Present Functionalities of Saint Mary’s Church, Welivita
Saint Mary’s Church, Welivita, with a rich and proud history spanning over 150 years, continues to serve as a spiritual home for a diverse and devoted community. Guided by Divine wisdom, direction, and insight from God the journey that began over a century and a half ago has been marked by unwavering dedication, resulting in remarkable growth in every spiritual aspect of the parish community.
Today, the Catholic community of the Parish of Welivita, situated amidst rapidly developing neighborhoods composed of diverse ethnic and religious groups, is part of an increasingly multicultural and multireligious society. Despite these changes, the Parish of Welivita has successfully preserved its Catholic identity by upholding shared spiritual, cultural, and social values rooted in the Catholic faith and tradition. This identity is expressed through collective practices such as the celebration of the sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, the sharing of the Word of God, prayer meetings, devotional services, and the observance of the liturgical seasons.
“To encourage active participation and promote church development, parishioners are invited to serve as members of various church committees and societies. These organizations empower both the church and its members to share the responsibility of living out their faith and contributing to the mission of building God’s Kingdom.
The Parish Council, led by the Parish Priest, functions as the church’s main advisory body. It comprises all BCC leaders, SCC leaders, and representatives from other church societies.
Sunday School plays a vital role in nurturing the faith of the younger generation. The Parish Priest holds the key responsibility as the Principal of the Sunday School. A well-trained, qualified, and experienced teacher is appointed as the Vice Principal, who, together with the Board of Catechists, contributes immensely to the spiritual growth of all the children in the parish.
Furthermore, the Sunday School includes the Board of Prefects, Children’s Choir, Altar Servers’ Society, Holy Childhood Society, Young Christian Students Movement, and the Media Unit.
Other societies, such as the Youth League, the Legion of Mary, the Sacred Heart Society, the Church Development Committee, the two Senior Choirs, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, offer unique opportunities for spiritual growth and service. These groups contribute through event organization, fundraising, and supporting various church operations. In doing so, they help the church fulfill its core mission of worship, discipleship, and the promotion of key aspects of the Christian faith.
Today, the church plays a multifaceted role: it serves as a center of spiritual life, a pillar of moral guidance and truth, a builder of community, and a provider of both social and spiritual support. Its current goals are to foster worship and discipleship, promote community and fellowship, spread the Gospel through evangelization, and actively engage in service.
BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS TO MAKE THE DONATIONS
- BANK – HATTON NATIONAL BANK KADUWELA
- ACCOUNT HOLDER – ST MARY’S CHURCH WELIVITA KADUWELA
- SAVINGS ACCOUNT NUMBER – 082020346595
- CURRENT ACCOUNT NUMBER – 082010024719
