CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
OF THE GROTTO OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
AT ST VINCENT'S HOME, MAGGONA
ON 6th NOVEMBER 2011
The Centenary of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at St Vincent's Home, which was instituted on 4th November 1911 on a vow made to eradicate a dreaded epidemic that was spreading, throughout the orphanage was celebrated on Sunday, 6th November 2011. Preparations for the centenary, was preceded by a three day novena conducted by Revd Frs Lucian Fernando OMI, Anthony Jayamanne OMI and Lal Pushpadeva OMI.
Sunday, 6th November 2011 was a sunny morning and the festive Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Revd Fr Kelum Dias OMI. In his homily he reminded the faithful that we must honour Our Blessed Mother and whenever we prayed to her it never went unheard as she always intercedes for us and asks her son to hear our prayers. The first miracle Jesus performed at Cana was at the request of the Blessed Mother. He exhorted everyone to have a great devotion to the Rosary as requested by Our Blessed Mother at Lourdes. He emphasised that we should pray the Rosary asking our Blessed Mother to bless our country and the world with peace and in our families too.
Many people from the neighbourhood participated at the celebration together with the Religious and children of the Institute. A fellowship followed after the service. This was a historic day for us all.
Revd Bro John Gilbert OMI
LIONS CLUB VISITS US
The Lions Club of Colombo Orient, visited us & spent time interacting with the children. The Club donated electrical appliances & had a gift for every child too. We appreciate their generosity & for including this Institute as part of their social responsibility.
A NEW LOCATION FOR THE OFFICE
The Admin & Finance Office was located at the far end of the Mother House and was isolated & arrangements were made to shift the office to a room close to us all. Pictures show Revd Bro John Gilbert OMI, cutting the ribbon at the entrance & a prayer service conducted in the new office room by Revd Bro Rabindra Rajapakse OMI. A Fellowship followed.
Although smaller, it is conveniently located & the three Office Assistants are able to coordinate & work more closely, which is an advantage.
OUR PATRON SAINT IS HONOURED
The Feast of St Vincent de Paul, the Patron Saint of St Vincent's Home, is on 27th September & should the date fall on a weekday it is celebrated over the weekend preceding the actual date.
Vespers was sung on 24th Sept in the evening & the two newly ordained Oblate Priests, Revd Frs Don Jesu Ramesh & Udara Lakpriya Darmarathne, presided at the service.
Sunday, 25th Sept, was the Festive High Mass & was celebrated by the Immediate Past Superior, Revd Fr Justin Silva OMI & assisted by Revd Frs Ramesh & Udara
The children were very involved in decorating the Chapel & processional route.
As part of the celebrations, a musical show was organised 25th Sept in the evening by Revd Fr Ajith Perera OMI & music was provided by the Sri Lanka Army Band. The children enjoyed the evening's entertainment & together with the members of the Community joined in the singing.
The day following the feast is traditionally a holiday for the Institute & considered as 'Workers Day.' A social & musical show was organised followed by lunch with active participation by the staff.
OLB BOYS ASSOCIATION OF ST VINCENT'S
The annual meeting & get-together of the Old Boys Association was held on 2nd Oct. It commenced with Mass being celebrated in the Chapel & the meeting & lunch in the Tulp Auditorium. The pictures show the meeting in progress & the first Old Boy-Priest of this Institute, Revd Fr Michael Silva OMI, is also seen in the picture.
A DAY OUT & WE ENJOYED THE SPLASH IN THE POOL
There are some children who have no place to go during the school vacations & they were treated to a day out at Dream Beach Resort, which is about an hour's drive from the Institute. They enjoyed swimming in the pool & were treated to a sumptuous lunch, courtesy of the Management of Dream Beach Resort.
We are grateful to the Management of the hotels and our benefactors for giving an opportunity to these children to enjoy a day out.
ART FESTIVAL FOR WORLD PEACE DAY AT BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, occurs annually on 21 September. For 2011, on its 30th anniversary, the UN Peace Day's theme was 'Peace & Democracy.'
The British High Commission, Colombo, hosted an 'Art Festival' for children from about 50 schools from the District of Colombo. We were honoured to be invited to this event.
In his welcome address, the British High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr John Rankin, emphasised on the importance of peace & democracy. There was a lot of team work by the students to complete the paintings & the children were taken on a tour of the High Commission premises.
Certificates were issued to all students & the commemorative coin which was issued for the recent Royal Wedding was presented to all groups participating.
It was an experience & a memorable day for our artists, Sadees, Selvakumar, Pushpe, Sanjaya, Udara, Isuru, Saman, Jude, Thushara & Srimal who were accompanied by Revd Fr Kelum Dias OMI & Bro Nimanke Silva.
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WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY 2011
CELEBRATIONS ORGANISED BY THE DEPT OF PROBATION & CHILD CARE
As part of the celebrations for World Children's Day 2011, the Dept of Probation & Child Care of the Ministry of Social Services conducted competitions in singing, music, drama, handwriting, speech & sports.
The students from the 'Susithodaya House' of the Institute took part in these events & we are proud that they won first place in most of the events. These students are between the ages of 12yrs & 18yrs.
OUR SINGING SENSATION
Ruwan Kumara Fernando, 17yrs, a Year10 student, came FIRST in the singing competition organised by the Dept of Probation & Child Care for the District of Kalutara.
WE CAN ALSO HARMONISE
Our youngsters won FIRST place in the Group Singing Category. Ruwan, Hasitha, Lahiru, Jude, Srimal, Sanjaya, Chamika, Lahiru Lakmal, Thushara, Supun, Malshan & Ranjan certainly harmonised their way to clinch first place.
MORE TALENT IN OUR MIDST…
BUDDING MUSICIANS
Lahiru Chamara, flautist, won FIRST place in the Musical Instrument Individual Category & keyboard wizard, Thushara Dissanayake, won THIRD place. Interestingly, Lahiru plays a flute made out of bamboo!
& THE MUSIC WAS GOOD
We have done it again - FIRST place for Musical Instruments Group Category & it is their coordination & timing that helped them win. Hasitha, Lahiru, Suresh, Anton, Selvaraj, Sanjaya, Nishan, Chamika, Thushara, Chamara, Dhananja & Ruwan - thank you for the music!
UPCOMING ACTORS TOO
FIRST place again & this time in the drama competition. The theme of the drama was on 'The Use & Abuse of Technology.' The story revolved around the vulnerability & addictions of technology & its effects. The children depicted this very effectively in their acting & woven into the story was also about a child keen on studying & developing his knowledge which he would use to understand & use technology the way it should be. The two messages were conveyed very well. There was much interest & enthusiasm in practising for the drama & the young actors were: Hasitha, Lahiru, Chamara, Chamika, Sanjaya, Sanjeewa, Thushara, Srimal, Chandana, Ruwan & Isuru.
SPORTS - OHHHH THAT WAS A CLOSE CALL
Volleyball was the only sport & our team emerged FIRST RUNNERS-UP. Captain, Sajith Udayanga & his team, Hasitha, Lahiru, Thushara, Ruwan & Suresh practised long hours & certainly did their best.
BEST CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
St Vincent's Home won THIRD PLACE for the Best Child Development Centre in the Kalutara District.
The Prize-Giving Ceremony combined with an excursion for the children, was held at the Colombo Zoo on Children's Day, 4th October & they did enjoy the day. The pictures show Revd Fr Kelum Dias OMI, Director, Susithodaya House, receiving the prize for the Best Child Development Centre Competition & the children receiving prizes for the respective categories from the Officials of the Dept of Probation & Child Care.
Facilities were restricted but the determination & interest of the children to participate was there & the results prove it all. We congratulate them for their achievements & thank them for bringing fame to the Institute too.
A very big thank you to multi-talented Bro Nimanka Silva! From drama to singing to music to sports he was there all the way. If not for his dedication, courage & patience to train & guide the children, this would not have been possible & he together with the children did burn the midnight oil!
The unstinted support extended to Bro Nimanka & the children by Fr Kelum Dias & Bro Benedict Kurera is appreciated.
On our part we will continue to train & educate our children - that's our commitment.
Here are the results at a glance:
Singing, Individual: FIRST PLACE
Singing, Group: FIRST PLACE
Music, Instruments, Individual: FIRST & THIRD PLACE
Music, Instruments, Group: FIRST PLACE
Drama: FIRST PLACE
Sports-Volleyball: FIRST RUNNERS UP
Best Child Development Centre: THIRD PLACE
NOW, DON'T WE HAVE A REASON TO BE PROUD OF OUR CHILDREN & OURSELVES TOO…
