On 2nd September 2017, Grand celebrations were held for Rev. Msgr. Neville Joe's Silver jubilee in the Holy Priesthood.

 

A colourful thanksgiving Holy Mass was held at St. Francis Xavier's Church, Wewala, Ja-ela in the Archdiocese of Colombo.

 

The homily was delivered by Most Rev. Dr. Valance Mendis, the Bishop of Chilaw.

 

In his homily, the bishop remembered the long-time friendship with the jubiliarian since Minor Seminary years and later at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.

 

Rev. Msgr. Neville after having completed the Philosophical studies at the National Seminary, started his journey in Italy as migrant worker as he left the motherland and the Theological  studies to assist his family financially, and it was in 1986 when he met then Rev. Fr. Malcolm Ranjith (now Cardinal) that he was given the opportunity to complete his theological studies at the Major Seminary in Lugano (Switzerland).

 

In fact on 4th September 1992 Monsignor Neville was ordained a priest by late Gilberto Card. Augustoni, Prefect of the Vatican Supreme court.

 

Rt Rev. Msgr. Valance Mendis underlined the commitment of Msgr. Neville for the establishment of more than twenty Catholic communities guided each by a Srilankan Priest in Italy. "Italy is like a Diocese where these twenty-two communities are like twenty-two parishes which cover the Italian peninsula from North to the Southern province of Sicily" the Bishop said.

 

His Eminence Malcom Card. Ranjith, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo while wishing “Ad multos annos” to the jubiliarian, thanked him for the work done to the migrants in Italy for more than twenty years and for the huge assistance in the beginning and completion of many projects of the Srilankan dioceses and Institutions.

 

Rev. Msgr. Neville Joe in his vote of thanks speech thanked the presents and in particular His Eminence Malcom Card. Ranjith for his friendship, presence, guidance and assistance. In his speech Mons. Neville thanked the Parish priest of Wewala, Rev. Fr. Sumith Kumar and those who worked hard for the organization of the Feast.

 

Their Lordships Most Rev. Dr. Noel Emmanuel Christian, the Bishop of Trincomalee and Most Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo participated too alongside with hundred of priests and a large crowd.

 

For the occasion a special souvenir and a hymns CD were released. Special thanks were for Mr. Somapala Rathnayaka, music Director and Rev. Fr. Saman Maximus regarding the Jubilee CD.

 

Several other celebrations are scheduled in Italy where Rev. Msgr. Neville is currently serving as National Coordinator for Catholic Migrants.

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Click here for more photos - Minal Digital Color Lab

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Photos by Mr Clifford Murray