St. Anthony's Church, Rakwana:

An enduring tradition of love

The 118th Annual Feast of St. Anthony's Rakwana, will be celebrated today (21), presided over by the Bishop of Ratnapura, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, OSB

At the foot of the Bulutota Pass, 46 KM from Ratnapura and winding up through ten blind corners is Rakwana. An aerial view of the town shows a landscape covered by a green carpet of tea, bordered by rubber estates all artistically framed by the far away chain of Haputale hills, lorded over by the Adam's Peak. Rakwana is 1740 ft above sea level and gets categorized as mid-country.

In the days gone by, that is 118 or so years ago, the road from Madampe junction to Rakwana was an estate road. The Belgian priests came from Ratnapura travelled in Bullock carts, bringing with them a surfeit of love for the people living in this remote area. The people of Rakwana still remember with gratitude the names of these priests- Frs. A. Stsche, P. Volin, Gillet and J.B. Geredon.

In 1917, while the home country was torn by the First World War, Fr. Charles Louwers came to reside in Rakwana. To the intelligent children and youth of the area, he offered what at that time was a necessity - an English School - a means of development. Old pupils who have got a place in life because of the English education they received are grateful to the jovial Fr. Louwere.

To the uneducated Tamil estate workers, he brought happiness with 'the sound of music' and songs. A musician himself, he understood the needs these estate workers have for development and uplift. Songs and music are appreciated by them.

Heritage

The Belgian Jesuit Fathers transmitted their heritage to the first Ceylonese priest, Fr. Moses Perera, who succeeded in selecting the best from them and in the best of the national heritage, culture and genius.

The St. Anthony's school building, the buildings forming the convent unit, the house next to the Mission House are Fr. Moses' creations.

Shramadana and Sarvodaya were a living reality for Fr. Moses and his boys and girls. He believed in the spirituality and the formative values of manual work. Those were perhaps the best years of Rakwana Catholic life. A missionary clan was formed by Fr. Moses, of Catholics from the coastal area who came to Rakwana to work, to serve and to found a community. People welcomed them and helped them with the friendly loving assistance of Fr. Nives Rodrigo, Fr. Joseph de Silva and Fr. Emmanuel Fernando. Fr. Moses could afford to leave the parish now and then go on his preaching tours.

That's the way he worked 'miracles'. Wherever he went, he always believed the church meant the people. Hence, he went on building the living church of the younger generations.

St. Anthony's Church is Fr. Moses' gift to the youth or Rakwana.

Pioneers

Fr. Moses spent 15 years in Rakwana and was succeeded by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, who during his 18 years of service, tried to complete the work left unfinished by his predecessor. Sisters of the Holy Angels, who came to Rakwana, conducted the Nursery class. An English and Sewing tutory and apostolic service for the estate people were also conducted.

In 1966, Rakwana Parish gave birth to a daughter-parish in Kahawatta and another in Uda Walawe-Embilipitiya. One can imagine the amount of work the pioneers had in looking after such a vast territory! Fr. Alosius Perera and Fr. Nicholas Fernando, nephews of Fr. Moses, conducted the Diamond Jubilee of St. Anthony's Church on a grand scale.

Founder

Fr. Nicholas Fernando succeeded Fr. Henry Weeraratne, who made an effort to bring back the lapsed Catholics and started plans to erect a new church. Fr. Nicholas laid its foundations but stopped at that. Like his Uncle, Fr. Moses, he too realized society and people were more important than a church built with stones.

The tragic events of April, 1971 put him at the frontier of the revolutionaries' little kingdom of Sinharaja and Deniyaya. Fr. Nicholas proved he was the hero of Rakwana.

The founder of the first 'patriotic association', he emerged a hero for the occasion. His quality of understanding and love made him a friend to the military authorities and to the misled youth, who often preferred to surrender to him and through him to the police. His unlimited commitment to the welfare of the Rakwana people made him so popular that his transfer from Rakwana was challenged by the people (Catholics, Buddhists and Hindus), led by the late SLFP Minister V.T.G. Karunaratne, who tried to make the Bishop of Galle postpone it at least till after the Diamond celebrations. But the efforts were in vain.

Fr, Alosius Perera took over Rakwana under such strained circumstances but with serenity and determination he organised the celebrations.

Rakwana Parish was served by the following priests - Rev.Frs Stsche S.J. 01.03.1907, John B. Geradon, S.J. 11.02.1910, Charles Gillet S.J. 29.10.1913, Charles Louwers S.J. 26.10.1917, Moses Perera 10.12.1934, V. Emmanuel Fernando 12.05.1951, Henry Weeraratna 08.02.1967, Nicholas Fernando 19.09.1968, Alosius Perera 11.02.1973, Nelson Fernando 24.06.1974, Harold Marasinghe 16.05.1978, Policarp Fernando 27.07.1981, Harold Marasinghe 21.06.1982, Shelton Fernando 23.05,1983, Nihal Nannyakkara 31.05.1988, Herman Fernando 29.07.1990, Raymond Wickramasinghe 21.10.1992, Sisira Rienzie 06.04.1994, K.F.N. Gamini Perera S.J. 01.02.1998, Charles de Gaulle 10.10.1998, Ranjanmal Moraes 05.01.2004, Bonnie Bastian OMI 16.03.2008.

The incumbent Parish Priest of St. Anthony's Church is the Very Rev. Fr. Paul Fernando, a vocalist and an organist who has, along with the Parish Council members, organised the church feast successfully.

- Joseph Anthony, Dehiowita

Special Correspondent.