News Briefs November 2013-January 2014

Some News from the Newman Society

 

The AGM

 

The AGM was held on 27.11.2013 and the new office bearers for the EXCO whose names are given below were elected. We thank the members of the former EXCO for their hard work. The chief guest of the occasion was Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo who holds the portfolio of Higher Education at the Catholic Bishops’ conference of Sri Lanka who presided over at the inaugural Eucharist and exhorted the university community to remain faithful to their Christian vocation and be committed. Refreshments were served to all present.

 

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NEWMAN SOCIETY 2013-2014

 

CHAPLAIN                              REV. FR. DR. CLAUDE PERERA, OMI

 

LADY CHAPERON                 REV. SR. IDA PERERA, HF

                                             

SENIOR TREASURER           DR. SHYĀMA BANNEHEKE (DENTAL FACULTY)

 

PRESIDENT                             MR. CHĀRUKA FERNANDO (D/10/015)

 

VICE PRESIDENT                   MR. T. JEYAKARAN (E/10/161)

 

CO-SECRETARY                     MISS SHENIKĀ MADHUSHĀNI (A/09/143)

                                                   

CO-SECRETARY                    MISS KIRUSHĀ GNĀNACHELVAM (AHS/RA/09/52)

                                                   

JUNIOR TREASURER            MR. KAVINDU FERNANDO (E/11/118)

 

CO-EDITOR                            MR. TERRENCE SYLVESTER (S/10/031)

 

CO-EDITOR                            MR. HONORIN DIAS (D/11/015)

 

CO-LITURGIST                      MISS NIMĀSHĀ JAYAMĀNNE (AG/11/027) -

                                                  

CO-LITURGIST                      MISS A. J-M. THURAM (VS/11/126)

 

MEDIA OFFICER                   MISS NISHĀNGI FERNANDO (E/11/125)

                                                 

ARCHIVIST                            MR. NIPUNA EDIRISINGHE (M/11/042)

                                                 

Christmas Carols

 

On 12.12.2013 we had a glorious cantata of Christmas carols presented by a beautifully-clad group of about 35 student members of the Newman Society. Our Music Directress Dr. Carmeline Fernando, Bro. Justin, OMI and Bro Joseph, OMI trained the choir. The chief guest of the occasion was Mr. Juani Ephraimsson (an engineer from Finland) and his wife, while the Guest of Honor was Mrs. Ingrid Bluhm (a PhD student from Germany). Fr. James Jayasinghe, OMI and a number of Rev. Brothers from the seminary and Hindagala Holy Family Sisters also graced the occasion. The carols were trilingual calling for national reconciliation and ethnic harmony. A large gathering of students and members of the staff were present and among them even non-Christians. The students worked very hard for the choir practices with regular attendance. That was the secret of their becoming an angelic chorus. During the last few days, a large number of students left no stone unturned till very late at night in order to see to the most perfect material preparations of the chapel which was colorfully decorated. A group of students from the University Christian Fellowship also performed two carols. That was a beautiful gesture of ecumenism. As some commented, it was the best carols the Newman Society has had in recent times.

 

Visit to Daya Nivesa

 

On 13.12.2013 a group of students visited Daya Nivesa run by Mother Theresa’a Sisters in Kandy and they entertained the inmates with song and dance. Refreshments were distributed among them. That was an opportunity for us to see the horrendous misfortunes and sufferings of some of our fellow human beings.

 

Christmas and New Year Celebrations

 

The Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated at the chaplaincy at 7.00 pm and the Christmas Morning Mass at 8.30 by the chaplain. As the university was closed for Christmas there was only a handful of students who had remained behind due to examinations, but some of the members of the university staff and our regular Sunday devotees from Mahakande participated in the celebration. Refreshments were served to all after Mass. Our New Year Mass was celebrated on 01.01.2014 at 5.45 pm. About 50 attended the same. Fellowship followed the Mass.

 

Home Visits by the Chaplain

 

From 26.12.2013 – 31.12.2013 our chaplain visited the families of almost all the students in Negombo, Ja-Ela and Ragama region. He was able to visit about 30 families. He says that it was very rewarding in coming to know their joys and struggles. Their families have been very hospitable to the chaplain. He is very thankful to the delicious food and gifts offered to him during the visit. The chaplain is very appreciative of the services of Kalhara (Eng 2^nd Year) and Kavindu (Eng 1^st Year) who took him round to the houses of students on motor cycle. In February 2014, the chaplain hopes to visit all the families of our students in Mannar.

 

 

Nishangi Fernando

 

Media Officer

Welcome to The Newman Society

The Newman Society, University of Peradeniya 

Sri Lanka catholic student’s movement – Peradeniya region

 

We are a group of Catholic students from University of Peradeniya who works to strengthen our faith in an academic environment. We invite all the present catholic students and the alumni of the University of Peradeniya to share your fellowship and participation in our activities.

We have wide variety of programs running through out the year. We begin the year with the AGM by mid November. Our first activity is the annual Christmas carol followed by a visit to the house of destitute DAYANIWASA, run by mother Theresa nuns in Kandy. During the year several exposures in several sectors are held so that the students acquire a first hand knowledge of social, pedagogical and theological issues in the country and the church. We also conduct an annual retreat for the spiritual growth of our students.

For our students to promote fellowship among us we have a Freshers’ welcome, final year student’s going down, annual picnic , and various liturgical functions and the annual church feast of Our Lady Seat of Wisdomwhich also becomes our annual get together with the alumni.

All these activities bring us together in fellowship and make us share our lives at the service of the community.

We have a chaplain appointed by the Srilanka Catholic Bishop’s conference, a senior treasurer from the university academic staff and an executive committee for the smooth functioning of the NEWMAN society.