The Region of Colombo celebrated its Golden Jubilee, 50 years of being founded as a Region of the Bangalore Province on the 14th of September 2024. Fr Superior General, Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R. presided at the Eucharistic Celebration at St. Theresa’s Church Colombo in Sri Lanka. There were also present the two General Consultors, Frs. Jospeh Ivel Mendanha, and Paul Vinh, the Conference Coordinator of Asia Oceania Fr. Yoakim Ndelo, C.Ss.R., all the confreres of the Region of Colombo, most of the Provincials and Vice Provincials of the Conference of Asia Oceania along with many other confreres from different Units of the Conference. The very first Regional Superior, Fr Neil Karunaratne, C.Ss.R. was present for the Eucharist and the entire Celebration. At the age of 93 he is a living example of commitment and dedication to the mission of the Congregation in Sri Lanka.
Father General spoke about gratitude as being part of a jubilee celebration as well as the need to embark towards new horizons in the spirit of Religious Consecration taking forward the mission of the Congregation with courage in Sri Lanka.
At the end of the Solemn Eucharist Fr General declared two of the Lay collaborators who have given and continue to give outstanding service to the Congregation as Oblates. They are: Anton Joseph Anthony Pillai who has been working loyally for 44 years and Sylvester Balakrishnan who has been working for 24 years with loyalty serving the mission of the Congregation in Kandy and Colombo respectively.
At the Celebration Fr General distributed scholarships to 50 deserving but poor students as well as medical certificates with financial assistance to 50 Cancer patients marking the 50 years of service the Redemptorists have given as a Region in Sri Lanka.
The day of celebration continued with a festive lunch for all the confreres and a fun fair for the parishioners and was organised by the parishioners of the Redemptorist Parish of St. Theresa’s.
Fr Chandana Perera the Regional Superior expressed his gratitude to the Lord for the graces the Region has experienced despite the challenges over the years. He also expressed his hope as the Region looks ahead in the process of Reconfiguration. He thanked Fr General, the General Consultors, the Conference Coordinator and all present for their presence and support extended to the Region, as well as the organising committee that worked to prepare for the Jubilee Celebrations.
Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
General Consultor
