Volume : 4 April/June Year : 2014/15_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Catholic Church Calendar dedicates the Month of May to “Blessed Virgin Mary” the most Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ and the world over celebrates the “Mother’s Day” on 2nd Sunday of May i.e. 10.05.2015. Sometimes, I wonder whether this

Mother’s Day celebration is merely a remembrance and a day to focus attention, because I see lots of children buying gifts and flowers, send greetings on this day. But how many children really care for their mothers. If it is so, why do we find many mothers left alone in Elders

Homes, waiting for their children, to hear their voices and see them physically. They long for their children so much, that it brings tears to their eyes just to speak about them. Mothers are all proud of their children, no matter whetherthey are rich or poor. Most Mothers have given their Life and Love to children just like Mother Mary who was with Jesusuntil his death on the cross. The Children need the guidance and protection of theirMothers when they are small, but today all over the World the people are lost in the world of Money, Drug Addiction, Corruption, Abuse etc. Therefore, Let us pray to the “Blessed Mother” the Virgin Mary to guide the children of the world, specially.the mothers to carry on their God given vocation and bea source of comfort to the children and build their familieswith true Christian Values for the betterment of Society.

Christian Emphasis

Inside this IssueEditorial/Blessed Mother Pg. 1

Christian Emphasis / Club Activities Pg 2 Special Projects/ YMCA Liaison /Intl. Relations Pg. 3

Wise African Proverbs Pg.4 & 5Picture Gallery Pg. 6

From the Editors Desk

Your Grass is Green

But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48 NKJV)

We’re all familiar with the phrase, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” It seems true. A part of the human heart wants to focus on what others have, and before long we completely lose sight of what we have. Even as the issue of generosity is raised, there’s bound to be those who say to themselves, “But I don’t have anything to be generous with.” The reality is that many of us have been abundantly blessed.For example, if you woke up this morning, you’re ahead of the people who didn’t survive the past week. If you are able to sit down, read the paper, and drink a cup of coffee, you’re better off than the men, women, and children around the world who are presently experiencing the horrors of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, and the pangs of starvation. If you can attend church without the threat of persecution, then you have a freedom envied by others who’ve never been inside a church. If you have food, clothes, and a roof over your head, you’re richer than most of the people on earth. If you have money in your purse, wallet, or bank, you are wealthier than others.. If you own a Bible, you’re better off than the ones who have never seen one. If you can read, you’re ahead of the people who are illiterate.Regardless of what we do for a living or the income we earn, almost all of us fall into the category of those to whom much is given . After putting this in perspective, we see that we simply don’t have the excuse of not having anything to share with others. It’s time to stop looking at what others have, appreciate what we have, and start asking God what He requires of us. Look at your life and make a list of how God has blessed you. Whom can you share your blessings with?

Suranganie Francis

Very Valuable Relationships

Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20 GW)

In the automotive industry, value is determined by longevity. If a certain make or model has the good reputation of lasting longer, then it’s going to have a higher price tag. The same thing goes for dishwashers, refrigerators, toasters, wristwatches, televisions, batteries, ink pens, and even deodorants. The value of something is linked to its enduring qualities.

This should cause us to reconsider how much value we place on our relationships. Fewer things in life have the ability to influence us more than our relationships. And if these relationships are influencing us to live our lives for God’s greater glory, then we also know that our spiritual bank account in heaven is being bolstered:

People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. The day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done. If what a person has built survives, he will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:12-14)

We also know that these heavenly riches are beyond the reach of this world’s devices. They are permanently eternal, unable to be touched by the corrosive laws of nature or even the corrupted nature of many. They are beyond any earthly value. When a Christian challenges you to explore your faith, they are leading you to reap an eternal reward. Or when a friend encourages you to press on when you feel like quitting and giving up in your service to God, it is more precious than the entire material in universe.

God-based relationships are far more valuable than we give them credit for. Let’s appreciate what they’re worth by virtue of what they allow us to accomplish, and let’s thank God for blessing us with these very valuable relationships.

How much value do you place on your relationships? How can you show an important person in your life that you consider your relationship with him or her to be very valuable?

Club Activities

Donated 10 kilos of rice to the ‘David Jayasundera Home for Elders’ - sponsored by YM Ranaraj and Menette Mystica. Cost – Rs.1,000/- each monthly.

A university student studying at the Peradeniya University was given Rs.1,000/- for his education - sponsored by YM Deepthi and Menette Shanthikusum monthly.

A deserving student coming to the YMCA Moratuwa was given Rs.1,000/- for educational purposes, sponsored by YM Deepthi Perera monthly..

Rs.4,000/- worth of milk powder packets were given to The Blessings Child Care Moratumulla by YM Godfrey and Mnt.Surangani monthly.

Mnt.Srikanthi has donated Rs.1,000/- to Princess of Wales’ College, Moratuwa to be given to a deserving school girl monthly.

YM Prasantha and Mnt.Sharmalee gave a dinner to the children of St.John’s Home Moratuwa. The cost of the project was Rs.6,000/-.

Special Projects :

1. Donated Rs.31,800/- to St.Joseph’s Church, Uyana, Moratuwa in April to cushion the kneeling benches of the two side chapels. 4 Members attended.

2. Donated equipment to the value of Rs.34,350/- to the Ayurvedic Hospital, Lunawa, Moratuwa in May 2015. 8 Members attended.

3. Donated Rs.60,000/- to Charles and Roslin Fernando Elders Home, Pannipitiya, Kottawa to repair a room and toilet in May 2015. 6 Members attended.

4. Donated Rs.40,000/- to Mrs.Rani in May 2015 to repair her house which was in a dilapidated condition. 3 Members attended.

5. Donated a gas cylinder and accessories to the value of Rs.7,426/- to Ayurvedic Hospital Lunawa, Moratuwa. 2 members attended.

6. The Blessings Child Care Moratumulla informed that they need Rs.12,400/- per month for feeding the 32 children. The donation of Rs.10,000/- given by the Norway guests were chanelled for this project and the balance Rs.2,400/- was donated by our club towards feeding the children for a month. Total value of the project – Rs.12,400/-. 02 members attended.

YMCA Activities

A donation of Rs.5,000/- was given to the YMCA Moratuwa for the programme on child abuse.

AGM of the Moratuwa YMCA was held on 27th March, 2015. YM Godfrey Francis, YM Prasantha de Silva, YM Deepthi Perera and YM Nihal Ferdinando were re-elected to the Board. YM Nihal Ferdinando was re-elected as the President.

YM Nihal F, YM Prasantha & YM Deepthi attended the AGM of the National Council of YMCAs on 23rd May, 2015held at Matara and Moratuwa YMCA won the award for Best YMCA.

International Relations Corresponding with all the Brother Clubs. Aars Kimberene - Denmark, Charlotte Town

of Prince Edward Island -Canada, Thika Club - Kenya, Gobichetipalayam - South India & Ys Service Club of Adelaide Australia.

Hosted Elizabeth & Margaret, (daughters of YM Egil Odd) of Norway for lunch when they visited Sri Lanka by YM Godfrey and Mnt.Suranganie.

Hosted Elizabeth & Margaret (daughters of YM Egil Odd) of Norway for lunch and dinner of 9th April when they visited Sri Lanka by YM Prasantha and Mnt.Sharmaleeand took them to meet the RD and the Board Members when they had a Board Meeting.

Sent a letter congratulating YM Earl Foster of Charlotte Town our Brother Club on his election as Area President, Area Canada.

Hosted BF Delegate YM Prasanna Kumar Nanda and his wife from India by YM Godfrey & Mnt. Suranganie.

Wise African ProverbsEvery continent has its proverbs, and Africa has plenty astute ones handed down from generation to generation. These sensible sayings paint a vivid picture of African life and encourage everyone to be their best. I hope you will be as inspired and touched as I was by these wise words.

Picture Gallery

Photos of ASF Oration organized by our own President YM Errol Gibson.

Photos of Club Projects :

Before Repairs to Rani’s house After repairs to Rani’s house Donation to repair room & toilet at Charles & Roslin Fernando Elders Home

Donation to cushion kneelers at church After cushioning kneelers Donation to Ayurvedic hospital at Lunawa, Moratuwa