Bens OBA, British Columbia - ANNUAL REPORT 2010 -2011
MEMBERSHIP: We extend a cordial welcome to the following who joined our OBA during the year- Richard De Zoysa (Victoria) Gerard Ruston (Edmonton) Kalinga Rajathamby & Clement Peris (Calgary).
MEETINGS: The Council and Dance committee meetings were hosted by Desmond & Cynthia Anthonypillai, John & Sharon Fernando and Eugene & Anne Motha.
FINANCE: Membership fees & donations constitute the main segment of revenue which however will be augmented by the envisaged surplus from Bens Anniversary Nite 2011.
MEMBERS NITE: Members and their families relished the bonhomie & camaraderie in the bonds of fellowship reminiscing of their yesteryears at St. Benedict’s College.
DOOR IS OPEN: Old Bens stalwart Gaston & Shirley Rajakaruna (Calgary) have evinced exemplary generosity in sponsoring the project from October 2010 to December 2011.The monthly meal to the less fortunate in our social milieu is carried out by the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa) under the aegis of our OBA. The activity of our OBA in carrying out 4 previous projects on a successful note inspired our benefactors.
OBU Colombo: Our OBA President was re-appointed a Vice Patron for 2010/2011 and recipient of the Benefactors award at the Lasallian awards ceremony held at St. Benedict’s College hall on October 16 ‘10 with the Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers from Rome being the Distinquished Guest.
GLOBAL BENEDICTINE TSUNAMI PROJECT: In the backdrop of the beneficiaries having completed their studies Mr.& Mrs. Vijay Tharmarajah kindly consented at the behest of our President to send a special donation to assist in the education of deserving students in the school.
RETIRED CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FUND: Encomiums continue to be received from the Brothers community and Old Bens to all members of our OBA in Canada & USA for their vision in establishing the Fund which has been of immense help to the Brothers in the twilight of their lives having served selflessly in the Lasallian vineyard. A sum of Rs. 445,000 representing accrued interest has been handed over to the Provincial Visitor since 2008.
OBA WEBSITE: Our sincere gratitude to Roshan Irugalbandara for continuing to maintain the site efficiently despite the pressure of work. The site has won accolades for its lively presentation and the availability of Ben news on a continuing basis.
BENS ANNIVERSARY NITE 2011: The Dinner Dance on May 28,’11 was voted a resounding success with an excellent mix of delectable food, pulsating music by DynaMix and ably anchored by our versatile emcee OBA VP Michael Ramanaden. The finesse and class associated with Bens Nite earned encomiums from our regular patrons and those who made their debut with the Bens – CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DANCE COMMITTEE.
BENS AQUATIC CENTRE: The centre was ceremoniously opened on July 9, 2010 marking another milestone in the saga of worldwide Benedictine fraternity.
We thank all our members & families in Western Canada & Western USA for their unflinching loyalty and upholding the Green & White with innate pride.
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President: Eric Motha
Vice President: Michael Ramanaden
Secretary: Desmond Anthonypillai
Asst.Secretary (Sports & Social) : John A Fernando
Treasurer: Manoranjan Rasiah
Committee: Ranjit De Vaz,Eugene Motha & Prabath Pullay
Auditor: Shehan Salgadoe
A special”Thank You” to members & spouses who attended the AGM/FELLOWSHIP and helped in the arrangements to make it a pleasant evening in the tradition of the BENS.
Eric Motha
_________________________________________________________________________________15th Annual General Meeting of St. Benedict’s College OBA – BC Branch
Notice is hereby given that the 15th Annual General Meeting of St. Benedict’s College OBA – BC Branch will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 commencing 6:45 pm at the Sagewood Amenities Centre, 8638 – 159 St. Surrey BC (On 159 St. between Fraser Hwy & 88th Ave.)
The Agenda for the meeting will be as follows:
- To read notice convening the meeting.
- To read and confirm minutes of the 14th Annual General Meeting held on June 27, 2010.
- To receive and adopt the annual report of the Council of Management.
- To receive the Financial Statement for the year ended March 31, 2011 and the Auditor’s report thereon.
- To consider and approve amendments to the Constitution, if any.
- To elect office-bearers for the ensuing year.
- To appoint an Honorary Auditor
- To transact any other business of which due notice has been given to the General Secretary, in writing, 14
- days prior to the date of the meeting.
NOTE: Section 12(3) of the Constitution reads as follows:
Notice of any motion to be placed before the meeting shall be given at least fourteen days before the meeting. Such notice shall be presented at the General Meeting only on approval of the Council.
Desmond Anthonypillai
Hon. Secretary
June 10, 2011
P.S: The meeting will be followed by fellowship and dinner. Adults: $ 7.50
Please confirm with me or Eric Motha by July 2. Thanks.
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REV. BRO. ALEXANDER CYRILLUS FSC, De La Salle Brother, former Director of De Mezenod College, Kandana, St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, St. Anthony’s College, Wattala, St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, and the fomer Provincial Visitor (from 1979 to 1981) passed away peacefully. His remains will be at the Provincialate Chapel, 130, De La Salle Street, Colombo 15, from 10 a.m. on Sunday 9th January to 10 a.m. on Monday 10th January, where a Holy Mass will be clebrated at 6 p.m. on Sunday. His mortal remains will be taken to St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Monday after funeral mass at 02.30 p.m. at the Cathedral, burial will take place at Madampitiya Cemetery. (The funeral procession will proceed on Bloemendhal Road).
Source: Daily Mirror on-line edition Monday 10th January 2011
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Rev. Bro. Alexander passes away
St Benedict’s Old Boys Union announces the passing away of Past Director Rev Bro Alexander Cyrillus FSC, (De La Salle Brother). The St Benedict’s College OBU in a release states:
”Rev Bro Alexander was one of the great Past Directors of St Benedict’s College and under his leadership the College saw many enhancements and expansion of its facilities.
”An educational colossus in his own right, the death of Rev Bro Alexander leaves a void that may never be filled.”
His mortal remains will be taken to St Benedict’s College, Kotahena today, January 10 at 11 am and thereafter will be taken to St Lucia’s Cathedral for service at 2.30 pm.
The funeral procession will leave St Lucia’s Cathedral and proceed along Bloemendhal Road for burial at the Madampitiya cemetery.
Source : on-line edition of the daily news – 10th January 2011
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The following members/spouses participated:
Desmond Anthonypillai, Aubrey Blake, Franz & Rosemarie Lorage, Rohan & Fenella De Vaz, Patrick & Betty Livera, Michael Ramanaden, Eugene Motha, John & Sharon Fernando, Shehan Salgadoe, Manoranjan Rasiah, Ligouri Motha, Augustine Morais, Desmond Don Paul and Eric & Pushparanee Motha.
Messages of inability to attend were received from Ranjit De Vaz, Greg Motha, Prabath Pullay, Rodney Robinson & Roshan Irugalbandara (3 members from BC are out of the country at present).
The office-bearers for 2010/11 were elected:
- Patron Rev.Bro.Director – St.Benedict’s College, Colombo
- President: Eric Motha
- Vice President: Michael Ramanaden
- Secretary: Desmond Anthonypillai
- Treasurer: Manoranjan Rasiah
- Asst. Sports/Social Secretary: John A Fernando
- Committee: Ranjit De Vaz, Eugene Motha, Prabath Pullay, Rohan De Vaz & Augustine Morais
- Auditor: Shehan Salgadoe
Old Ben John NLC Fernando who was visiting Vancouver was a special guest at the meeting.
The fellowship that followed was buoyant with members reminiscing of their former mentors and classmates
I wish to thank all those who were present for their commitment and togetherness, hallmarks of a viable society.
The OBA will be completing 15 years of existence in September and we look forward to an eventful year ahead with the continued patronage of our members and their families.
Eric Motha
President – OBA West Coast
Vice Patron- OBU Sri Lanka
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Subject : Retired Christian Brothers Fund
Dear member/benefactor and friends,
The letter from the Provincial Visitor of the La Salle Brothers in Sri Lanka is a “Thank You’ note to those who contributed generously (including the Ben who remains Anonymous) and each of you who shared our OBA’s vision of expressing our token of appreciation to the Christian Brothers who moulded us during our student days at St.Benedict’s. It is also appropriate to record our OBA’s appreciation to Messrs. Roy Perera, Anton Perera & Sunimal Salgadoe who held the post of Treasurer and other members of the College Development Fund for handling the monies sent to the DTF in a professional manner ,with regular financial updates and ensuring the sums allocated were sent to Rev.Bro.Visitor as requested.
Eric Motha
Sunday, September 20
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From: DLS Provincialate – Colombo
Subject: Retired Christian Brothers Fund
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 1:32 PM
Mr. Eric Motha
President - St. Benedict’s College, OBA - British Columbia, Canada
Dear Mr. Eric Motha,
Subject : Retired Christian Brothers Fund
Greetings and love from Sri Lanka. Thank you very much for your letter dated the 14th August 209. We received it only on 18th September 2009. I appreciate your greetings on my appointment as the Provincial Visitor. Please pray that I may execute my duties to the best of my ability.
We sincerely thank you for inaugurating an Elderly Brothers’ Fund to help our retired Brothers. We appreciate your generosity and good will. During the last few years we received a substantial amount of money from your Fund through S.B.C. Development fund. Recently we got another Rs. 100000/= Accept our heartfelt thanks for the same.
We Brothers are happy to have a set of Old Bens of your calibre. All the Brothers in Sri Lanka are grateful to your magnanimous gesture.
You are always in our prayers. May God bless you,
Thanking you.
Your Sincerely
Provincial Visitor.
