C’était l’année 1908… à la suite de la demande du Père Oulic, le curé de cette époque et en réponse à l’appel pressant de la communauté paroissiale, les Sœurs de la Sainte-Famille furent envoyées planter leur tente au milieu du peuple de Burullapitiya .
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It was in the year 1908 at the fervent request of Rev. Father Oulic the then, Parish Priest, and in response to the earnest appeal of the parish community, the Holy Family Sisters, were commissioned to pitch their tent among the people in the village at Burullapitiya. The parish family warmly welcomed the Sisters arrival. On the part of the pioneer sisters, they laid a solid foundation strengthened with abundant blessings from heaven and constant support from the congregation.
Imbibed with the Spirit of God Alone, rooted in the Holy Family values, filled with zeal and enthusiasm the sisters launched out courageously in the onerous task of attending to the needs of the people in the village.
Among the many services they rendered from the very inception, educating the young of the area took priority. The Sisters dedicated themselves in school education imparting holistic and sound knowledge to the young in the village.
The parish community and also the entire village irrespective of cast or creed were delighted to reap the benefits of the sisters venture, and to have their young under the able guidance of the Sisters.
The simple, modest life style, modeled after the Holy Family of Nazareth, supported by prayer, communion in community and vowed commitment bore a silent but a clear witness to the people, and this was also the steady means the sisters employed to reach their goals.
What was begun well over hundred years is being continued with greater enthusiasm and better understanding up to this day. Promotion of unity in diversity, aware of the dignity of the human person, living the call to communion in life giving relationships with all human beings and eventually with the whole of creation is in progress through their life and works.
SOME OF THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
At present the Sisters at Burullapitiya community are engaged in various of apostolates. Sunday schools, nursery school, family apostolate and visits, literacy and skill training to adults, women groups, seeing to basic needs of the community such as shelter to the homeless to mention a few. Among the parish ministries the P. B. Noailles family too is being promoted bringing spiritual vitality among the lay associates, children of the Holy Family and youth of the Holy Family.
The hundred years of service and our presence in the village could be considered a gracious gift of God to the Holy Family. We rejoice on this special occasion of the centenary of our Community at Burullapitiya and Praise the Triune God for the numerous opportunities and countless blessings given to us make the dream of our dear Founder a reality in our midst.