Fr. Marcelene Jayakody used music to heal social wounds: Bishop
Speaking at the commemoration of the 22nd death anniversary of late Rev Fr Marceline Jayakody on 15th Jan. 2020, held at the Dankotuwa Town Council, Rev. Valence Mendis -Bishop of Chilawsaid: ‘I am indeed glad to be present on this occasion'. The Bishop recalled that ten years ago, he attended the 10th anniversary commemoration of the maestro, at this very same venue.
I'm deeply appreciative he said, that the commemoration ceremony had been organised to celebrate the life of a man of God, who had dedicated his life to using music as a medium to help this country's people to live in harmony. The holding of the commemoration annually over the past two decades is deeply appreciated, the Bishop said.
Speaking further, he said Fr. Jayakody became a household name because of his yoeman service in the field of culture and arts and discriminated against no one.
Lester James Peiris a pioneer and genius of the Sinhala cinema, entrusted Fr Marceline Jayakody with the responsibility of composing all the songs for his first historical Sinhala Film, ' Rekha’ . Speaking furhter the Bishop recalled Fr. Jayakody recognised a unique characteristic of Sri Lanka being based on its religosity and thus built up strong bonds between Catholics and Buddhists.
Because of his commitment Fr. Jayakody became known as ‘Pansale Piyathuma’ and in this we see one of the aspects of his life dedicated to living in harmony, the Bishop concluded.
Delivering the key address Ven Dr. Maitipe Wimalasara, Chief Incumbant of Sri Paramadarma
Chetiya Temple said ‘ Fr Marceline Jayakody’s life was compassionate as he loved everyone . He was moved by the brutal killing of Buddhist monks at Aranthalawa .
At a special ceremony at the the Godella K. V. where Rev Fr Marceline had his primary education, the school was re- named the ' Kalashoori Marceline Jayakody Piya Viduhala’. A special thanks giving mass was of fered in memory of Fr Marceline Jayakody by Very Rev Fr Erwin H. Moraes Provincial of the OMI concregation of which Fr. Jayakody was a member.
Five students of this school were also given scholarships, fulfilling a desire Fr Marceline had during his life. The ceremony was organized by the Kalashoori Fr Marceline Jayakody Foundation and Parish Priest of Godella,