Very Rev Fr. JOE DE MEL (Chairman, ‘Samata Sarana’, former Vicar General, Archdiocese of Colombo, Former Rector, National Seminary Ampitiya). Youngest son of late Thomas and Clara de Mel, Brother of Claire, Royce, Maurice, Etta, Rodney, Carl and Cletus (pre deceased) entered Eternal Rest. Remains will be at Samata Sarana, 531, Aluthmawatta, Road, Mutwal, Colombo – 15, from Saturday, 22nd to Monday 24th of March 2014. After Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday 24th March at 8.00 a.m. Cortege will proceed to Sacred Heart Chapel, Archbishop’s House, Borella. Holy Mass at Archbishop’s House at 2.00 p.m. followed by Final Rites at Kanatte, RC Section. No flowers by request. Donations to Samata Sarana.
March 21, 2014 – News has reached us of the passing of Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel – a colossus among mankind and well known humanitarian known to many. Coming from a renowned Roman Catholic family he joined the priesthood and continued his vocation to help the poor and set up "Samata Sarana" – an orphanage for the poor and destitute.
Cover photo shows Fr. Joe with his illustrious brothers> The de Mel brothers (standing from left): Cletus de Mel, Carl de Mel, Rev. Fr. Joe de Mel. (Seated from left): Rodney de Mel, Royce de Mel, Maurice de Mel.
Dear All,
With great sadness we announce the demise of our beloved Old Joe, Rev.Fr.Joe De Mel this (21st) afternoon. The body will be brought to Semata Sarana main Center at No. 531, Aluthmawatha Road Mutwal, Colombo – 15. (Phone: 0094-11-252 4583 Fax: 0094-11-252 3046) at 9.00 am on Saturday the 22nd and remain there till Monday.
On Monday the 24th at 9.00 am the body will be brought to Archbishops House, Borella.Holy Mass would be celebrated at 2.00 pm on Monday the 24th and thereafter burial at the General Cemetery, Borella.
As we all know Fr.Joe is a legendary Old Joe and as such we request your gratuitous presence at all above times and most importantly for your prayerful participation at the Holy Mass at Archbishops House on Monday 2.00 pm preferably in the OBU /College tie.
Please circulate to all Old Joe's in your mailing list.
May the Grace of God and Peace be with you.SenakaSenaka Ranasinghe (Justice of Peace – All Island )
Tel : +94 757723900, +94 770445629.
skype Phone : senakaskype
John 3 : 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave us his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
