Sri Lankan Catholic Community in Qatar Celebrates Feast of St. Joseph Vaz; Chilaw Bishop Presides over Mass
In a moving celebration of faith and pastoral accountability, the Sri Lankan Catholic community in Qatar gathered on January 23, 2026, to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph Vaz. The High Mass, held at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Doha, was presided over by Bishop Wimalsiri Jayasuriya of Chilaw, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The service, conducted in both Sinhala and Tamil, resonated deeply with the migrant workforce, as the Bishop addressed the raw realities of life abroad through a message centered on “Invitation and Response.”
A Theology of Invitation
During his homily, Bishop Jayasuriya distilled the essence of the Bible into two core realities: God’s invitation and the human response.
“God extends an invitation through every event, every trial, and every person we encounter in our daily lives,” the Bishop explained. He highlighted the life of St. Joseph Vaz, who did not merely pray from afar when he learned of the suffering of Catholics in Sri Lanka. Instead, he responded by traveling to a foreign land, embracing an unfamiliar culture and language, guided solely by his trust in God.
Addressing the congregation—many of whom are domestic workers and laborers—the Bishop spoke directly to their personal struggles:
“You may be facing illness, family conflicts, debt, or workplace difficulties that move you to tears. You can view these negatively, or you can see them as moments where God is inviting you to listen. A negative response offers no answers and can even lead to self-destruction. Instead, open your heart to what God is saying through your struggle.”
A Rare Gesture of Transparency
During the offertory, when the Sri Lankan community in Qatar presented a donation to support the work of the Diocese of Chilaw, Bishop Jayasuriya requested Fr. Bennett Shaantha, chaplain to the Sri Lankan Catholic community in the region, to publicly announce the exact amount of the contribution.
Observers noted that this gesture of openness regarding “the people’s money” was a refreshing demonstration of pastoral accountability and transparency on the part of the shepherd to his flock.
Breaking Tradition for Inclusion
In a departure from the usual practice in Gulf churches—where announcements typically invite only Catholics to approach for Holy Communion—the Bishop extended an invitation to those of other faiths, or to those not receiving the Sacrament, to come forward for a blessing.
“If you wish to receive a blessing, please come forward with your hands crossed over your chest,” he said, explaining that this gesture enables him to recognize and offer a spiritual blessing to all present, regardless of status or denomination.
“Do Not Burden the People”
A significant highlight of the visit was shared by Fr. Bennett Shaantha, who spoke of the Bishop’s firm stance on fundraising. Following the devastation caused by Cyclone ‘Dithwa’ in the Diocese of Chilaw, Fr. Bennett had sought permission to collect relief funds from the migrant community in Qatar.
Bishop Jayasuriya declined the request, saying, “The people living abroad already carry their own burdens—debts, responsibilities, and struggles. Do not place additional weight on their shoulders by asking for their money.”
Reiterating this position during his address, the Bishop stated emphatically, “Bishops and priests are not here to take from the people; we are here to give to the people.”
The celebrations concluded with a procession carrying the statue of St. Joseph Vaz, followed by a fellowship gathering. In a final gesture of humility and solidarity, the Bishop marked his birthday by cutting a cake together with members of the congregation who were also celebrating birthdays or wedding anniversaries during the month of January.
