Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Bede Nihal De Silva
Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Halpathota, Baddegama
Telephone: +94 91 229 2346
Mass Times
Sunday – 8.30am
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday- 4.30 pm
Thursday –
Friday –4.30 pm
Saturday – 7.30 am
Bishop Van Reeth forwarded a letter of recommendation to Monsignor Dr. Zaleski Apostolic Delegate requesting that the Cross of the Knights of St Gregory the Great be awarded to Mr. William Abeysundere. Mr. William Abeysundera an outstanding citizen of Galle a pride of the Catholics, a generous benefactor of the Church of Galle of which he was the Muppu Church respected him as distinguished gentleman. Evening 7″ of May 1898 in the Cathedral Church of Galle, in the presence of a large gathering the Papal Brief was read by Right Rev Bishop Van Reeth and presented the insignia of the Order of St. Gregory to the New Knight, the Bishop was assisted by Bishop Pagnani OSB the Bishop of Kandy. The Oblate Fathers from the diocese of Colombo and some Secular Priests and two Christian Brothers also graced the occasion. Mr. William Abeysundere was made a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great to the gratification of all the people. including even the Buddhist and Protestants. On the following day a Solemn religious function was conducted at Halpatota. Mr. Abeysundera who possesses a large estate at Halpatota has built a church dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes on a hill. At the foot of the hill close to a fountain he has erected a Grotto adorned with a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes The Solemn blessing of the Church and Grotto on the 8th of May 1898, all the priests and the bishop went to Halpatota with large gathering of people.
Bishop Van Reeth performed the rites of the blessing of the church and Bishop Pagnani OSB celebrated the Pontifical High Mass. Then the blessing of Grotto and the fountain and in the afternoon seven natives were baptized.
It had been dependent on the Parish of Ganegama a resident Priest had been there from 1907. Residence Priests:
1) Rev Fr. Vincent Fernando was First Resident priest at Halpatota (1907-1924)
2) Rev. Fr. Albert Stach SJ. was the Second Resident Priest (1934-1937)
3) Rev. Fr. Alfred Fernando was the third Resident Priest (He is the Brother of Fr. Vincent Feranando) (1939-1950)
4) Rev. Fr. Basil Corera S.J. was the fourth Resident Priest (1959)
According to the survey in 1910 May 26th there were only 311 Catholics. Rev Fr. Vincent Fernando was in charge of the station at Halpatota who is a good priest and hard worker. Fr. Vincent Fernando had an Orphanage at the foot of the Halpatota church. In 2017 we completed 120 years of our beloved Church Halpatota. Also we are celebrating 125 years of our journey of Faith in our diocese. During this 120 years there were many priests who served and worked hard to bring up the parish and serve our faithful.
Today we have been blessed by Our Blessed Mother Our Lady of Lourdes and successful in our Mission. In 2018 Halapatota Parish grown up to 200-300 people. Also we have ongoing programs to have Youth Association, Catechetical Programs, Socio Economic Programs and Parish Council. Development: In 2017 In front of the Church we were able to erect the Stations of the Cross for the Lenten worship of our people., In 2017 for the Jubilee Year a monument was built in front of the Church in honor of St Joseph Vaz.
In August 2018 a shrine room was built placing a Holy relic which is from the Grotto of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, France. There are two Convents: One is managed by the Sisters of Charity helping the mentally retarded children and other one is Managed by the Divine Mercy Sisters. In 2008 March 18, St. Joseph Vaz Sinhala Theologate was blessed and declared open for the ongoing education of Clergy and laity.