Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Salesian Perpetual Profession: Forever with Don Bosco…


We, Salesians of Don Bosco, joined with our four clerics, Rev. Bro. Sudesh Sinhalakkara, Rev. Bro. Costa William, Rev. Bro. Ranpathi Devage Viraj and Rev. Bro. Nadeep Sanjeewa, as they made their Perpetual Profession on 24th May 2013, Feast day of Our Lady Help of Christians.


The Festive celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Nihal Liyanage and concelebrated by many Salesian Priests. The eve was coloured by the blissful participation of many Salesians, families of the four salesians, members of the Salesian Family and well-wishers.




Tuesday, May 21, 2013

25 years of Silvery Steps with Don Bosco…




As the silver bells ring for Don Bosco Seminaryat Dankotuwa, the Salesians of Sri Lanka, with many other religious and lay communities and families,happily joined to celebrate the 25 years of Silvery Steps with Don Bosco at Dankotuwa, on 11th and 12th May 2013.


The Celebrations began with the 1st Day of Novena (3rd May, Friday) which was presided over by Fr. Roshan Miranda. Then on 2nd Day Fr. Neil Kumara, on 3rd Day Fr. Robin Fernando, ViyanRajith and Fr. SriranthaNiroshan (New Priests), on 4th Day Fr. Roshan OSB, on 5th Day Fr. ChalanaKalanga, on 6th Day Fr. Melinda Wickramasinghe, on 7th Day Fr. Dixon Fernando (the Rector) and on 8th Day Fr. Felix Mallwarachchijoined us and enlightened the minds of the Aspirants and the faithful.

On 11th May, Saturday, the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Spitheri joined us in celebrating the Vespers at 7.00pm. The colourful evening was melodiously harmonized by the beautiful singing by the Don Bosco Seminary Choir, which was accompanied by some of the music teachers of the aspirants themselves. Nearly hundred priests religious and nuns took part in the evening. And many other specially invited guests also joined the celebration with hearts full of love. After the Vespers, the aspirants led the mass to the centre garden where the aspirants had organized a back-to-back talent show, which contained Eastern Dances, Eastern Hewisi Drum Bands, Western Brass Bands, Orchestra Musicals, Mimes, Calypsos and etc… The evening was accomplished by the Grand Dinner at 9.30pm for all those present.

0n 12th May, Sunday, the Bishop of Chilaw Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendispresided over the Festive Eucharistic Celebration, in which His Lordship addressed all the parents of the Aspirants, the parents of the Salesians who were present and the other invited guests about sanctity and our calling. The Holy Mass was solemnized by the beautiful festive mass animations and the excellent singing by the Don Bosco Seminary Choir, which was accompanied by some of the music teachers of the aspirants. After the Holy Mass, during the vote of thanks, Fr. Dixon Fernando, the Rector, thanked everybody who was behind the success of this beautiful celebration. Then Fr. NihalLiyanage, the Provincial, respectively appreciated and thanked God for all those who worked so much during last 25 years at Dankotuwa. A lot of Salesians, some religious, parents of the aspirants, some parents of the Salesians and many other distinguished guests took part in the celebration.




  


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Bible Quiz Competition 2013

We began the Bible Quiz competition on 4th May 2013 conducted by Youth Pastoral Commission with the help of brothers in Practical Trainees particularly Bro. Jerome helping at 9.30 a.m. with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Provincial, Fr.Nihal and Fr. Dixon con celebrated. Excepting few houses like Kotadeniyawa, Metiyagane and Ahungalla all the rest of the Sinhala speaking area institutions participated. It went on till 3.30 p.m. and Fr. Provincial was present to hand over the presents for the winners. We thank Dankotuwa House for providing the meals for all the children and for providing all the other facilities necessary for conducting the Quiz. 

The winners for individual prizes were 1st place to Dankotuwa, Master Vimukti and second place to Dungalpitiya, Miss Upeksha and the third place to Dankotuwa Master Tharusha. The group prizes 1st place to Negombo, 2nd place to Dankotuwa and the third place to Uswetakeiyawa.

Provincial Community Day

May 1st - The Feast of St.Joseph the Worker - Provincial Community Day celebration at the Provincial House - Dungalpitiya.