St. Sebastian’s College OBA, UK branch began it’s 20th Anniversary here in the UK by Celebrating the Feast of the Patron Saint, St. Sebastian, combined with the Sri Lankan Sinhala Catholic Chaplaincy, on Sunday the 13th January 2013, at St. Martin & St. Michael’s Church in Hounslow, West London.

The Ceremony commenced at 3.30 pm with reciting the Holy Rosary in Sinhala and followed by singing the Litany of St. Sebastian. The Festive Mass was Concelebrated by Rev.Fr Rohitha Rodrigo assisted by Rev. Fr. Lylie Fernando at 4.00 pm. In his homily, Fr. Lylie Fernando gave a brief history of St. Sebastian and told of how he sacrificed his life for his faith in God during the time when Christianity was banned by the thenRoman Empire.

Around 200 devotees from Sri Lankan Sinhala Catholic Chaplaincy and members of the OBA attended this feast inUK, which is one of the most celebrated and popular feasts inSri Lanka. After the Holy Mass four members of the OBA, carried the beautifully decorated Statue of St. Sebastian around the church and the Procession was joined by the congregation singing the famous hymn “San Sebastian Muninduni”. The Choir of the Sri Lankan Sinhala Catholic Chaplaincy in Hounslow provided the music and beautiful hymns during the entire ceremony.

After the Procession everybody gathered at the Church hall for the celebrations. There were many types of refreshments such as kiribath with seeni sambal, cakes & varieties of snacks, which were brought by the members of both associations. Fr. Rohitha started with a Prayer and blessed the food and opened the party by cutting the cake. Everybody enjoyed the party by tasting the delicious food and drinks served by the ladies of the Chaplaincy, who voluntarily helped throughout the celebrations. Moratuwaties were in an euphoric mood and they were so pleased to meet up with some of their old school friends and families that they had not seen for many years. It was a very happy occasion and a Blessing for all who attended the Feast. During the Ceremony, Mr. Flavian Aponso, President of the OBA,  thanked the two Priests, the members of the Choir and the Altar Servers, the members and their families of the both associations, who really helped and contributed to make this event a very successful one.

The Celebrations concluded around 7.00 pm. The President and the Members of the OBA would like to celebrate St. Sebastian’s Feast as an annual event in the future. Mr Shermal Fernando who is a Committee Member of both Associations coordinated the event. Mr. Prashan Mendis, the official photographer of the OBA has taken the photos during the Feast.