Pentecost 2008

Pentecost Night Vigil held at Fatima Church was attended by thousands of Charismatics. some pictures are posted here.

Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Ponniah Joseph

Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed Rev. Fr. Joseph Ponniah, Vicar General of Trincomalee-Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, as auxiliary of the same diocese (area 8,397, population 1,545,129, Catholics 68,174, priests 66, religious 131). The bishop-elect was born in Thannamunai, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1980. [ Pontifical Acts - 19.02.2008 - VIS]
The Episcopal Ordination of of the Bishop-elect Msgr. Joseph Ponniah will be on 10th May 2008 at St. Mary's Co-Cathedral, Batticaloa by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Kinglsey Swampillai, the Bishop of trinco-Batticaloa.
Very Rev. Fr. Ponniah Joseph, born on 12th October 1952, at Thannamunai, Batticaloa, was ordained a priest on 30th April 1980.
Having done his B.Ph at St. Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirapalli in South India, and B.Th in the Papal Seminary, Poona, India, returned to Sri Lanka for the Ordination. Thereafter he did B.A. in the Unversity of Peradeniya, Licentiate in Biblical Theology at Urbania University, Rome, and Ph.D in Christian Civilization at the Unversity of Jaffna.
He served at the Parishes of Batticaloa Cathedral, Vakarai, Veechukalmunai, Aiyithiyamalai, Periya Pullumalai and Thandavanvely. He was appointed as the Rector of St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Batticaloa and served from 1993 to 1996. In 1996 he appointed as a Lecturer at the National Seminary, Ampitiya, Kandy in 1996 and was involved in the National Seminary formation and lecturing Sacred Scripture, Hinduism, Indian Philosophy and Catechetics, untill 2001.
He was also Resource persopn at the National Institute of Education, Maharagama, lecturing Religion in Tamil language to the teachers.
He was the Editor of the Diocesan Catholic Paper "VETTAPPU" and the Diocesan Bulletin. As a Spiritual Director he assisted the Legion of Mary and Divine Mercy Apostolates.
He was appointed as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Trinco-Batticaloa on 19th February 2006 and beside the commitments in the Diocese, he hab been lecturing at the Eastern University, Vandaramoolai, Batticaloa.

The Cenacle

The Upper Room

Traditionally, the Upper Room or the Cenacle (Latin cenaculum for “dinner”) is the site of both the Last Supper and the place of assembly of disciples of Jesus on the Pentecost day. The building was spared during the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus (AD 70) and became the site of the first Christian church. It was later destroyed by Persian invaders and rebuilt by a monk called Modestus. During the Crusades, the building was razed to the ground by Muslims and replaced by the Crusaders with a basilica. Franciscan monks cared for the Cenacle from 1333 to 1552 when the Turks captured Jerusalem and banished all Christians.
After the Franciscan friars' eviction, this room was transformed into a mosque, as evidenced by the mihrab in the direction of Mecca and an Arabic inscription prohibiting public prayer at the site. Christians were not allowed to return until the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Following a visit by Pope John Paul II, the Israeli government arranged for its ownership to be transferred to the Catholic Church in return for a church in Toledo, Spain which had originally been a synagogue.[citation needed]
The Cenacle is divided by three pillars into three naves. The pillars and the arches, windows and other Gothic style architectural elements, a clear indication the room was built by the Crusaders in the early 13th century, on top of a much older structur
Some Christians believe it lies in the second floor of a building on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, just outside the Dormition Church behind the Franciscan house on Sion, and south of the Zion Gate in the Old City walls. In the basement of the building is what is supposed by Jewish leaders as King David's Tomb, although the Bible says David was buried in the city of David, which is south of Mount Moriah.

If the above assumptions are true, one striking fact is that the last discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of John in which he promises the Holy Spirit was done in the Upper Room. This promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in the same place where it was promised. What a coincidence – or is it an indication the Lord fulfills his promises at the same place where it was made?
(Can you see in the background a vine with fruits? Remember the last discourse, John 15, I am the vine and you are the branches.)

Pentecost Vigils

All night Pentecost vigils are being held throughout the country. The vigils at St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo 13, St. Sebastian's Church, Moratuwa, St. Lawrence's, Wellawatee etc are expected to draw large crowds.

As reported earlier, the Tamil stream of the CCR is having its vigil at Fatima Church, Maradana, Colombo 10. The special feature will be the message by South Indian Catholic Evangelist Bro. Evans, the former director of Divine Retreat Centre, Chalakudy, Kerala.

Pentecost wishes

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Tamil Stream, Colombo wishes all its friends, benefactors, sister communities and all men of goodwill, the Grace of God during this Penectost Season. May the Lord bless, guide and use as an instrument to renew His Church and serve mankind without any discrimination of race, relgion etc. May the Lord bless our country, Sri Lanka, with peace and goodwill amongst all its people.

Pentecost Celebrations in the Up Country Sri Lanka

Programs scheduled for the Pentecost Week

10th Saturday - 7.30 pm. to 5 a.m. on Sunday with Holy Mass, Full Night Vigil at Fatima Church, Maradana, Colombo 10.(arrangements are made for those coming from distance to relax a few hours before and after the vigil

In the Up Country

Nawalapitiya - Queensbury Estate at 5.30 p.m. on Sunday the 11th - Contact Fr. Timothy at St. Mary's Nawalapitiya Phone 054 2222360

Katugastota, Sacred Heart Church, Monday the 12th at 5.30 p.m.

Hantane estate on Tuesday 13th at 5.30 p.m.

Contact Fr. Christie at St. Anthony's Cathedral Kandy.081 2223382 or 0718308177

PENTECOST 2008

PEACE IN LANKA

"NOT BY POWER OR MIGHT: BUT BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD!"

The Pentecost Night vigil organised by the Colombo group of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is to be held at the Fatima Church, Maradana, Colombo 10.

It will start at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday the 10th May and conclude with Holy Mass at 5 a.m.

All are invited

A three day preparatory Good News meetings are being held currently (7th to 9th) at St. Anthony's Boys Maha Vidyalayam, Kochchikade, Colombo 13, daily at 6.00 pm.

A special feature will be the message by Brother Evans from Good News Centre, Vadakkankulam, Tuticorin Diocese, Tamilnadu.

A large number of people from every walk of life thronged at the first two days of the meetings held so far.