New look brings renewed spiritual upliftment

Voices raised in harmony, echoing throughout the hushed church. Choristers suffused in a red glow from the elegant lanterns discreetly placed, singing their hearts out, below the benevolent Christ on the cross high above the altar. It is a week before Christmas and the congregation of St. Joseph’s Church, Nugegoda, is awaiting the birth of Jesus, to bring about a renewal in their lives and hope not only for themselves but also for a beleaguered nation in agony over both man-made and natural disasters.

As the congregation gives ear to the age-old carols, and a bul-bul suddenly flies in from the darkness and hovers above the choristers, there is also wonderment at the changes that have taken place within the church, not only structural but also as a parish family.

The church is a far cry from what it was several years ago, when there were only basic facilities. Now the physical structures needed for spiritual upliftment are all in place, with a new look main altar, and additions of beautifully-carved timber side-altars for the Perpetual Succour, St. Joseph and Divine Mercy.

“Some people might say we should not develop the church but help the poor with whatever money we get. But people come to church to experience something divine and the atmosphere needs to be prayerful. And that prayerful atmosphere needs to be preserved and protected. As Isaiah says, ‘There is a need to build a new heaven and a new earth’,” explains Parish Priest Fr. Jude Sharman Fernando adding that helping the needy and developing the church were both happening hand-in-hand.

What initiated the revival of St. Joseph’s Church, under the wings of which come a flock as large as 1,500 families from different communities and strata?

For Fr. Sharman, the path was clear. He had to put order where there was disorder, so that men, women and children of St. Joseph’s parish would want to come to the house of God, not only for Sunday mass but also to seek solace and comfort whenever they wanted to. “People come to church to get some order and discipline, norms and ethics and preserve them and to feel the touch of God,” he says.

Gently and politely, the words spoken by the Parish Priest with regard to the renovation of the church were heartwarmingly accepted and responded to by the parishioners with support and understanding.

“When we celebrate religious rites and rituals and offer Holy Masses there must be supreme dignity, the dignity deserved by a place of God. It should not only be a dwelling place but also a place of sanctity. How can one preach in a place of disorder which is not conducive to the message being delivered? Any place of worship should be clean and kept in good order. When we thought of doing renovations we never ordered or compelled people to help, but secured their cooperation and funding. Funds should flow naturally to the church. People need to be touched enough to give willingly,” he said.

The whole parish prayed for the project that was launched “with no money in hand”.

But the funds did flow. He only had to say the word, with everyone giving of their mite and one benefactor pouring in large amounts. “When it was brought to light that funds were needed, the people’s commitment to God came in the form of millions.” The whole parish is now like one big family, with more and more children walking into the Daham pasela and the numbers rising due to the shepherdship of the Parish Priest.

Started on September 8, 2003, a major part of the work was concluded right in time for the Easter Sunday service in 2005, with the blessing taking place on that sacred day.

The whole church has been plastered, a new arch fixed atop the altar, new timber doors fixed, the floor tiled, the lighting and sound systems revamped……….the list goes on with more work such as the fixing of stained glass windows being on the cards.

As the congregation gathers at midnight today, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, sent as mankind’s Saviour, Fr. Sharman will send up a silent prayer for the divine grace which has not only enfolded the church but also his flock.