(Colombo, Sri Lanka) The Region of Colombo celebrated two ordinations on Thursday, February 6 in Sri Lanka. In the presence of family, loved ones, friends and confreres, Deacons Jude Perera and Amila Pathum were ordained priests by Bishop Raymond Wickramasinghe, the Bishop of Galle, at the Redemptorist parish of St. Theresa’s in Colombo.
Bishop Raymond was the main celebrant and celebrated mass in the local Sinhala language and was assisted at the altar by Fr. Shiran Fonseka (Regional Superior) and Fr. Chandana Perera (Vicar and Parish Priest of St Theresa’s).
Together with confreres from the Region, a number of visiting priests, religious and confreres were present for the celebration, including Fr. John Hodgson, the Provincial Superior of the Province of Oceania, Fr Gerard Louis the Vice Provincial Superior of the Vice-Province of Singapore-Malaysia and Fr Francis Vijayan from Singapore. Many of the Region’s seminarians were also actively involved in the ceremony.
Fr. Shiran the Regional Superior, described the ordination of two confreres as “a memorable and grace-filled occasion for the Region; a testament to the faith, commitment, and sacrifice of Frs. Jude and Amila, their families and all who have accompanied them throughout their years of formation and discernment.”
Fr. Shiran also acknowledged the presence of Fr. John Hodgson the Provincial of Oceania with whom the Redemptorists in Sri Lanka are affiliated. Fr. Shiran said, “Fr. John and the confreres from Oceania have great care and concern for the Region and they are ever ready to generously support and encourage us in our life and mission. Fr John’s willingness to come from Australia to be with us for this important occasion is a sign of the strong relationship between our two units.”
Frs Jude and Amila are now preparing for their thanksgiving masses to be celebrated in their home parishes. May God bless and guide them in their commitments to serve the poor and the most abandoned.
David J. Hore, C.Ss.R.
