It was in December 1970 that I arrived at the University in Peradeniya, as an engineering fresher and first met Fr James. He was the resident chaplain at the Church of Christ the Risen Lord, located at the foothills of Hantane.
He led the Student Christian Movement ably. Being widely read, interested in people, having experience working with young people and raising a young family himself were great assets. He traversed the length & breadth of the campus on foot paying pastoral visits to groups of students in their rooms in the residential halls.
His sermons were well crafted & suitable for a university congregation. He oft repeated the words attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
My connection with Fr James and family deepened when I visited him in mid-1977 at St Michael’s Polwatte, to inquire if he could partake in my wedding service. He agreed at once, even though the date coincided with his 51st birthday! My wife Niranjala and I kept in touch with him & family over the years, visiting them at six parishes in Colombo, and later in retirement at the Cathedral premises.
He had peace and serenity, living side by side with his devoted wife. The close knit unit of their three children and two grandchildren had frequent reunions, meeting the parents at least once a year. The blessings he had bestowed to many people now spread around the globe, were returned in good measure to Fr James during his time on earth via his loving family. May his loved ones be comforted knowing of the part they played in this divine acknowledgment of a “good and faithful servant”.
It was in December 1970 that I arrived at the University in Peradeniya, as an engineering fresher and first met Fr James. He was the resident chaplain at the Church of Christ the Risen Lord, located at the foothills of Hantane.
He led the Student Christian Movement ably. Being widely read, interested in people, having experience working with young people and raising a young family himself were great assets. He traversed the length & breadth of the campus on foot paying pastoral visits to groups of students in their rooms in the residential halls.
His sermons were well crafted & suitable for a university congregation. He oft repeated the words attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
My connection with Fr James and family deepened when I visited him in mid-1977 at St Michael’s Polwatte, to inquire if he could partake in my wedding service. He agreed at once, even though the date coincided with his 51st birthday! My wife Niranjala and I kept in touch with him & family over the years, visiting them at six parishes in Colombo, and later in retirement at the Cathedral premises.
He had peace and serenity, living side by side with his devoted wife. The close knit unit of their three children and two grandchildren had frequent reunions, meeting the parents at least once a year. The blessings he had bestowed to many people now spread around the globe, were returned in good measure to Fr James during his time on earth via his loving family. May his loved ones be comforted knowing of the part they played in this divine acknowledgment of a “good and faithful servant”.
