Being Relgious Brothers in Sri-Lanka
About thirty five religious brothers from all over the Island, representing six congregations gathered at the retreat house Tewatte, Ragama on Saturday the 13th October to have a live in experience for two days. The theme of the gathering was ?BEING RELGIOUS BROTHERS IN SRI-LANKA?
A warm welcome was given to the participants and the objectives of the assembly were explained to the participants by Brothers Joseph Peiris fms, the executive secretary.
With the key note address given by Rev. Father Anton Malaviarchchi CsSR, the brothers started to reflect on the common concerns.
In the afternoon the participant?s were divided into three groups and Brother Henry Dissanayake, the Provincial Superior of the De La Salle Brothers gave guide lines and needed explanations for the continuation of group discussion where. Then they reflected, studied and discussed the three reports prepared by the preparatory commissions on the three topics Vocation Ministry, Missions, and Formation.
By the end of the day the brothers were able to summarize and highlight the content of the reports on three major sub topics.
Our Realities, Challenges and our Hopes
The period of Adoration in the evening animated by the Liturgy committee facilitated the brothers to reflect on their findings and their concerns before the Blessed Sacrament.
On Sunday, the brothers got into their groups once again and worked at their vision statement. Then the whole group got together and made the final vision statement.
There were two visiting brothers from the congregation of Missionaries of St.Francis from India. Their sharing was very prophetic and relevant to the theme of the programme.
During the concluding session the opportunity was given to the brothers to express their appreciations. After that Brother Sunanda the Provincial Superior of the Marist Brothers and Sr.Imaaculate Joseph the president of the major superiors gave short messages.
It was followed by the Eucharistic Celebration. His Grace Archbishop emeritus officiated at the mass. During mass the missioning of the brothers took place. After the Mass, with the family lunch all dispersed happily.
Brother Joseph