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

mission and ministry of the Oblates in the dioceseof Jaffna. While appreciating the Oblates fortheir contribution to the local church, his Lordshipexpressed gratitude and indebtedness ofthe diocese to Fr.General for the oblate missionarieswho were the forerunners in the building up ofthe diocese.Fr. Director briefed the work carried out by theinstitution among the multi religious people and especiallyamong the victims of war. He stated thatthis counseling Centre was serving also the childrenwho are mostly the victims of Tsunami andwho became destitute consequent to the war.Going beyond religious and social barriers, the centreembraces all of them. Thus it provides psychosocialanimation programmes to the traumatizedand widows and orphans. There were many culturalitems staged and Father General was admiring thetalents exhibited by the little ones. The programmecame to a close with a fellowship dinner.At the Institute for Counsellingand Ongoing Formation (ICOF)At the Bishop’s HouseOn the 13 th morning Father General paid a visit tothe Bishop of Jaffna diocese. His Lordship welcomedhim and had a brief sharing about thepresent situation of his diocese and the types ofministries pursued in the post-war period. Therewas an exchange of views also regarding theOn the 13 th morning at 10.30, Father Generaltogether with Fr. Provincial was welcomed at theICOF by Sr. Rina HC, the directress, the staff, theparents and the children of different religions whoare the beneficiaries of this institution. Fr. Generalwas led to the conference hall to view the exhibitionprepared by the children and then there was acultural programme with varieties.The centre is focusing on our youth and young adultsin order to create a peace – loving and healthysociety in our land that is torn apart by war andviolence. We try to create a new culture of peacesaying no to a gun culture. It is very difficult toconvince the youngsters that there are other healthyways of dealing with conflict. The work is verychallenging but we go on targeting many schools.Our priority is to help the students who experiencetrauma in the post-war era. This centre trainscounselors and social leaders.6 Yazha Thoni