Memory of FOUNDER

 

Fr. Michael Catalano SJ  Founder of SHANTI

NAMING PRIMARY SCHOOL AFTER FR. MICHAEL CATALANO

Dedication of the Primary School via Tripoli to Father Michele Catalano, sj on December 15, 2015. The Civic Administration together with the 1st Didactic ” Don Pietro Pappagallo ” and the Association-Un Mondo Di Bene- ” A World of Good ” see a dream come true . The dedication will be an opportunity not only to remember but to keep alive the ideals and work of such a great missionary.

Marina Cagnetta, Councillor

Department of Culture, City of Terlizzi

Via Marconi 37/39

70038 Terlizzi ( Barri )

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0epBoYcIl9S3vrCz_7UBjA

[Renato Brucoli’s feature on Padre Michele Catalano]

Fr. Michele Catalano, born on 06/01/1926 in Terlizzi in the Province of Barri in Italy. A member of the Society of Jesus since 28/12/1945; ordained a Jesuit Priest on 24/03/1958. He worked for the poorest of the poor in Sri Lanka for 51 years showering his unconditional love on them.

 

Father Catalano fell ill and was taken on 06 June 2009 to the Corato Hospital,Italy.

 He died on 14/12/2009

 His mortal remains have been laid to rest in Terlizzi.

He leaves behind his sisters Lucia & Franca Catalano

AN ODE TO DEAR FATHER CATALANO 

How can I believe you have died and left us forever? 

I have had the greatest fortune, in this crazy world, to have met you and worked with you

People told us we were crazy to work for the homeless and unwanted people in

This slum area in the south of Colombo! And you would say:

Yes we are crazy, we love being crazy but we are helping others who have nothing but problems.

You gave me hope and understanding; you gave me a new life worth living for 

You took time to teach me what true life really is,

You showed me the joy and the reward in helping others,

The satisfaction you get from just making others happy,

To see their eyes sparkle.

You gave hope and understanding to thousands of others, you did not choose,

You walked among your people!

Drug addicts, elders, children, many of them homeless, young and old, mothers and fathers.

To you they were all the same, no one was special you always told them.

You are my people, my brothers & sisters 

Fr. Catalano, you are an exceptional man with white hair, gentle and a smiling glance.

He said, 

…here you can meet Jesus, eye to eye , face to face

In the poor, ill or hungry, drug addict, prostitute or prisoner

I always remember you told us

Please don’t look at their colour, don’t look at their caste, don’t look at their religion

Don’t look at who they are or where they come from.

Find out what they need, listen to them

Look through the evil and find the goodness in them,

They need help, we must give them help, it is not complicated

This was your way, your style

You came from another country and gave your heart and your life for others.

We thank you and praise you for your wonderful work.

It is only your tired body that has died, you still live in my heart

I love you and think of you every day.

I will cherish my memories of you forever

With much love

sujee 

Fr. Michele Catalano founded SHANTI on 16 July 1977 – a non sectarian, non political & non-profit making voluntary social service organization as a conduit to convey the LOVE of the Supreme Being to the sad, the lonely & the forgotten.

The Spirit of the Lord leavens man and elevates the temperature of LOVE in the world              

Fr. Michael Catalano sj