May 27th, 2017
Dear Members and friends,
We thank you for your continuous support and participation for community events that has paved way for many networking and social opportunities for Sri Lankans in Ottawa. This is an invitation to ALL to participate and experience a Sri Lankan event.
June 24th – Kochchikade in Ottawa, Feast of St. Anthony (Includes a Tri-lingual service)
At St. Isidore Church, 1135 March Road, Kanata
Highlights of the 24th June event will be:
- Tying intention flags
- Raising of the Kodi Gaha(flag pole)
- Tri-lingual mass
- Procession (surola yama)
- Blessing of the crowd
- Community pot-luck
- Karaoke in Tamil, Sinhalese, and English
Summary
This history of the Sri Lankan Church feast dates back to many centuries ago when there were fewer priests present in Sri Lanka. Around the date of the significant event of a Saint, each church holds a feast to celebrate it and in thanksgiving for the intercession provided. When one church holds a feast, all the surrounding churches cancels their usual service on Sunday and asks the patrons to go to the church where there is a tall flag pole (kodi gaha) is hoisted. So villagers would look for this and will proceed to attend the service and this is why there is a large presence on the day of. Families would hang a flag on the kodi gaha in seeking favors (bhara wenawa as called in Sinhala). Usually, there are daily services before the feast and the service before the feast is called “Vespas”. There are celebrations around the hoisting and lowering of the kodi gaha. Each village/area sometimes have different traditions. While there cannot be daily services before the feast, the statue of St. Anthony that will be used for the service will be available for families to do Novinas. Please email anura@ferdinand.ca to coordinate/book the novena with the statue.
The feast of St. Anthony in Sri Lanka draws large crowds of many ethnicities from around the country who have obtained many favors by praying to St. Anthony. Thus St. Anthony remains as one of the most popular Saints among Catholics. There are quite a few churches dedicated to St. Anthony in Sri Lanka and one of the most prominent one is at Kochchikade/Kotahena in Sri Lanka.
While in Ottawa, SLCAO will liaise with Catholics and their friends to bring you an event that will symbolize the key events of a cultural church feast in Sri Lanka.
Pictures of the last year’s event can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SriLankaCanadaAssociationOfOttawaslcao/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1350493348310875
9 Novenas
There will be 9 novenas that will be offered leading to the 24th June event. If your family needs to host a novena, please respond on or before the 5th of June. Novenas will start on the 15th of June. Since there is only 9 novena’s, requests will be based on a first come first serve basis and grouped based on proximity. Please contact Anura Ferdinand 613-700 4849/ edward@ferdinand.ca if you wish to obtain a novena.
The format of the novena:
- Arrival of the statue of St. Anthony
- Fr. Lal Pushpadewa Fernando OMI or another priest (yet to be confirmed) will join via Skype to preside/moderate the novena
- The novena will be broadcasted live via Kochchikade in Ottawa FaceBook page for others to join in.
- All required prayer leaflets will be provided
Community Potluck Lunch
we estimate about 150 people to show up. We need help from the community to arrange food for the potluck. Here is the suggested menu. Please reply to this email, if you wish to contribute any food items. Those who respond to this email regarding food items will be notified /communicated shortly by the organizers.
Please provide 20-25 serving from the following items.
– RICE (80 cups)
– CHICKEN CURRY
– DHAL
– BEANS
– POTATOE TEMPERED
– PORK BLACK CURRIES
– PAPADAM
– DHAL WADE
DESSERT
– ICE CREAM
– FRUITS
– SWEETS (AS YOU PREFER)
DRINKS
– WATER
– SOFT DRINKS
Please keep the day June 24th for Kochchikade in Ottawa (Feast of St. Anthony) held at St. Isidore Church, 1135 March Road in Kanata.
Thank you!
Executive Committee,
SLCAO