Solidarity with Sri Lankan people

Over 310 people are dead and more than 400 injured on Easter Sunday, when three blasts occurred as worshippers attended morning Mass and further blasts occurred in nearby luxury hotels.

The Marist of Champagat have a strong presence in Sri Lanka and have some activities in the Colombo and Negombo areas. The Marist founded and administered Maris Stella College in Negombo is located close to St Sebastian’s Church – one of the three Churches targeted. Br. Michael De Waas reported that some of our students and parents are also injured and dead.

Let’s pray for the school community as they have been impacted by these horrific events. Let’s pray for the people of Sri Lanka, especially for the victims.

News from Br Rod Thomson, working at our Novitiate in Tudella

"Last week our eleven newly professed Brothers, including our three, first ever, new Brothers from East Timor, flew out of Sri Lanka, and are now on a home holiday. Our remaining seven novices have been busy organising and playing music for all our Easter liturgies. And then, at the end of Easter Sunday morning Mass in our local Parish we heard the news of the first bomb blasts. Like so many others we were uncertain and checked news sites for more information. Disbelief turned to horror when we learned of the extent of the loss of life. That night, the local Lay Marists in our area organised a prayer gathering for us and our neighbours. About 50 people turned up. Today, Monday, it is eerily very quiet where we are … few cars on the roads, shops closed, even the dogs aren't barking!

Our prayers over these days are for all the victims and their families, and also for our new novices. They’ll be coming on three different flights, the first this Wednesday night (April 24). In total they’ll be five from East Timor and one from Vietnam. No doubt they, and their families, will be extremely worried about the state of the country they’re flying into."

Brothers Daily News 438