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YAZHA - THONI ahoj;njhdp

2013 Easter

Province of Jaffna

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From the Editorial Desk

New Pope Church is full of Hope The month of February, 2013 was filled with anxiety as Pope Benedict, xvi resigned from his papal office. But the month of March brought not only a great sense of relief but also a wide sense of joy as th Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected as the 266 th pope taking the name Pope Francis on the 13 of March, 2013. A simple Pope from the continent of Mayas! Pope Francis is the first pope from the 'New World' and first pope from the Society of Jesus. He was already noted for his simplicity and pastoral approach and he has taken the name of a great saint of simplicity, Francis of Assisi. He has already signaled and started to be 'different' in his going about in the short period as the chief shepherd. A religious pope, taking a great religious name and in conformity preludes his mode of approach. Some rush to entitle him 'people's pope'. Why not! It looks fitting so far! His sense of simplicity, concern for the poor & poverty, his pastoral and informal approach make him an example to many to us Oblates! We might wait for the new pope to come out with certain 'spirituality of mission' as he himself is from a mission land. Thanks to the Jesuits' spirituality that contributed towards constituting that of the Oblates.

Our Provincial Speaks:

Dear Brother Oblates, cordial Greetings and Many Blessings of the Easter Season. We a r e s t i l l celebrating the Joy of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. His victory over evil forces of the world has become our own victory over our own evil forces within and without. Thus the new Spirit and the new life brought by his decisive act of Resurrection linger deeply in our hearts motivating us to be transformed to become new disciples and new evangelizers. That means we are invited to go through an intense experience of the Spirit of the Risen Christ in our own lives and to share the new life with one another. This is the very core of our spirituality, apostolic witnessing and a solid foundation for a meaningful conversion. We live in the post modern era and naturally we are also caught up in the values that are constantly changing. We, as religious, with a unique value system and a particular way of life in pursuit of our oblate charism sometimes become victims to such modernism. Unlimited information technology, effects of globalization, secularism, consumerism and even modernism have a great impact in our lives as Priests and religious. Under the pretext of external transformation and growth we tempt to take Jesus, the high Priest who propagated a transformational empowerment for granted. That is the present reality of our priestly life. We are immersed in an ocean of complexity that we don't have time to be with ourselves nor with Jesus. There is no need for us to take him seriously as other things and persons are more serious and important. What happens is that we begin to lose the God- consciousness in our personal and collective lives. The modern society has a way of eroding priestly values that are meant to express our following of and conformity with Christ. May we spend some quality time for ourselves and come in touch with our real SELF. The Easter events invite us to go through a process of personal and collective conversion in the light of the passion and death of Jesus. Naturally it is a painful process towards Resurrection. Are we ready to shun the profane and to embrace the sacred? Are we ready to go through this process of painful death on the cross for the sake of our own Resurrection?
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We have to challenge ourselves of our own Spiritualities and consecration too because there are destructive values in and around our lives that are contrary to priestly values. What is the spirituality of Priests? The Spirituality of the Priests is the spirituality of Jesus Christ. The intimate heart - level relationship that he had with his Father. Because of this intimacy with his father, Jesus was able to freely love and work in obedience. This inner freedom made Jesus love his father unconditionally and to surrender to his will. That should be precisely the spirituality of the Priests. So, what is central to our spirituality is our objective configuration to Christ as Priest and Shepherd. We should be more configured to Christ that we in truth act in the name and in the person of Jesus Christ. This is the fundamental source of his spirituality. The words of Jesus at the last Supper serve as a constant reminder to us about who we are as his disciples. He prays to the father for his Apostles and says that they are in this world but are not of this world, even as he himself is in the world but doesn't belong to this world (Jn.17/14-16). St. Paul himself speaks frequently of our being citizens not of an earthly city but of an eternal city and therefore, not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of our mind, that we may discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect (Rom.12/2). Are we deeply rooted in the person of Jesus Christ? Is it a heart centered relationship? Are we taking him seriously? Are we experiencing a deep rooted intimacy with our own inner freedom to worship him in Spirit and truth? How much have we imbibed the values regarding God, Jesus? What is the image of him that engages our total personal commitment? Are we being prevented from having a personal experience of Jesus because of an ambivalent understanding of the place of God in our lives? Is God for us out there or within? Have we limited God only to the scheduled times of liturgy? Is God for us the God of each moment? The answers to such questions obviously touch the core of a lived priestly spirituality. So, we need to remind ourselves constantly of the consciousness of our priestly consecration and sacramental configuration to Christ which is at the heart of Priestly spirituality. The modern society will continue to pose a challenge to our ministry, to the loss of a sense of the sacred, a

loss of faith of humble service. There is no new life without death. Therefore, we have to be ready to suffer for the sake of Christ. Such challenge actually goes back to the time of St. Paul when the crucified Christ was considered, an obstacle to the Jews, madness to Pagans but to those who have been called whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God(1Cor. 1/23-25). Oblate mission without the Cross and Christ crucified is alien to us. What is the type of price that we pay to our unique vocation to the poor?. Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2Cor 4: 10 -12). Foreign Mission: As we have reflected together at our common forum, there is a great possibility for the Jaffna Province to take up the Mission in Denmark and Norway forming as one Unit. The initial work is over and the sharing among the Superior of the Danish Oblate Community, the Provincial of Poland and myself is over and now we await the draft to be submitted to the General Administration for confirmation. Please keep on praying for the successful move of this Project. I have explained to you all about this sufficiently at the common forum. It is up to the General to make the final decision. The joint meeting of the AORC and the Central Government, and the Inter Chapter will be held in Bangkok from the 13th April to May 3rd. I shall be participating at both sessions. In my absence, Fr.Stanislaus Philips will act for me. The Lebara Foundation is helping us to construct another 50 houses in Mullaitivu district for the war victims. Fr.Maria Sebastian OMI will coordinate the work with the help of the Provincial Treasurer. We have assisted to put up two halls for the education of Children at Mullikulam, in the Diocese of Mannar. Fr.Alban Rajasingham OMI will coordinate the work together with the Pastors of Mullikulam.
MAY THE PEACE AND JOY OF THE RISEN LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

M. Paul Nadchethiram OMI Provincial Superior, Province of Jaffna.

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Visit of the Bursar General to the Province of Jaffna

Rev.Fr.Marc Dessureault omi, the Bursar General visited the Oblates in their mission places around the province of Jaffna rd th from the 3 to the 10 Apr., 2013. This visit comes as a part of the visitation of the General Administration which visits the region. From the General Administration Fr.Marc is the first to visit the province other than Fr.Clement Waidyasegara omi, the General Councilor for Asia Oceania region. Fr.Marc's visit concentrated mostly on the Oblates and their missions and ministries while spending considerable time with the Oblates in First Formation. This visit gave him a better knowledge of the Province and its Oblates, the challenges and concerns of the province in evangelizing the poor. Arriving on the 3 of April, Fr.Marc went to Mannar where he met the Oblates at Iluppaikkulam, Thatchanamaruthamadhu and Arippu. He also paid a short visit to Our Lady of Madhu at the sylvestrian shrine. The Oblates working in the area met with Fr.Marc at the Pre-Novitiate after which Fr.Marc visited CRAADA, where the Oblates work with the alcoholic anonymous. Though travelling to the orphanage at Mulankavil via A-32 road demanded more time and energy, Fr.Bursar General commented his visit as worthwhile and it was more worth the trouble doing such mission to those most deserving. Passing the mission of Akkarayan-Skanthapuram, Annai Illam, Kilinochchi welcomed Fr.Marc. Following morning he met the Oblates in Vanni. The Provincial administration gathered at Kilinochchi for a meeting with Fr.Marc. Obtec, a vocational skill training center run by the Oblates in Kilinochchi, hosted Fr.Marc with lunch and after which he proceeded to Kokilai, an Oblate Mission at the extreme south-east end of the Diocese of Jaffna. Neither the scorching heat nor the tight schedule could stop Fr.Marc to cross the lagoon to reach out to the Oblates at Trincomalee the same evening. On detour th Fr.Marc visited the Oblate counselling centre at Mullaithivu, a war-torn city. On the 6 of April Fr.Marc arrived in Jaffna, the second foreign mission chosen by St.Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Oblates. To meet the Oblates, local bursars, formation houses and the suburb missions Fr.Marc allocated considerable time. Hitting the A-9 road towards Vavuniya Fr.Marc met with the preaching community and few more Oblates in the North central city. He proceeded to the central up-country missions at Lunugala and Haputale in the Diocese of Badulla. Visiting the Sacred Heart Novitiate at Bandarawela gave him a good chance to meet the novices and meeting the tea plantation missions at Haputale bears witness to the Oblate missionary spirit of evangelizing the poor. Towards the end of his trip Fr.Bursar General paid a 'pop-in visit' to Jaffna Oblates' residence in Colombo. A feeling of mutual fraternity was experienced by both the local Oblates and the visitor. Members were taken up with the enthusiasm and committedness of the Bursar General to go around meeting the Oblates with such a 'tight' visit schedule.
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Placements
Fr.Soosaiappu Anthony Poncian omi was installed as the Superior of Amala Uthayam, Oblate Community at Uppuveli, st Trincomalee, on the 1 of Nov., 2012 by the Provincial Superior, Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi. The members of the community and other Oblates in the District, the Vicar General, the Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Trincomalee and Fr.Francis Loshington omi, the Provincial Councillor were present on the occasion. Fr.Emmanuel Godfrey omi and Bro.Amirtharaj Dabarera omi were assigned as first and second assistants to the Superior respectively. Fr.Jeevanadas Fernando omi was appointed as the Director of the Obtec, Kilinochchi. Fr.Jeeva took up his new responsibility in Dec., 2012. Fr.Stanislaus Swampillai omi took charge of the parish of Kanagarayankulam in the Diocese of Mannar in Dec., 2012. Fr.A.Jesurajan omi, having followed a short refresher course in India, has taken his new ministry as assistant pastor at the parish of New Chetti Street, Colombo, in the Archdiocese of Colombo in January, 2013. Fr.Jeno Harance omi who was serving at the parish of Haputale in the Diocese of Badulla as assistant pastor, has been transferred to Arippu as its assistant pastor in the Diocese of Mannar in January, 2013. Fr.Arul Sutharson omi, who was working in Mullaithivu, joined the Haputale mission in March, 2013 to help the pastor as his assistant. Fr.Anthonimuthu Croos omi, at the request of the Bishop of the Diocese of Badulla, is to assist the parish priest, Badulla till June, 2013. Fr.Thevathasan Edwin omi who has been ministering as the Director of Jesuits Refugee Service, Jaffna has been transferred to Iruthayapuram, Mutthur, to be the assistant pastor. Fr.Edwin has taken up his new rd mission on the 3 of April, 2013.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
St.Francis of Assisi.

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Visits, Arrivals & Departures

Fr.Sebamalai Thuram omi returned from Australia in early January 2013.

Fr.Rohan Silva omi, the Provincial Superior of Colombo Province along with Fr.Eric Lakman, the coordinator for the AIT Programme visited De Mazenod Scholasticate, Jaffna on the 24th of Jan., 2013 for an evaluation of the AIT programme. Fr.Warren Brown omi, General Councillor for Canada-United States accompanied by Fr.Clement Waidyasegara omi, the General Councillor for Asia Oceania and Fr.Rohan Silva omi, the Provincial Superior of the Colombo Province, was on his mission of visiting the members and the missions in the Oblate Province of Colombo. Paying th a visit to the Pre-Novitiate in Mannar on the 4 of Apr., 2013 Fr.Warren met a few Jaffna Oblates around the place.

Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi, Provincial Superior left for Bangkok to participate in the joint meeting of the AORC and the Central Government, th rd and the InterChapter 2013 to be held from the 13 of Apr. to the 3 of May, 2013.

Fr.Aloys Terliesner, Missionsprokur, Germany came on a mission visit to Kilinochchi and Jaffna. Fr.Terliesner who supports the Oblates missions and formation, went around a few of the Oblate missions during his short visit from Jan. 8 10, 2013.

Perpetual Vows & Diaconate

Bros.James Alphen Segar, Arulappu Vimalanathan, Velautham Anton Justin, Anthonipillai Thevavasantharasa and Jesurajah Gerald from De Mazenod Scholasticate, Jaffna made their Perpetual Oblation in the Congregation of the Oblates th of Mary Immaculate on the 10 of Dec., 2012 at the church of Our Lady of Refuge, Jaffna. Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi, the Provincial th Superior presided over the Eucharistic celebration. On the following day, 11 of Dec. the five Newly Professed Oblates were ordained deacons by Rt.Rev.Dr.Thomas Savundaranayagam, the Bishop of Jaffna at the same church.

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Formation
Asia-Oceania Formators' Conference 2013 (AOFC 2013) was held in Manila & Cotabato, th th Philippines from the 14 Jan. to- 20 Jan., 2013. The Oblate Formation units around the Asia-Oceania region were represented by 18 members from 12 units ( Australia, Bangladesh, China, Colombo, India, Indonesia, Jaffna, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand / Laos & Vietnam) Fr.S.P.J.Pachchek omi participated from Jaffna and Fr. Paul Nadchethiram omi, participated in the programme as the AOFC Chairperson. Bro.Noel Garcia omi, from the Oblate Province of the Philippines was the Chairman of the Organizing body of AOFC 2013, Philippines. f Pre-Novitiate in Mannar commenced its formation programme for the current year on the 22nd of Feb., 2013 with eleven pre-novices (Jaffna 4, Colombo 2, Bangladesh 4, Pakistan 1). Four jouniorists from St.Joseph's Oblate Juniorate, Jaffna joined the Pre-Novitiate in Mannar. f At the completion of his mission at Gnanodayam, Mannar in Jan., 2013, Fr.Jacob Yogarajah omi went to India to participate in a spiritual refreshing programme in Bangalore. f Publications from the Scholasticate: De Mazenod Scholasticate has resumed publishing Naanpsychological magazine after a break. The scholastics, as usual, this year also put out a booklet; reflections on the Stations of the Cross named Siluvaiyin Nilal. f The Formation Committee meeting was held in Mannar on the 13th of March, 2013 to discuss the formation programme in the formation houses and to work on the compilation of a formation directory.

Forthcomings
Anpaham Mulankavil: The orphanage at Mulankavil would welcome its new director in June 2013. Till then it is looked after by Fr.Vincent Patrick omi and Deacon Justin omi. Annual Retreats 2013: The preliminary preparations for the annual retreats 2013 are underway. Rev.Fr.Fabio Ciardi omi, Rome would be preaching two retreats to the members of Colombo and Jaffna provinces; one in Kandy (from 11 17 Aug., 2013) and the other at Madhu (from 25 31 Aug., 2013) There will be another retreat preached by Fr.Jerome Lambert omi in Jaffna (17 25 Nov., 2013) Priestly Ordinations: The priestly ordinations of the three deacons will be held on the 6 of June, th 2013 in Jaffna and of the other two will be on the 15 of June, 2013 in Mannar.
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News in Brief
Annual Retreats: The Oblates of the province gathered at Gnanodayam, Mannar, in two groups for their annual retreat in Nov., 2012. The first retreat was preached by Fr.Gerard de Rozairo omi from Nov. 4 to Nov. 11, 2012 and the second retreat was conducted by Fr.Paul Satkunanayagam sj from Nov. 18 to Nov. 23, 2012. OBTEC Exhibition & Awarding Ceremony: There were an exhibition and awarding ceremony at the Life Skill Training Centre at Obtec, Kilinochchi on the 12 of Nov., 2012.

Jubilee Celebration: On the 24 of Nov., 2012 Fr.P.P.Philip omi celebrated the 50 Anniversary of his Sacerdotal Ordination. The members of the province gathering at Gnanodayam, Mannar, organized a simple but beautiful thanksgiving mass and a fellowship meal.

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Fr.A.B.Vincent omi completed very successfully his Dip. in Ed. at the National Institute of Education in 2012.

Fr.Prveen Mahesan omi was called upon to appear before an inquiry panel in Colombo in early Jan., 2013 to explain his Peace & Reconciliation ministry.

Foreign Missions: Fr.Victor Jeyasingham omi and Fr.Edmund Reginald omi are in Norway under a mission contract with the Bishop of Oslo.

Fr.S.Anpurasa omi brought out another collection of Tamil Christian songs in Jan. 2013. The CD, named 'Unthan Ninaivinile' (-in memory th of you-) was released by Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam on the 6 of Jan., 2013 in Jaffna. Fr.S.A.Poncian omi completed very successfully his Masters in Education at the University of Jaffna in December, 2011. The graduation took place on 28 Feb., 2013. Young Oblates' Gathering: The young Oblates of the province met in Mannar for two days after Easter (11 12 Apr., 2013) for their periodical animation programme.

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Call to the Eternal Bliss

Mrs. Swampillai Chellakandu, the grandmother of Fr.A.B.Vincent omi, passed away in May, 2012 in Jaffna. Fr.G.Luxman of the Diocese of Jaffna passed away on the 14 of Nov., 2012. Mr.G.M.R.Jesuthasan, the elder brother of Bishop Victor Gnanapragasam omi, expired in rd Colombo on the 23 of Nov., 2012. Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Trinco Batti, Bishop L.R.Antony was called to Eternal Bliss on rd the 3 of Dec., 2012. Mr.S.Adaikalam, the paternal uncle of Fr.B.Jeyabalan omi passed away on Dec. 5, 2012 in Vavuniya. Fr.Tissa Balasuriya omi, of the Province of Colombo passed away on the 17 of Jan., 2013 in Colombo. Mrs.Christinamma Gnanamuthu, the mother of Fr.Wenceslaus omi and Fr.Pilendran, was called to Eternal Bliss on January 22, 2013 in Jaffna. Mr.Sebasty Anthtony, the father of Fr.Sylvester omi, was called to Eternal Bliss on March 16, 2013 in Kilinochchi. While extending our sympathies to our fellow priests and to their family members & friends we pray that they rest in Peace of the Risen Christ!
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Is it always true?
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

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Oblate Centre, Annai Illam, Kilinochchi Extends its mission in Vanni

The Oblates return to Annai Illam which was heavily damaged due to war. As people started to come back to their own places which were erased to the ground the Oblate centre moved in to launch services to the people returning to their home town and villages from the IDP camps. Formally it was built as a Centre for Association for Counselling and Psychological Education serving the community mostly affected by the civil war. In the aftermath of the final war this Centre is set up mainly as a centre for social services with the name 'Oblate Social Services' (OSS). Fr.Anthony Sylvester omi, the Director of OSS ensures the services, and the up-lifting programmes are reaching out to the people-in-need. Fr.Maria Sebastian omi, the Director of the counselling centre in Mullaithivu has his desk at Annai Illam to extend his services to the needy in the area. Fr.Damian omi and Fr.Vijendran omi at AnjaliAham, at Point Pedro, Jaffna contribute their services likewise. Fr.Vincet Patrick omi, the director of CRAADA, Mannar extends his services to provide courses in counselling and study of English language. The mission undertaken by this centre is multifaceted and they are supported by our mission partners like Caritas International Germany and with generous donors. The centre also gives rooms for other Oblate and non-Oblate institutions to extend their services to the people. In provides services of these types: The Relief and Rehabilitation program for the returnees. Income-generation program for the widows, Scholarship programs for the children, Interfaith Villages Computer training Sewing Lebara Housing Scheme After school program Handicrafts Collaboration with the Oblate Counselling Centre in Mullaithivu and Point Pedro. Rehabilitation and Self-Help: Through different material and financial helps the centre tries to help the returnees to restart their lives by providing them with building materials, tools and utensils. Income generation programmes help mostly the women-headed families to earn their daily living. 'Interfaith Villages' is another innovative mission that people of different beliefs live in a particular area and work closely supporting each other to ensure the income of their small industry of farming, fishing etc. Sewing and handicraft training programme help the trainees to earn something for their livelihood. After School Programme and Computer Training Programme: The beneficiaries of this programme are mainly the students. As education facilities are very much limited in the region the programme gives the chance to the students to work outside school that they are enabled to keep pace with the current demands of the system. It is an additional and more personal care study opportunity provided by the centre. In addition to that there are more than 500 students helped with scholarship funds. This scholarship is a blessing for the poor students who might give up their academic formation due to lack of financial support from their own families. Lebara library - Educational Resource Centre in collaboration with Lebara Foundation is another service to the people. Fr. Jeevendra Paul omi, the Grant Director channelled Lebara Foundation which now collaborates in our service to the poor. Establishing a library in Kilinochchi by the Oblates refreshes the memory of an Oblate, Fr. Timothy Long omi, an active member of the Library Committee and a prime force in establishing the public library which had been burnt down between May 30 to June 2, 1981.

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Lebara Library is an educational resource Centre that would provide children and adults the opportunity to acquire knowledge and academic skills on their road to human development. Lebara Resource Centre (ERC) reflects a new and modern concept. It is a multifunctional and interactive institution geared to meet the educational needs of the community. Lebara Housing Scheme - New Houses Handed over to the Beneficiaries Lebara Foundation, United Kingdom has become one of the mission partners of the Oblates in Jaffna especially with regard to the relief and rehabilitation endeavours of the province. This is the second time that Lebara Foundation financed our Oblate-Lebara Housing scheme this time in Vanni. Fifty families who were left homeless after the war at Murasumoddai, Paranthan received those houses to restart their lives after a three-year gap. There are some thousands still waiting for some organization's help to have a roof to sleep under. Finding finance is already hard and acquiring due permission to undertake such humanitarian aid is harder as the procedure remains complicated and slow. Thanks to the Oblate Grand Commission, Rome, Lebara Foundation UK and the Housing Scheme coordinators Frs.T.Edwin omi and Rene Beshman omi and the OSS Director Fr.A.Sylvester omi for working hard for the completion of the scheme. It was on the 17th of Feb., 2013 those 50 houses were handed over to the beneficiaries. Mr.Gopakumar Nair, the Director of Lebara Foundation, Fr.Jeevendra Paul omi, the Grand Director, Fr.Paul Nadchethiram omi, the Provincial Superior, Fr.A.Sylvester omi, the Director of OSS, Oblates priests, religious and military personnel along with many more local dignitaries graced the occasion. Lebara Foundation, UK is extending its partnership with the Oblates in Jaffna to undertake building another

set of 50 houses for the resetllers in Mullaithivu. The preliminary works for the proposed housing scheme are already underway.

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Editorial Board: Fr.S.P.J.Pachchek omi, Fr.P.P.Philip omi & Fr.Vincent Patrick omi.