincialTreasurer.
We have assisted to put up two halls for theeducation of Children at Mullikulam, in theDiocese of Mannar. Fr.Alban RajasinghamOMI will coordinate the work together with thePastors of Mullikulam.
(2Cor4: 10-12).
Foreign Mission:
th rd
MAY THE PEACE AND JOY OF THE RISENLORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.
M. Paul Nadchethiram OMI
Provincial Superior, Province of Jaffna.
3 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
4/12
Visit of the Bursar General to the Province of Jaffna
Rev.Fr.Marc Dessureault omi, the Bursar General visited the
Oblates in their mission places around the province of Jaffna
from the 3 to the 10 Apr., 2013. This visit comes as a part of
the visitation of the General Administration which visits the
region.
From the General Administration Fr.Marc is the first to visit
the province other than Fr.Clement Waidyasegara omi, the
General Councilor for Asia Oceania region. Fr.Marc's visit
concentrated mostly on the Oblates and their missions and ministries while spending considerable
time with the Oblates in First
rd th
Formation. This visit gave him a better knowledge of the Province and
itsOblates, thechallenges andconcerns of theprovince in evangelizingthepoor.
Arriving on the 3 of April, Fr.Marc went to Mannar where he met the Oblates at Iluppaikkulam,
Thatchanamaruthamadhu and Arippu. He also paid a short visit to Our Lady of Madhu at the
sylvestrian shrine. The Oblates working in the area met with Fr.Marc at the Pre-Novitiate after which
Fr.Marc visited CRAADA,where the Oblates work with the alcoholic anonymous. Though travelling
to the orphanage at Mulankavil via A-32 road demanded more time and energy, Fr.Bursar General
commented his visit as worthwhile and it was more worth the trouble doing such mission to those most
deserving.
Passing the mission of Akkarayan-Skanthapuram, Annai Illam,
Kilinochchi welcomed Fr.Marc. Following morning he met the
Oblates in Vanni. The Provincial administration gathered atKilinochchi fora meeting withFr.Marc. Obtec, a vocational skill
training center run by the Oblates in Kilinochchi, hosted Fr.Marc
with lunch and after which he proceeded to Kokilai, an Oblate
Missionat theextreme south-east endof theDiocese of Jaffna.
Neither the scorching heat nor the tight schedule could stopFr.Marc to cross the lagoon to reach out to the Oblates at Trincomalee the same evening. On detour
Fr.Marc visitedtheOblatecounselling centreat Mullaithivu,a war-torncity. On the6 ofAprilFr.Marcarrived in Jaffna, the second foreign mission chosen by St.Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of theOblates. To meet the Oblates, local bursars, formation houses and the suburb missions Fr.Marc
allocatedconsiderable time.
Hitting the A-9 road towards Vavuniya Fr.Marc met with the preaching community and few moreOblates in the North central city. He proceeded to the central up-country missions at Lunugala andHaputale in the Diocese of Badulla. Visiting the Sacred Heart Novitiate at Bandarawela gave him agood chance to meet the novices and meeting the tea plantation missions at Haputale bears witness totheOblatemissionaryspiritof evangelizing thepoor. Towards theendof his trip Fr.Bursar General paida 'pop-in visit' to JaffnaOblates' residenceinColombo.
Afeeling of mutual fraternity was experienced by both the local Oblates andthevisitor. Members weretaken up with the enthusiasm and committedness of the Bursar General to go around meeting theOblates with such a 'tight'visit schedule.
rd
th
4 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
5/12
Fr.Soosaiappu Anthony Poncian
omi was installed as the Superior
of Amal a Ut hayam , Obl ateC o m mu n i ty a t U p pu v e l i,
Trincomalee, on the 1 of Nov.,
2012 by the Provincial Superior,
Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi. The members of
the community and other Oblates in the
District, the Vicar General, the Episcopal
Vicar of the Diocese of Trincomalee and
Fr.Francis Loshington omi, the Provincial
Councillor were present on the occasion.
F r . E m m a n u e l G o d f r e y o m i a n d
Bro.Amirtharaj Dabarera omi were assigned as
first and second assistants to the Superior
respectively.
Fr.Jeevanadas Fernando omi was
appointed as the Director of the
Obtec, Kilinochchi. Fr.Jeeva took
up his new responsibility in Dec.,
2012.
Fr.Stanislaus Swampillai omi tookc h a r g e o f t h e p ar i s h o f
Kanagarayankulam in the Diocese
of Mannarin Dec., 2012.
F r. A.Jesuraj an om i , h aving
followed a short refresher course
in India, has taken his new
ministry as assistant pastor at the
parish of New Chetti Street,
Colombo, in the Archdiocese of
Colombo in January, 2013.
Fr.Jeno Harance omi who was
serving at the parish of Haputale
in the Diocese of Badulla as
a ss is ta nt p as to r, h as b ee n
transferred to Arippu as its
assistant pastor in the Diocese of
Mannarin January, 2013.
st
Fr.Arul Sutharson omi, who was
working in Mullaithivu, joined
the Haputale mission in March,2013 to help the pastor as his
assistant.
Fr.Anthonimuthu Croos omi, at
the request of the Bishop of the
Diocese of Badulla, is to assist the
parish priest, Badulla till June,
2013.
Fr.Thevathasan Edwin omi whohas been ministering as the
Director of Jesuits Refugee
S e rv i ce , J a ff n a h a s b e en
transferred to Iruthayapuram,
Mutthur, to be the assistant
pastor. Fr.Edwin has taken up his new
mission on the 3 of April, 2013.rd
Placements
5
Preach the Gospel at alltimes and when
necessary use words.
St.Francis of Assisi.
Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
6/12
Visits, Arrivals & Departures
Fr.SebamalaiThuramomi returned from Australia in early January 2013.
Fr.Rohan Silva omi, the Provincial Superior of Colombo Province along
with Fr.Eric Lakman, the coordinator for the AIT Programme visited De
Mazenod Scholasticate, Jaffna on the 24 of Jan., 2013 for an evaluation of
the AIT programme.
Fr.Warren Brown omi, General Councillor for Canada-United States
accompanied by Fr.Clement Waidyasegara omi, the General
Councillor for Asia Oceania and Fr.Rohan Silva omi, the Provincial
Superior of the Colombo Province, was on his mission of visiting the
members and themissions in theOblateProvince of Colombo. Payinga visit to the Pre-Novitiate in Mannar on the 4 of Apr., 2013
Fr.Warren met a fewJaffna Oblates around theplace.
Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi, Provincial Superior left for Bangkok to
participate in the joint meeting of the AORC and the Central Government,
and the InterChapter 2013to be heldfrom the 13 ofApr. to the 3 ofMay,
2013.
Fr.Aloys Terliesner, Missionsprokur, Germany came on a mission visit to
Kilinochchi and Jaffna. Fr.Terliesner who supports the Oblates missions
and formation, went around a few of the Oblate missions during his short
visitfromJan.810,2013.
th
th
th rd
Perpetual Vows & Diaconate
Bros.James Alphen Segar, ArulappuVimalanathan, Velautham Anton Justin,
Anthonipillai Thevavasantharasa and
Jesuraj ah Geral d f rom D e M az enod
Scholasticate, Jaffna made their Perpetual
Oblation in the Congregation of the Oblates
of Mary Immaculate on the 10 of Dec., 2012
at the church of Our Lady of Refuge, Jaffna.
Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi, the Provincial
Superior presided over the Eucharistic celebration. On the following day, 11 of Dec. the five
Newly Professed Oblates were ordained deacons by Rt.Rev.Dr.Thomas Savundaranayagam, the
Bishopof Jaffnaat thesame church.
th
th
6 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
7/12
Formation
A s i a - O c e a n i a F o r m a t o r s '
Conference 2013 (AOFC 2013) wash el d i n M an il a & C ot ab at o,
Philippines from the 14 Jan. to- 20
Jan., 2013. The Oblate Formation
units around the Asia-Oceania
region were represented by 18
members from 12 units ( Australia,
Bangladesh, China, Colombo, India,
Indonesia, Jaffna, Japan, Korea,
Philippines, Thailand / Laos &
Vietnam) Fr.S.P.J.Pachchek omi participated from Jaffna and Fr. Paul Nadchethiram omi,
participated in the programme as the AOFC Chairperson. Bro.Noel Garcia omi, from the OblateProvince of thePhilippines wasthe Chairman of theOrganizing body of AOFC 2013, Philippines.
Pre-Novitiate in Mannar commenced its formation programme for the current year on the 22
of Feb., 2013 with eleven pre-novices ( . Four
jouniorists from St.Joseph's Oblate Juniorate, Jaffna joined the Pre-Novitiate in Mannar.
At the completion of his mission at Gnanodayam, Mannar in Jan., 2013, Fr.Jacob
Yogarajah omi went to India to participate in a spiritual refreshing programme in
Bangalore.
Publications from the Scholasticate: De Mazenod Scholasticate has resumed publishing Naan-
psychological magazine after a break. The scholastics, as usual, this year also put out a booklet;
reflections on theStations of theCross named Siluvaiyin Nilal.
The Formation Committee meeting was held in Mannar on the 13 of March, 2013 to discuss
the formation programme in the formation houses and to work on the compilation of a formation
directory.
th th
nd
th
f
f
f
f
Jaffna 4, Colombo 2, Bangladesh 4, Pakistan 1)
ForthcomingsAnpaham Mulankavil:
Annual Retreats 2013:
Priestly Ordinations:
The orphanage at Mulankavil would welcome its new director in June
2013. Till then it is looked after by Fr.VincentPatrick omi and Deacon Justinomi.
The preliminary preparations for the annual retreats 2013 are underway.
Rev.Fr.Fabio Ciardi omi, Rome would be preaching two retreats to the members of Colombo and
Jaffna provinces; one in Kandy (from 11 17 Aug., 2013) and the other at Madhu (from 25 31
Aug., 2013) There will be another retreat preached by Fr.Jerome Lambert omi in Jaffna (17 25
Nov., 2013)
The priestly ordinations of the three deacons will be held on the 6 of June,
2013 in Jaffna andof the other two will be on the 15 of June, 2013 in Mannar.
th
th
7 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
8/12
News in Brief
Annual Retreats:
Jubilee Celebration:
Fr.A.B.Vincent omi
Fr.Prveen Mahesan omi
Foreign Missions:
Young Oblates' Gathering:
OBTEC Exhibition & Awarding Ceremony:
Fr.S.Anpurasa omi
Fr.S.A.Poncian omi
The Oblates of the province gathered at Gnanodayam, Mannar, in two groups for
their annual retreat in Nov., 2012. The first retreat was preached by Fr.Gerard de Rozairo omi from
Nov. 4 to Nov.11, 2012 and the second retreat was conducted by Fr.PaulSatkunanayagam sj from Nov.
18toNov. 23, 2012.
On the 24 of Nov., 2012 Fr.P.P.Philip omi celebrated the 50
Anniversary of his Sacerdotal Ordination. The members of the province gathering at
Gnanodayam, Mannar, organized a simple but beautiful thanksgiving mass and a
fellowshipmeal.
completed very successfully his Dip. in Ed. at the National
Institute ofEducationin 2012.
was called upon to appear before an inquiry panel in
Colombo in early Jan., 2013 to explain hisPeace & Reconciliation ministry.
Fr.Victor Jeyasingham omi and Fr.Edmund
Reginald omi are in Norway under a mission contract with the Bishop
ofOslo.
The young Oblates of the
province met in Mannar for two days after Easter (11 12Apr.,
2013)for theirperiodicalanimationprogramme.
There were an exhibition and awarding ceremony at
theLife SkillTrainingCentreatObtec,Kilinochchi onthe12ofNov.,2012.
brought out another collection of Tamil Christian
songs in Jan. 2013. The CD, named 'Unthan Ninaivinile' (-in memory
of you-) was released by Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam on the 6of Jan., 2013 inJaffna.
completed very successfully his Masters in
Education at the University of Jaffna in December, 2011. The
graduation took placeon28Feb., 2013.
th th
th
8 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
9/12
Call to the Eternal Bliss
Mrs. Swampillai Chellakandu, the grandmother of Fr.A.B.Vincent omi, passed away in May, 2012
in Jaffna.
Fr.G.Luxman of the Dioceseof Jaffna passed away on the 14 of Nov., 2012.
Mr.G.M.R.Jesuthasan, the elder brother of Bishop Victor Gnanapragasam omi, expired in
Colombo on the 23 of Nov., 2012.
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Trinco Batti, Bishop L.R.Antony was called to Eternal Bliss on
the 3 of Dec., 2012.
Mr.S.Adaikalam, the paternal uncle of Fr.B.Jeyabalan omi passed away on Dec. 5, 2012 in
Vavuniya.
Fr.Tissa Balasuriya omi, of the Province of Colombo passed away on the 17 of Jan., 2013 in
Colombo.
Mrs.Christinamma Gnanamuthu, the mother of Fr.Wenceslaus omi and Fr.Pilendran, was called
to Eternal Bliss on January 22, 2013in Jaffna.
Mr.Sebasty Anthtony, the father of Fr.Sylvester omi, was called to Eternal Bliss on March 16, 2013
in Kilinochchi.
th
rd
rd
th
While extending our sympathies to our fellow priests and to their family members & friendswe pray that they rest in Peace of the Risen Christ!
9
Is it always true?fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too Cna yuo
raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee
taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. Thephaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a
rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in
waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrodare, the olny iproamtnt tihng
is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset
can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a
pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed
ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig
huh?yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpelingwas ipmorantt!
Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
10/12
Oblate Centre, , Kilinochchi Extends its mission in VanniAnnai Illam
The Oblates return to which was heavily damaged due to war. As people started to comeback to their own places which were erased to the ground the Oblate centre moved in to launch services
to the people returning to their home town and villages from the IDP camps. Formally it was built as aCentre for Association for Counselling and Psychological Education serving the community mostlyaffected by the civil war. In the aftermath of the final war this Centre is set up mainly as a centre forsocialservices withthe name 'Oblate SocialServices' (OSS).
Fr.Anthony Sylvester omi, the Director of OSS ensures theservices, and the up-lifting programmes arereaching out to the people-in-need. Fr.Maria Sebastian omi, the Director of the counselling centre inMullaithivu has his desk at to extend his services to the needy in the area. Fr.Damian omiand Fr.Vijendranomiat , atPointPedro, Jaffnacontribute their serviceslikewise. Fr.VincetPatrick omi, the director of CRAADA, Mannar extends his services to provide courses in counsellingand study of English language. The mission undertaken by this centre is multifaceted and they aresupported by our mission partners like Caritas International Germany and withgenerous donors. The
centre also gives rooms for other Oblate and non-Oblate institutions to extend their services to thepeople. In provides services of these types:
The Relief and Rehabilitation program for the returnees. Income-generation program for the widows, Scholarship
programs for the children, Interfaith Villages Computer training Sewing Lebara Housing Scheme After school program Handicrafts Collaboration with the Oblate Counselling Centre in Mullaithivu and Point Pedro.
Through different material and financial helps the centre tries to helpthe returnees to restart their lives by providing them withbuilding materials, tools andutensils. Incomegeneration programmes help mostly the women-headed families to earn their daily living. 'InterfaithVillages' is another innovative mission that people of different beliefs live in a particular area and workclosely supporting each other to ensure the income of their small industry of farming, fishing etc.Sewingandhandicraft trainingprogrammehelp the trainees to earn somethingfortheir livelihood.
The beneficiaries of thisprogramme are mainly the students. As education facilities are very much limited in the region theprogramme gives the chance to the students to work outside school that they are enabled to keep pacewith the current demands of the system. It is an additional and more personal care study opportunity
provided by the centre. In addition to that there are more than 500 students helped with scholarshipfunds. This scholarship is a blessing for the poor students who might give up their academic formationdueto lackof financialsupport from theirownfamilies.
incollaboration with LebaraFoundation is another service to the
people. Fr.Jeevendra Paul omi, the Grant Director channelledLebara Foundation which now collaborates in our service tothe poor. Establishing a library in Kilinochchi by the Oblatesrefreshes the memory of an Oblate, Fr. Timothy Long omi, anactive member of the Library Committee and a prime force inestablishing the public library which had been burnt down
between May 30 to June 2, 1981.
Annai Illam
Annai IllamAnjaliAham
Rehabilitation and Self-Help:
After School Programme and Computer Training Programme:
Lebara library - Educational Resource Centre
10 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
11/12
Lebara Library is an educational resource Centre that would provide children and adults theopportunity to acquire knowledge and academic skills on their road to human development. LebaraResource Centre (ERC) reflects a new and modern concept. It is a multifunctional and interactiveinstitution gearedto meet theeducational needsof thecommunity.
Lebara Foundation, United Kingdom hasbecome one of the mission partners of theOblates in Jaffna especially with regard to therelief and rehabilitation endeavours of the
province. This is the second time that LebaraFoundation financed our Oblate-LebaraHousing scheme this time in Vanni. Fiftyfamilies who were left homeless after the war atMurasumoddai, Paranthan received those
houses to restart their lives after a three-yeargap. There are some thousands still waiting forsome organization's help to have a roof to sleepunder.
Finding finance is already hard and acquiring duepermission to undertake such humanitarian aid isharder as the procedure remains complicated andslow. Thanks to the Oblate Grand Commission,Rome, Lebara Foundation UK and the HousingScheme coordinators Frs.T.Edwin omi and ReneBeshman omiand the OSS Director Fr.A.Sylvesteromi for working hard for the completion of thescheme.
It was on the 17 of Feb., 2013 those 50 houseswere handed over to the beneficiaries. Mr.Gopakumar Nair, the Director of Lebara Foundation,
Fr.Jeevendra Paul omi, the Grand Director, Fr.PaulNadchet hi ram omi, the Provinc ia l Supe ri or,Fr.A.Sylvester omi, the Director of OSS, Oblates
priests, religious and military personnel along withmany more localdignitaries gracedtheoccasion.
Lebara Foundation, UK is extending its partnershipwiththe Oblates in Jaffna toundertakebuilding another
setof 50 houses for the resetllers in Mullaithivu.Thepreliminary works for theproposed housingschemearealready underway.
th
LebaraHousing Scheme- NewHousesHandedover to theBeneficiaries
11 Yazha Thoni
-
7/30/2019 News Letter of Jaffna Province - April
12/12
Editorial Board: Fr.S.P.J.Pachchek omi, Fr.P.P.Philip omi & Fr.Vincent Patrick omi.