Yazha Thoni: OMI Newsletter Sep-Dec 2009 - oblate province of ...

On his way back to Gnanodhayam from the Bishop’shouse, Father General paid a short visit to theRosarian Sisters. The sisters were very happy to seeFather General in their midst. The happiness of thesisters was that they saw a father in the person offather General. They expressed their concern for theOblates and assured of their prayers.Addressing the Priestsand Religiousreflecting on the need for reconciliation. After theaddress, there were spontaneous questions andanswers. His Lordship, Rayappu Joesph, the bishopof Mannar, also addressed the gathering. This wasfollowed by the fellowship tea.With the‘Anpaham’ ChildrenOn the 22 nd evening, after the addressing the priestsand religious, Father General also visited thechildren of the ‘Amala Annai Anpaham’ Orphanagepresently residing in Mannar due to thedisplacement.Fr. Benignus OMI, the director of the orphanagewelcomed Father General in the presence of thechildren and some oblates. The children wereoverjoyed to have Father General with them.Father General too was very happy to be with thechildren who had just returned from the IDP camps.On the 22 nd evening, Father General was given awarm welcome by the Parishioners of St. Sebastian’scathedral under the leadership of Fr.K.Devaraja, thePastor of the Cathedral. Father General wasgarlanded at the entrance and taken to theconference hall led by the school musical band.A large number of priests and religious working inthe diocese gathered on this occasion. FatherProvincial introduced Father General to thegathering. Father General addressed the gatheringFr. Alfred OMI who brought all the children out fromVanni safe and sound amidst numerousdisplacements, bombing and shelling, shared withFather General the heart aching experiences, thedifficulties they underwent during the last lap of thewar in which thousands of people were killed.14 Yazha Thoni